5 Days Chongqing & Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Private Chongqing tour blending urban discovery & the famous Three Gorges River Cruise

5 Days Chongqing & Yangtze River Cruise Tour

5.0

★★★★★

(640 + reviews)

99.9% Excellence

TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Winner
13 Years in a Row

Experience one of China’s most iconic river journeys with a professional private guide who remains with you throughout. This five-day tour begins in Chongqing with a guided exploration of the city’s hidden history—medieval temples, Republican-era streets, and night views of the glittering skyline. Then you board your private cruise and travel downstream through the legendary Three Gorges, visiting Fengdu Ghost City, the historic White Emperor City, the emerald Shennv Stream, and China’s monumental Three Gorges Dam.

Unlike standard group cruises where you manage your own logistics, your English-speaking guide coordinates everything: airport and hotel transfers, cruise boarding, shore excursions, timing, and cultural context at each stop. You travel on a shared cruise ship, but your experience remains entirely personal and professionally managed.

Tour Highlights

Discover All Five Days of Your Private Tour

Your five-day Chongqing and Yangtze River cruise combines urban exploration with four transformative days on China's most iconic waterway. Each destination is carefully selected and expertly guided — from Chongqing's hidden history to the legendary Three Gorges.

Your professional English-speaking guide remains with you throughout the entire journey, providing cultural context, managing all logistics, and helping you experience each location like a true insider.

Chongqing city skyline and urban landscape

Chongqing's Medieval & Modern Blend

Discover where old Chongqing lives in the modern city. Visit Arhat Temple, an active Buddhist space hidden in the downtown center. Explore Longmenhao Old Street and step back into the 1920s Republic era. End your day with night views of the illuminated skyline and the Yangtze River winding below.

Yangtze River cruise vessel on the water

Four Nights on the Yangtze River

Board your premium cruise vessel and spend four transformative days on China's most storied river. Your professional guide coordinates all shore excursions, manages timing, and provides expert insight at every stop. Cruise through dramatic gorges, visit legendary sites, and experience the Yangtze at a pace designed entirely for you.

Fengdu Ghost City temples and statues built into cliffside

Fengdu Ghost City: Ancient Beliefs in Stone

Fengdu Ghost City is built according to traditional Chinese geomancy principles. Statues, temples, and carved artwork reflect ancient Chinese beliefs about the netherworld and afterlife. Walking through Fengdu is like stepping into a different spiritual dimension where culture and history are carved into every corner.

Qutang Gorge with towering sandstone cliffs

White Emperor City & Qutang Gorge

The White Emperor City fortress rises from the river's edge, its cliffs immortalised on China's 10-yuan banknote. This historic stronghold connects you to centuries of Yangtze history and poetry. Nearby, cruise through the spectacular Qutang Gorge where the river narrows between towering sandstone peaks.

Shennv Stream narrow gorge with emerald water

Shennv Stream: Emerald Tributary Adventure

Shennv Stream is the Yangtze's most beautiful tributary—a narrow gorge of clear emerald water winding through deep mountain valleys. You'll board a smaller boat to navigate this intimate passage, discovering untouched forest scenery and the peaceful rhythm of a river far removed from the modern world.

Three Gorges Dam massive engineering structure

Three Gorges Dam: Engineering Marvel

Visit one of the world's largest engineering projects. Access the observation platform to witness the Three Gorges Dam's vast scale and understand how this monumental structure changed the Yangtze River's ecology and the lives of millions. It's a powerful reminder of human ambition and environmental consequence.

Your Detailed tour itnerary

An immersive 8-day private expedition charting China’s most captivating destinations—from the vibrant energy of Chongqing to the breathtaking landscapes that inspired Avatar. This journey combines cultural immersion, legendary river cruising, and some of Earth’s most spectacular natural wonders. Experience ancient spiritual traditions, modern engineering marvels, and landscapes so stunning you’ll understand why Chinese poets have celebrated these mountains for millennia.

Explore every moment of your Chongqing to Zhangjiajie adventure below. Click to expand each day for detailed activities and insider tips.

DAY 1: Chongqing Arrival & Half Day City Exploration

TOUR DETAILS

Explore the Mountain City

Your professional guide and driver greet you at Chongqing airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, discover Chongqing’s layered history:

Luohan Temple – Visit this active Buddhist temple hidden in the modern city center to see medieval traditions still practiced today
Longmenhao Old Street – Walk the atmospheric streets to experience Chongqing’s 1920s-era Republic character
Panoramic View of Chongqing Night Views – Ascend to a famous 520 Sightseeing Platform and watch the city lights illuminate the Yangtze River winding below

Your guide will share stories and historical context at each stop.

INCLUDED

Hotel transfers, temple and street visits, skyscraper access, professional guide, private vehicle.

Day 2: Pandas, Three Gorges Museum & Cruise Boarding

TOUR DETAILS

Yangtze River Cruise

In the morning, visit the adorable giant pandas at Chongqing Zoo and have a tea break at a local tea house.

