Cruising the Yangtze River

By Contributing Writer

Cruising the Yangtze River, one of the world's longest rivers, is an excellent way to see many of China's greatest sights, all while never having to move your luggage. A cruise down its winding waters will give travelers a view of China that only this method of transportation can offer. There are all sorts of Yangtze cruises to choose from, and side-trip options are also available that allow for more ways to experience this fascinating country.

Locations

There are numerous stretches of the river meandering all across China that can be toured. The most common area for trips is the stretch between the cities of Shanghai and Chongqing. The China Odyssey Tours link below has a very user-friendly map of the various routes that it navigates, as well as highlights of each one. You could do one of the trips or all of them.

Points of interest

A boat ride down the legendary Yangtze River will bring people directly past some of China's most important landmarks, including the Three Gorges Dam, Yueyang and its orange tower, the Ghost City and several major bridges. Majestic rural landscapes are also present throughout each trip. Visit the Yangtze River website at the link below to learn about other points of interest along the way.

Side trips

Shore excursions are common activities that accompany Yangtze River cruises. These might be a sightseeing opportunity at a historic relic, an adventure sport, a tour of a city and more. These side trips are the perfect way to explore what China has to offer visitors. Discover Yangtze (link under the References tab) gives detailed descriptions of its shore itineraries. Some may cost additional fees.

Seasonal attractions

Besides the colorful autumn leaves that can be observed in season from the deck of a Yangtze riverboat, other special attractions, foods and festivals are available only at certain times of the year as well. Seasonal foods may be served on board or at shore restaurants, and depending on water levels, some sites may become reachable that are not always so. Travelers may also be fortunate enough to partake in holiday celebrations, such as the spring Plum Blossom Festival in Wuhan or the nationwide Mid-Autumn Festival.

Length of journey

The length of a tour down the Yangtze River can vary from a few days to a few weeks. Going the whole way between Shanghai and Chongqing (and sometimes the return trip in addition) will take the longest, but many shorten the journey by doing just one or two sections of the stretch between the two cities. The longer the trip, the more expensive, of course, unless a promotional deal can be found.

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