Chongqing & Yangtze Discovery Cruise

Travel from Xi'an to Chongqing and meet the private transfer on arrival. After hotel check-in, begin around Jiefangbei, the commercial heart of the city, then walk through Bayi Food Street for a first introduction to Chongqing noodles, hotpot, and other local flavours.

Continue after dark to Hongya Cave and the Qiansimen Bridge, where hillside buildings, river traffic, and illuminated bridges reveal Chongqing's vertical geography. Finish at Jiangbeizui Riverside Park for broad views across the Jialing River before returning to the hotel.

Begin at Chongqing Zoo with time in the giant-panda area, then continue to Liziba Light Rail Station and Eling Second Factory. These stops combine the city's best-known wildlife with the monorail, hillside roads, former industrial spaces, and elevated viewpoints that define modern Chongqing.

After lunch, walk through Shibati and a section of the Mountain City Trail before continuing to Chaotianmen Pier. Board the Yangtze cruise in the late afternoon, attend the safety briefing, dine on board, and watch the illuminated skyline recede as the ship begins its downstream journey.

Begin with breakfast on board as the river landscape opens beyond Chongqing. Disembark for a guided visit to Fengdu Ghost City, where temples, gates, and sculpted figures express a distinctive mixture of Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, and folk beliefs about judgement and the afterlife.

Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of river viewing and cultural activities. In the evening, attend the onboard programme scheduled for the sailing, then continue downstream toward the Three Gorges.

Sail through Qutang Gorge in the morning, watching the river narrow between high cliffs as onboard commentary introduces the geology, landmarks, and navigation history of the Three Gorges. Continue through Wu Gorge after lunch, where forested slopes and mist often frame the river.

In the afternoon, transfer to a smaller sightseeing boat for Shennv Stream. The tributary winds between steep green mountains and quiet settlements, with views toward hanging-coffin sites and side valleys before the boat returns to the main ship for dinner and the evening programme.

Disembark at Maoping Pier after breakfast and continue to the Three Gorges Dam. Visit the principal viewpoints, project museum, and flood-control memorial area while the guide explains the reservoir, locks, navigation system, and hydroelectric engineering.

Finish at the Yichang visitor centre around midday and collect the transferred luggage. The journey concludes there with a private transfer to Yichang airport or railway station according to the confirmed onward travel plan.