In the afternoon, visit Three Gorges Museum and learn about the Yangtze River’s history, ecology, ancient civilizations, and the legendary Three Gorges Dam. This preparation helps you understand what you’ll see on the river.

Late afternoon, transfer to Chongqing’s cruise pier. Your guide helps you check in, settle your cabin, and orient you to the ship. The vessel departs in the evening.

INCLUSION

Entrance Tickets and guide orientation, hotel-to-pier transfer, cruise boarding assistance.

Day 3: Fengdu Ghost City & Onboard Culture

TOUR DETAILS

Yangtze River Cruise

Optional Morning Tai Chi

Join ship-based Tai Chi classes at sunrise (optional).

Fengdu Ghost City Shore Excursion

Visit Fengdu Ghost City, built according to traditional Chinese geomancy. Explore temples, statues, and carved artwork reflecting ancient Chinese beliefs about the netherworld and afterlife. Your guide explains the spiritual significance of each site.

Onboard Activities

Return to the ship for afternoon cultural activities: calligraphy demonstrations, cooking shows, river history lectures, or craft demonstrations.

Optional Evening Show

Attend “War Fires of the Three Kingdoms,” a historical drama (optional, may have additional cost).

Inclusions

Fengdu Ghost City shore excursion, full board ship meals, onboard activities, English speaking guide support.

Day 4: Three Gorges Cruising & Shennv Stream

TOUR DETAILS

Yangtze River Cruises

Optional White Emperor City

If interested in history and calligraphy, visit White Emperor City, a historic fortress whose cliffs appear on China’s 10-yuan banknote. See centuries-old stone inscriptions and panoramic views (optional, may have additional cost).

Qutang Gorge & Wu Gorge Cruise

Cruise through two of the Three Gorges’ most dramatic passages at noon. Towering sandstone cliffs rise on both sides. Wu Gorge is known for its beauty and romantic atmosphere. Spend the afternoon photographing and enjoying the views from your cabin or observation decks.

Shennv Stream Afternoon Excursion

Transfer to a smaller boat and travel upstream through Shennv Stream, a narrow emerald tributary surrounded by dense forest and towering cliffs. Enjoy the tranquility and untouched landscape. (2-3 hours)

Optional Crew Show

Evening Crew Cabaret and Talent Show featuring ship staff performances (optional).

INCLUSIONS

Qutang and Wu Gorge cruising, Shennv Stream shore excursion, full board ship meals, English speaking guide support throughout.

Day 5: Three Gorges Dam & Yichang Departure

TOUR DETAILS

Disembark & Yichang Departure

Your cruise ship arrives at Yichang early morning. Disembark at Maoping Pier where your guide meets you.

Three Gorges Dam Shore Excursion

Visit one of the world’s largest engineering projects. Access the observation platform and witness the dam’s massive scale. Your guide explains the dam’s history, power generation role, environmental impact, and significance to modern China.

Transfer to Airport/Railway Station

Your private driver transfers you to Yichang’s tourist center, then to the airport or railway station in time for your departure.

INCLUSIONS

Ship disembarkation, Three Gorges Dam platform access, expert guide explanation, private transfers to departure point.

Inclusions & Offers

English-speaking local guides

Private transfers with professional driver during the tour

Entrance fees and government taxes

Meals during the Yangtze River Cruises with optional meals package based on your preference during the tour in Chongqing

Round-the-clock, on-call support from Wendy Wei Tours Team

Not Included

International flights & China visa

Domestic flights & high-speed train tickets arriving in Chongqing or departing from Yichang

Hotels & meals if you prefer to book on your own

Tips & gratuities for guide & driver (for excellent service only)

Travel insurance (we can arrange with additional fees if requested)

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What Our Clients Say About Us

Tom J

Professional, Thoughtful, and Truly Memorable Experience

★★★★★

I contacted four tour agencies while planning my trip to Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, and Chongqing. I decided to book with Wendy Wei Tours because their service seemed the best overall. They were not the cheapest option, but the pricing was also not the most expensive. What I truly appreciated was how clear and responsive our email conversations were. Wendy put enormous effort into meeting all our needs and requests, offered excellent suggestions I would never have thought of myself, and put together a beautifully designed, highly professional tour proposal…

Lisa L

Fabulous Trip to China

★★★★★

We traveled to China for 11 days with Wendy Wei Tours and could not have had a better experience. From start to finish everything went smoothly and professionally. Sherry was our travel consultant at WWT. She was so very patient with our planning and changes. She knew we wanted to see as much as we could and helped us with a full itinerary, making adjustments as needed with our train and flight bookings. She was extremely professional…

Been K

Our Top Pick For a Trip to China

★★★★★

We have previously worked with Wendy Wei Tours to send our clients to explore this beautiful country, and the experience throughout the entire planning process has been smooth and responsive. Over the past two years, we have sent six groups to China for 14-day tours covering Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, and Hong Kong, and every trip has been a complete success. All of their guides and drivers are professional, caring, and truly exceptional. We have received 100% positive feedback from our customers…

Rated 5 of 5 based on over 640+ reviews on