Places to visit along the Yangtze

The Yangtze River cruise ships are some of the most famous in the world not because of their excellent services and facilities. They are one of the most famous cruise ships because the route on which they sail is one of the most scenic routes of the world. The Yangtze River has always been hailed as a beautiful river. And to add to its beauty, the Chinese department responsible for tourism has added a number of tourist attractions on the path of the cruise ships.

So, if you plan on sailing in a Yangtze River cruise ship this summer, be sure to visit these places. Your Yangtze experience will remain incomplete until you visit these places.

The three Gorges Dam: This is the main highlight of the entire trip. This thing is so big that you won’t miss it even if you’re looking in an entirely opposite direction. The three gorges dam is the biggest dam of the world. Producing an astounding 22,000 MW of energy, this mega structure is a beauty to look at. The dam took 16 years to complete and has changed the lives of people living along the Yangtze River forever. You will get a chance to go to the viewing platform. From there you can view the entire dam and the nearby surroundings. The view from that platform is something you won’t forget easily.

The Shibaozhai Pagoda: located at the top of the shibaozhai hill, the pagoda stands at 12 stories high along the Yangtze River. You’ll find interesting artifacts on every floor of the tower. The staircase inside the tower is steep. So, climbing the tower may become hard. But you can still go to the top by climbing an adjacent route that is separate from the pagoda.

The ghost city of Fengdu: A popular tourist attraction since decades, this city depicts Chinese version of hell. A temple was erected in the city during the Tang Dynasty. Many demonic images and torture devices have been put in the temple to communicate the facts about afterlife.  According to the Chinese version, a person must pass three tests before he can enter the nether world. The first test is to cross the nothing-to-be-done Bridge. The second test is to pass the Ghost Torturing pass. And the third test is placed in the Tianzi Palace. If a person fails the test at any of these places, then he is sent to Hell. If he passes, then he can proceed to the netherworld. Tourists from all over the world come here to look at some of the greatest works of Chinese craftsmen.

 The Wu Gorge: Also known as the great gorge, the Wu gorge is the second of the 3 famous gorges of China. This particular gorge is the most famous and most notable among the three.  It is also the most scenic gorge among them. There are a total of twelve peaks in the Wu gorge, 6 on each side.  Interesting and curious legends are associated with each peak. The tallest and the most notable among them is the Goddess peak, as it is the first peak to welcome the warm light of the sun and the last one to bid goodbye.

The Shennong stream: Located between the first and the second gorge, the Shennong stream has been inhabited since the Han dynasty. Mysterious coffins are seen hanging on high cliffs. The overall view is amazing and mesmerizing and the limestone cliffs in particular are a beauty.

Budget Cruise Ships On Yangtze

The seemingly never-ending panorama of divine beauty possessed by the luscious Yangtze River in China is best experienced through a cruise. You can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the virgin landscapes, explore the mystery of the deep ravines, investigate the historical artifacts, marvel at the well-preserved forests where endemic wildlife still roam and be a part of the ethnic minority groups that play a major role in Chinese culture when you go on a cruise along the Yangtze River. 

Some people choose to go for the whole 4 night and 3 day cruise, while some people choose a shorter cruise. But mind you, the enormous panoramic vista can be enjoyed only when you go on a longer cruise. If budget is a concern for you, then you don’t have to worry about that because you can easily find a ship that will fit within your needs. Of course, there are ships that rival even the best facilities provided by a 5-star hotel, but you can also expect the budget ships to be comfortable and homely too.

Have a look at some of the budget cruise ships on Yangtze

5-star Victoria Cruise

Alright. Before you reach any conclusions, you must realize that you will be provided with 5-star facilities at the cheapest price possible when you travel through Victoria cruise. When you compare the rates with other cruise liners providing the same kind of service, you will know that Victoria cruise lines have cheaper rates and excellent service. The cruise liner is entirely Americanized catering to English-speaking passengers and English-speaking staff. You can expect high quality service from the hospitable staff. Victoria fleets have a good reputation among travelers and you can see that the copmany lives up to its name when you travel in one of them.

