Travel with Mark: A Wonderful Yangtze River Cruise Experience on Yangtze River in Winter Time

It has always been on my plan list to have a Yangtze River Cruise Experience and it got realized on November 20th ~ 23rd, 2019. Four days’ marvelous downstream cruise from Chongqing to Yichang on Victoria Katarina. Since winter is during the offseason on the river, only half of the cruise was occupied but it’s quite a good date to travel and enjoy leisure time. Weather was mostly cloudy with partially sunny time, the breeze blowing my cheeks was a little chilly while I quite this feeling. People I came across there were very friendly and I had been obsessed with the gorgeous views I saw. Most importantly, the incredibly impeccable and considerate service offered by the crews light up the whole trip.

Chongqing Yangtze River Bridge Nightscape

Day 1 Chengdu – Chongqing by Bullet Train / Embarkation of the Cruise at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port (17:30-20:00)

In the late afternoon of November 20th, I took a bullet train from Chengdu to Chongqing which cost me around 1.5 hours on the road. I enjoyed the countryside scenery is quite much. Upon arrival, I took a taxi directly to the Hongya Cave to have a glance of the magnificent night there and had a hearty dinner with my local friends. Then 20 minutes’ walking brought me to the Chaotiamen Port Square (which is exactly near the boarding site) where I spent half an hour strolling around to try to find those memories I had with families when I was a child there. Around 18:00, I boarded the ship after a quick check-in. Although the cabin size is not that big, it’s cozy and tidy and I had a good rest then.

• Useful tips: Dinner is not served on the cruise on the first day. Having some supper near the port is recommended!

Cozy Twin Room

Day 2 Offshore Excursions to the Jade Emperor Scenic Spot< (08:30-11:00)

Breakfast is served from 06:30 ~ 08:00 and it is for western and Chinese style buffet and it can cater to western travelers. Excursions to Jade Emperor Scenic Spot starts around 08:30 and it took around 2~2.5 hours. Those temples of Taoism are magnificent and some devout people came there for pilgrimage, which made this palace more divine. With a tour guide’s elaborate explanations on the history, I learned a lot and found this experience quite knowledge-riching. After the tour, we got driven back and lunch was served from 12:30.

Jade Emperor Scenic Spot

There was an optional excursion to Fengdu Ghost City after the Jade Emperor Scenic Spot which I didn’t fire away a visit.

In the afternoon, I attended a Chinese acupuncture lecture and learned a lot from what I saw and heard there, quite interesting!

Chinese Acupuncture Lecture

The Captain Welcome Party this night was very joyful, I had a delicious meal and enjoyed a very nice small talk with a lady from England about the history of China.

Day 3 Offshore Excursions to the White Emperor City (08:30-11:00) and Goddess Stream (15:30-17:30)

After breakfast, the optional excursion to White Emperor City began at 08:00. As a die-hard fan of cultures of Three Kingdoms, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to pay a visit there. I did learn a lot about Chinese ancient history and cultures and those legends and stories shared by the tour guide made this trip more meaningful. Also, the fabulous scenery at the “Kui Gate” made my visit worthwhile.

White Emperor City

Kui Gate

Passing through the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge happened in the early afternoon, the sun deck was flooded with people and we cherished the moment to appreciate the highlight on the river. Words had already been beyond description for the waters, hills and the superexcellent gorges. It’s a life-time unforgettable experience!

Qutang Gorge

In the afternoon, excursion to Goddess Stream kicked off around 15:30. The scenery view along the way is amazing and I also saw hanging coffins which are a local tradition.

Goddess Stream

Captain’s Farewell Part started at 19:30 and Chinese table meal is served. Everyone is cheered up and had this feast together. After that, I appreciated the Chinese traditional fashion in the bar with a cup of Long Island Iced Tea. That is all there to have such an adorable moment!

Bar in Victoria Katarina

• Note: Excursions will be an English-speaking tour guide at your services. Remember to wear cloth during excursions in wintertime, there will cold wind on land.

Day 4 Excursion to Three Gorges Dam (08:30-10:30) & Bullet Train back to Chengdu

After breakfast, embarkation is around 08:00 and follow with excursion to Three Gorges Dam. We met our tour guide in the lobby and the bus riding took us 25 min to the Dam site. Honestly speaking, I was amazed and deeply impressed with the marvelous conservancy project and the visit lasted for 2 hours before heading to Yichang Downtown by shuttle bus.

Three Gorges Dam - Tanzi Ridge

6.5 hours’ bullet train riding took me back to Chengdu and this incredible Yangtze River Cruise experience ends.

• Note: Bullet train to leave is suggested not before 14:00 and flight to leave is not suggested before 15:30.

Three Gorges Dam Seen from a Distance