8 Days Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise & Zhangjiajie Tour

Today you enjoy a full-day city tour to understand Chongqing’s culture and history. Begin with Three Gorges Museum, which introduces the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges area through exhibitions and models. Then admire the grand architecture of People’s Assembly Hall.

Then head to the famous Liziba Monorail Station to see the train passing through an apartment building.

Continue to Ciqikou Ancient Town, where old streets show the city’s traditional lifestyle. In the evening, return to your hotel or enjoy a local hotpot dinner.

After breakfast, you will experience the famous Yangtze River Cableway to witness the majestic Yangtze River and panoramic views of the entire city.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Chaotianmen Port, the main cruise terminal in Chongqing where the Yangtze River and Jialing River meet. Your guide will assist you with cruise check-in procedures and help you board your Yangtze River Cruise.

In the evening, the cruise sets sail from Chongqing downstream. Dinner will be served onboard, followed by a welcome briefing to introduce cruise facilities and the following days’ arrangements. You may relax on the open deck to enjoy night views along the river or join onboard activities organized by the cruise company.

This morning, you will wake up to peaceful river views as the cruise sails through the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

After breakfast, you may enjoy free time onboard, such as walking on the sundeck, attending cultural lectures, or simply relaxing while watching the scenery pass by.

Later, the cruise arrives at Fengdu Ghost City. This historic site is famous for legends about the afterlife in Chinese culture. During the guided shore excursion, you will walk through temples, stone paths, and symbolic buildings. Your guide will explain the meaning of the statues and scenes. This helps you understand this unique spiritual place.

After returning to the cruise, you will have free time to enjoy onboard entertainment or quietly admire the river view.

Today is the scenic highlight of the entire cruise. You will sail through the world-famous Three Gorges, including the magnificent Qutang Gorge, the elegant Wu Gorge, and the impressive Xiling Gorge. You can spend time on the open deck or in the observation lounge to enjoy views of narrow river passages, steep cliffs, and green mountains.

In the afternoon, you will take a smaller boat for a closer look at a tributary, such as Shennong Stream or Shennü Stream. You can see narrow valleys, hanging coffins, and natural scenery up close.

In the evening, a Captain’s Farewell Party will be held to celebrate your final night on board.

After breakfast, you will check out from your cruise and disembark at Yichang. Your first stop is the impressive Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world.

You will visit several viewing platforms to see the huge dam from different angles. Your guide will explain its critical roles in flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and navigation. We can also arrange an optional experience on the Three Gorges Ship Elevator, where you can witness how it vertically transports vessels across the dam.

After the dam visit, you will be transferred to Yichang railway station to board a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (about 5–6 hours). Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Today you explore the breathtaking landscapes of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its sandstone pillars and forest-covered mountains.

Your tour starts at Ten-mile Gallery, where unique peaks line both sides of the valley. Then you take the famous Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor lift, ascending from the valley floor to the mountaintop within minutes.

After arriving at Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, you will hike among towering stone columns and visit the renowned Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, said to have inspired scenes in the movie Avatar. From viewing platforms such as Ecstasy Terrace, you will enjoy wide panoramic views over hundreds of stone peaks.

In the afternoon, continue to Tianzi Mountain, where you will visit major viewpoints such as Helong Park and Yubi Peak. Afterwards, descend by cable car, enjoying outstanding views over forests and valleys below.

After breakfast, your tour continues to Tianmen Mountain, one of Zhangjiajie’s most famous landmarks. You will ride the world’s longest cable car system from the city center up to the mountain summit.

At the top, you will walk along the thrilling glass skywalk and enjoy dramatic views from the cliff edges. Then, take the Transmountain Escalator down to the spectacular Tianmen Cave, a huge natural arch carved into the mountain. From there, descend to Tianmen Cave Square via the escalator (or challenge yourself to walk down the famous 999 Steps ‘Stairway to Heaven’).

Afterwards, you will be transferred to Zhangjiajie airport or railway station for departure.