Yangtze River Guide & Cruises

The mighty Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest river in the world at 3917 miles (6300 km) and home to more than 300 million people, stretching through China's most enchanting historic, cultural and culinary treasures.

The currents of the Yangtze River made travel very difficult until the early 1900s, when the British Paddle-Steamer S.S. Pioneer was the first to make the upstream trip to Chongqing without oars in the winter season. Today, the waters of the Yangtze are an engineering marvel due to the development of the Three Gorges Dam, China's largest construction project since the Great Wall and now the largest dam in the world, producing energy equal to fifteen nuclear power plants.

A cruise down the Yangtze is an excellent way to see a large area of China in a short time and most will sail through the breathtaking Three Gorges with its incredible vertical cliffs and see the huge dam. Cruises often start in Chongqing, China's capital during World War II. High-rise buildings stand in stark contrast to the nearby Dazu Rock Carvings, a World Heritage Site dating back to the 7th century. Explore the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, visit Xian, home of the famous Terra Cotta Army and maybe see giant pandas in a zoo. Experience village life along the river banks, floating villages and urban jungles, ancient temples, impressive historical sights and admire the beauty of the mountains. A Yangtze cruise is a truly unique voyage.