President Cruise No:2

Owned by the President Company, you can expect to be served with care and thought when you travel in this cruise ship. This ship is also called the Yellow Crane and its elegant, simple style makes it a favorite among visitors. Decorated in a pure and fresh European way, the ship boasts of state-of-the-art facilities to provide ultimate comfort to its passengers.

President Cruise No:3

This cruise ship is also owned and run by President Company and is also known by the name "Splendid China". The ship is decorated in an ancient Ming style and reflects the culture, style and architecture of those days. Travelling in this ship would be a special and comfortable experience because the company is known to give special care to cater to the interests of their travelers.

3-day Yangtze cruise

3-day Yangtze cruise is the name of the ship that provides cheap rates for travelers wishing to take a comfortable cruise along the Yangtze River. As the name suggests, the cruise will take 3 days to complete and in those days, you can treat yourself to a tightly packed adventure. You can see the important towns along the river, especially the Three Gorges Dam. You will also be able to spend enough time to see the other marvels of the river like the deep ravines, the virgin landscapes and the endemic wildlife, all of which only add to the magic and charm of the cruise.

Choosing To Travel On Budget Cruise Ships On Yangtze

The seemingly never-ending panorama of divine beauty possessed by the luscious Yangtze River in China is best experienced through a cruise. You can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the virgin landscapes, explore the mystery of the deep ravines, investigate the historical artifacts, marvel at the well-preserved forests where endemic wildlife still roam and be a part of the ethnic minority groups that play a major role in Chinese culture when you go on a cruise along the Yangtze River. Some people choose to go for the whole 4 night and 3 day cruise, while some people choose a shorter cruise. But mind you, the enormous panoramic vista can be enjoyed only when you go on a longer cruise. If budget is a concern for you, then you don’t have to worry about that because you can easily find a ship that will fit within your needs. Of course, there are ships that rival even the best facilities provided by a 5-star hotel, but you can also expect the budget ships to be comfortable and homely too.

Have a look at some of the budget cruise ships on Yangtze

5-star Victoria Cruise

Alright. Before you reach any conclusions, you must realize that you will be provided with 5-star facilities at the cheapest price possible when you travel through Victoria cruise. When you compare the rates with other cruise liners providing the same kind of service, you will know that Victoria cruise lines have cheaper rates and excellent service. The cruise liner is entirely Americanized catering to English-speaking passengers and English-speaking staff. You can expect high quality service from the hospitable staff. Victoria fleets have a good reputation among travelers and you can see that the copmany lives up to its name when you travel in one of them.

President Cruise No:2

Owned by the President Company, you can expect to be served with care and thought when you travel in this cruise ship. This ship is also called the Yellow Crane and its elegant, simple style makes it a favorite among visitors. Decorated in a pure and fresh European way, the ship boasts of state-of-the-art facilities to provide ultimate comfort to its passengers.

President Cruise No:3

This cruise ship is also owned and run by President Company and is also known by the name "Splendid China". The ship is decorated in an ancient Ming style and reflects the culture, style and architecture of those days. Travelling in this ship would be a special and comfortable experience because the company is known to give special care to cater to the interests of their travelers.

3-day Yangtze cruise

3-day Yangtze cruise is the name of the ship that provides cheap rates for travelers wishing to take a comfortable cruise along the Yangtze River. As the name suggests, the cruise will take 3 days to complete and in those days, you can treat yourself to a tightly packed adventure. You can see the important towns along the river, especially the Three Gorges Dam. You will also be able to spend enough time to see the other marvels of the river like the deep ravines, the virgin landscapes and the endemic wildlife, all of which only add to the magic and charm of the cruise.

