The Yangtze River is China’s largest waterway and the third longest river in the world.  Take an amazing journey through the famous Three Gorges on the Yangtze River Valley. These imposing and mysterious gorges form one of the most beautiful traveling routes in the world. 

Your journey begins in Chongqing and you’ll cruise Eastward for six days and five nights.  This package can be added to any other tour we offer.

Shibozhai – The pearl of the Yangtze River

This magnificent temple, situated on the northern bank of the river, is ranked as one of the eight strangest architectural structures in the world.  This tower was built in the reign of Wanli during the Ming Dynasty.  Visitors can climb the 12-story tower to a broad stone platform where you can view the Yangtze as it flows majestically eastward.

Dazu Stone Carvings

The stone carvings at Dazu consist chiefly of Buddhist statues, however you’ll find Taoist and Confucian statues as well.  The carvings were first made in the Late Tang Dynasty and thrived in the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties.  They occupy a very important position in the religious, artistic and cultural history of China.

Ghost City

This is the cave residence of the King of Hades.  According to ancient lore, people who die come here to register and be judged.  This place has reflected the “ghost culture” of China since olden times.  

The Three Gorges

The Three Gorges consist of the Qutang Gorge, the Wu Gorge and the Xiling Gorge.  On your river journey you will travel through the Kumien Gate at the eastern mouth of the Qutang Gorge.  This gate is a symbol of the Three Gorges and is where the water in the river flows most rapidly.  It is also an area of spectacular scenery with high cliffs and steep precipices rising one after another on both sides of the gorge.

The Wu Gorge contains 12 peaks; the most famous of these is the Fairy Peak, a huge limestone column resembling an exquisite young girl peaking out of the mist.  Legend says she descended from heaven to ensure the safety of boats passing through the gorges.

The Xiling Gorge is known for its strategic importance and as a place of dangerous shoals.  There are many rocks, caves and streams along the western shore.  Ouyang Xiu, the great literary figure of the Song Dynasty claimed the Xiling landscape was the best in the world.

There are also three lesser gorges which many consider to be even more beautiful than the larger three.  These gorges are covered with green bamboo, springs and in the Bawu Gorge you can see the hanging coffins of the ancient Ba people.  

Wuhan – Qingchuan Pavilion

The last city on the River excursion is Wuhan.  There you can visit the Qingchuan Pavilion and witness some of the Chu culture.   The Chu people existed as a separate state for 800 years, during which time they developed a rich and elaborate culture that still exerts great influence on today’s Chinese culture.  Mao Zedong was well versed in Chu culture.  The Chu people worshipped phoenixes and fire; they practiced martial arts and developed profound and elegant literature, as represented by The Song of the South, by Qu Yuan.