A Yangtze cruise is the best way to experience the legendary Yangtze River. As the third longest river in the world after the Nile and Amazon, the 6,300 km Yangtze plunges from the Tibetan plateau to flow through the exquisitely beautiful and dramatic Three Gorges region on its way to Shanghai ending in the East China Sea. A Yangtze river cruise will take you through a variety of beautiful areas in the region, giving you a closer look at the many faces of China.

Yangtze River cruise travelers will be happy to learn that the Yangtze’s Three Gorges region boasts some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, with misty mountains, breathtaking gorges, lush green bamboo groves and serene riverbanks. Along its long and winding course lie some of China’s greatest cultural treasures and natural wonders. It bisects the country and has historically marked the division between north and south China.

The most dramatic part of the River is the Three Gorges region; all Yangtze cruise itineraries include a cruise along this 240 km stretch. The three larger gorges on the Yangtze are the Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three with the most spectacular scenery; the Wu Gorge, noted for its magnificent lush green mountains frequently shrouded in mist, and the Xiling Gorge, at 75 km the longest of the three, with narrow, precipitous cliffs. In addition to the three large gorges, you will take a special cruise boat up the Daning River through the Lesser Three Gorges or along the narrow Shennong Stream. Narrower than the great gorges, the canyon scenery is even more dramatic, and Yangtze River cruise travelers can see a number of historical sites along the way like hanging coffins and the ancient plank road carved into the cliffside. The Three Gorges experience on your Yangtze cruise also includes a visit to the dramatic 12-story red Shibaozhai Temple perched alongside the Yangtze, and a tour of the immense Three Gorges Dam project site and museum.

The Three Gorges Dam, was originally envisioned by China’s first president Sun Yat-sen, to  help control flooding along the Yangtze River, which had been a major problem for people living nearby. The rainy season in China is May - June south of the Yangtze River and July - August north of it, creating a four-month flooding season. Touring the Three Gorges Dam is one of the highlights of any Yangtze River cruise; because of the monumental scale and ambitious nature of the project.
 

Day 1. After morning visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Base, transfer to Chengdu Eastern Train station for express train D5116 departs at 14:10 to Chongqing, 16:09 arrive in Chongqing and pick up and transfer to Chaotianmen Dock, boarding the boat 17:00-20:00 and the cruiser departs at 21:00.
Day 2. Morning sore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City on Mingshan Hill or optional excursion to Shibaozhai Temple
Day 3. Sail through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge and shore excursion to Shennong Stream from 1 pm to 3 pm, optional excursion to White Emperor City, and late afternoon sail through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Locks
Day 4. Morning excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, after lunch, disembark in Yichang and finish the trip.

We spent the second and third day in Wu Long county, where is  far away from the city but quiet and beautiful. As the only entrance in chongqing to the three gorges, Wu Long is in the very north part of chongiqng and nearly next to Hu Bei Province.

It took us 6 hours to get there by bus. and we rested in a hotel right by the river at night after a short walk enjoying the little town. It is new, taking place of theold  town, which is already submerged into the water in 2000 when the dam was into use.

we took a cruise to go inside the three gorges, which was a really natural wonder, totally magnificent and stunning.

Jim loved the red maple leaves spreading all around the mountains. We were lucky to go at the right time for the maple to turn red.