The Major Attractions in Chongqing for the Yangtze Lovers

If you are planning to visit the Yangtze River, then the first thing that you should know is that you cannot really get the full experience of visiting the Yangtze unless you visit the city called Chongqing first. This is the very place that can provide you with ample opportunities to take a cruise on the Yangtze any day you want with variable tour packages. But Chongqing is not only about taking a trip to the great Yangtze, rather it is much more than that. It is a city that is one of the biggest cities in China and also importance-wise, Chongqing is one of the four major cities in the whole country. Also known as the ‘mountain city’, Chongqing has numerous attractions that not only include the fantastic Yangtze adventures and cruises but also include cultural and historical attractions.  Let’s see what these attractions are, shall we?

Numerous Yangtze Touring Options

The very first attraction that Chongqing offers to its visitors is a pack of Yangtze touring options. If you want to take a look at the Yangtze from up close, then this is the place that you would want to start from. You see, Chongqing offers plenty of Yangtze tours ranging from 4 to 11-day cruises. If you want to embark on a smaller tour, you can pick any cruise package that will travel from Chongqing to Yichang. But if you are looking for a much bigger experience, then you can always pick a package that will let you embark on a journey from Chongqing to Shanghai – the last major city on the banks of the Yangtze. The cost will vary, but do not expect to spend less than $1000 on any trip. That’s the minimum!

The Three Gorges

You cannot finish touring the Yangtze River unless you see the Three Gorges. In case you haven’t gone there before, but from up close this site looks amazing. This is why this is the best part of the Yangtze River tours. In case you didn’t know it before, the famous Three Gorges are - Qutang Gorge – which is the first one; Wu Gorge – the second one and lastly the last one which is the Xiling Gorge. This is where world renowned Three Gorges Dam stands.

Wulong Karst

You can find Wulong Karst on the Wujiang River. The exact point of location would be the lower reaches of the river.  This is mainly famous for its beautiful karst landscapes. These landscapes include the gorges, caves and natural bridges with shafts and streams that run under the grounds of these landscapes. If you happen to go there don’t forget to visit the Three Natural Bridges and the Lotus Cave.

Dazu Rock Carvings

If you are into history and art – then you will be fascinated with the Dazu Rock Carvings. These carvings have a history that goes back to the 9^th century. These artworks are great monumental works of the Gold Buddhist Mountain. As the history tells us, the works of these carvings started during the ruling of Tang Dynasty – which was as long back as 650 AD. However, this was only a start because the works of these carvings continued until the Ming dynasty came into power.

Nanshan Park

Nanshan Park is located in the less-developed area of Chongqing but nevertheless, this is a beautiful area that attracts a lot of tourists every year. Although this is simply a park, but it is this simplicity that makes it very special at the same time. As it is a less-developed part of Chongqing, it still has the aroma and visual features of being close to the nature itself. Therefore, don’t be amazed to see the awesome looking orchids and roses that give a heavenly feeling to this part of the city.

Luóhàn Sì Arhat Temple

Luóhàn Sì Arhat Temple is a fine Buddhist temple that also has the capacity to attract lots of visitors every year. The temple is an ancient one, over 1000-year old which makes it one of the oldest prayer houses in the whole world. The appearance of this temple is very fascinating, as it poses a contrasting visual display in front of the spectator’s eyes. The contrasting image appears because the gates of the Luóhàn Sì Arhat Temple and the untamed natural jungle in front of the temple seem to be at odds with each other. But this interplay between civilization and nature is really worth watching. But that is just the front portion of this temple. Inside, the long corridor is equipped with ancient rock carvings that offer a nothing short of a spectacular display for art and history lovers.

People's Assembly Hall

Last but not the least, People’s Assembly Hall is a fine architectural construction that imitates the Ming and Qing dynasties’ unique architectural style. Once which was actually built for accommodating and welcoming special foreign guests, today it serves as a remarkable tourist spot in Chongqing.

Why Cruises on Yangtze

China is a land of mystery and enchantment. Along with its rich history, this nation has been charging forward to take its place in the modern world. Currently China houses the world's largest population and is the world's third largest country. While many people naturally think of the Great Wall of China as the primary tourist destination within China, to truly see what China has to offer you need to travel along the Yangtze River.

