Yangtze River Cruise From Shanghai
Board near the coast and sail into the heart of China, reaching the gorges at the end.
Quote the Shanghai RouteYangtze River Cruise From Shanghai: The Long Way Up the River
A Yangtze river cruise from Shanghai is a very different trip from the classic three nights in the gorges. Instead of joining the river at Chongqing, you board near the coast and sail roughly the length of central China, reaching the Three Gorges only in the final days. It suits travelers who would rather unpack once for a week and a half than fly between cities.
Port by Port: Shanghai to Chongqing
This is the route on Century’s own 11-night upstream itinerary page:
| Day | Stop | Highlights listed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai | Board the ship |
| 2 | Yangzhou | Slender West Lake |
| 3 | Nanjing | Mount Niushou |
| 4 | Chizhou | Mount Jiuhua or a temple visit |
| 5 | Jiujiang | Mount Lushan or Jingdezhen, the porcelain town |
| 6 | Wuhan | Yellow Crane Tower and the Hubei Provincial Museum |
| 7 | Yueyang | Yueyang Tower above Dongting Lake |
| 8 | Jingzhou | Ancient city walls or the Chu tombs |
| 9 | Yichang | Gezhouba locks and the Three Gorges Dam |
| 10 | Fengjie | Qutang and Wu gorges; White Emperor City |
| 11 | Fengdu | The “Ghost City” |
| 12 | Chongqing | Disembark |
Downstream sailings run the same river in reverse. Shore choices and order can change; your quote will show the current version.
Who the Shanghai Sailing Suits
- Travelers who have seen Beijing and Xi’an before and want more of the river.
- Anyone who would rather avoid several internal flights.
- Repeat cruisers who like a long voyage with many stops.
- Photographers and history lovers drawn to Nanjing, Wuhan and the porcelain town of Jingdezhen.
Before or after, compare Shanghai hotels for a night in the city, and look at Cruising China if you would like to add an ocean cruise from Shanghai.
Shanghai Sailing Questions
Is a Yangtze river cruise from Shanghai the same as a Three Gorges cruise?
It includes the Three Gorges near the end (or start), but most of the voyage is on the broad lower river with stops at cities, temples and mountains the short cruises never reach.
Do many ships sail from Shanghai?
Very few. Most Yangtze ships stay on the Chongqing–Yichang stretch. Century’s Panorama sailings are the long-route option we see most often.
Upstream or downstream from Shanghai?
Century lists the upstream Shanghai-to-Chongqing sailing at 11 nights and the downstream Chongqing-to-Shanghai sailing at 10. Upstream ends in the gorges, which some travelers prefer as a finale.
Planning Around the Long Route
A long Yangtze sailing still needs a plan for both ends. Shanghai is the easier gateway for most North Americans, and Chongqing has its own international airport and high-speed rail links. Many travelers add two or three nights in Shanghai before boarding, then fly home from Chongqing or continue to Chengdu or Xi’an. Check China entry rules for cruise travelers for the current entry requirements before you fix the dates.
Ask About a Shanghai Sailing
Tell us your month and direction. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check which ship is sailing the long route and send a free quote.
Quote the Shanghai Route