The Yangtze River has historically been the lifeblood of China and is a place of not only great history but stunning natural beauty as well. Along with this natural beauty, the Yangtze River is the home of myriad of different people and cultures. The single best way to see the Yangtze River is to take a cruise ship that will give you the opportunity to see all of what China has to offer. Below is just small sample of the many cruises you can take along the Yangtze River. Timeless Yangtze If you are into a combination of the ancient world existing with the modern world, than this particular type of cruise is exactly what you want to take.

By taking a cruise that highlights locations such as Xian and Shanghai, you have a chance to see the modern world of China as it progresses alongside the other economic powers of the world. Along with catching glimpses of the growing strength of China, you will have an opportunity to see firsthand many of the historical marvels of China such as the Precious Stone Fortress. While this cruise is more about sailing from one port to another than allowing you to go travel on the mainland of China, you still can do it in luxury. Yangtze Vista

If you are more in the mood to see the scenic wonders that the Yangtze River has to offer, then this is the cruises you want to look into. Along the Yangtze River are some truly amazing scenes of natural beauty that will give you a firsthand look at what makes China such a mystical place. Natural wonders such as Three Gorges will give you a sense of harmony. The great thing about this kind of cruise is that you can enjoy all the natural beauty of the Yangtze River from on board a luxury cruise liner. Imagine spending hours sailing along the Yangtze River and looking out at the wondrous land of China, which is truly a place like no other in this world.

 Legendary China China has a very rich history and while this century has modernized with stunning speed, much of that history is still alive and well today. If you have always wanted to see the historical sites of China beyond the well know places such as the Snow Jade Cave and Shanghai, then this type of cruise may be exactly what you are looking for. By taking a Yangtze River cruise that focuses on showing you the other parts of China's past, you will have a chance to see places such as the Panda House, parts of the Great Wall of China and more. This kind of cruise is a stop and get off the boat type of cruise, which is great for people who enjoy activities such as backpacking and bicycling.

Taste of China With the trend of culinary tourism gaining such steam, is it any wonder that a cruise dedicated to exploring the many delights of Chinese cuisine would be one of the many cruise options for the traveler. If you enjoy exotic cuisine and have grown a little tired of the normal fare of Chinese food, this is the cruise you want to take. Imagine eating world-class Chinese food made in China itself. While most Americans are familiar with Chinese food to some degree or another, what we get in the States is really only an imitation of the real thing. Chinese food is more than chow mein and crab ragoon, and those who love food will love a cruise dedicated to sampling all the treats that China has to offer.

Whether you dine on board or take time to visit one of the many eating establishments on the shoreline, a culinary cruise is sure to satisfy your palate. Yangtze Entertainment The entertainment cruise is for people who want to see the festivals of China first hand. Whether it is ringing in the Chinese New Year in Shanghai or attending a local marriage festival in one of the quaint country villages that dot the shore of the Yangtze River, this cruise is about taking part in China's rich culture. Along with taking part in traditional festivals, you also have an opportunity to experience modern entertainment in China firsthand. You can catch a movie or attend a local fashion event in Shanghai all with one cruise along the Yangtze River. While you may not spend a lot of time on your boat, you will more than make up for it by never having a moment of boredom.

In the end, the above are only a small sampling of the many cruises available when you book passage on a Yangtze cruise ships. No matter what you want to see or do in China, there is a cruise for you. Whether you want to look into the rich and complex history of China or spend your time sampling fine traditional Chinese dishes, there is a cruise for your tastes. If you are an active person and want to backpack or cycle, there are cruises that will give you plenty of opportunities for this. If you prefer to simply sit back and watch the landscape flow by as your ship sails along the river, there are cruises for this as well. Booking passage on a Yangtze cruise line is about not only what you do in China, but about what you do on the boat as well.

Most luxury cruise liners are equipped with a variety of amenities that will fit almost anyone's budget. If you have hungered to see the world of China first hand, there is no better way to do this than by taking a cruise along the Yangtze River.