Highlights
Imagine a leisurely luxury cruise through the heart of China absorbing the history, culture, and traditions to be found along the full stretch of the magnificent Yangtze River. You’ll discover it aboard the stylish Yangzi Explorer. Fully refurbished to accommodate just 124 passengers, the Yangzi Explorer is an experience in understated luxury, providing a 1:1 ratio of staff to guests for the ultimate in attentive service. Travel either up or downstream and take advantage of the opportunity to view and visit the river’s highlights along the way, including Baiheliang Underwater Museum (White Crane Ridge), beautiful Shennong Stream, the Qutang, Wu, and Xiling Gorges, and the Three Gorges Dam. Back on board, savor the chance to relax totally between shore excursions, either on the ship’s deck or in your beautifully appointed suite. Inclusive of a selection of onboard meals, shore excursions, entertainment, with the option to add on activities, cruising with the Yangzi Explorer is a wonderful way to experience the river and China at its best.
Cruise boat stats
| Launched Year: | 2008 (Refurbished 2016) |
|---|---|
| Total cabins: | 62 |
| Passenger capacity: | 124 |
| Passenger decks: | 5 |
| Crew: | 121 |
Cruise Information
| Room Type | Cabins |
|---|---|
| Celestial suite | 1 - 110 m2 |
| Imperial suite | 1 - 110 m2 |
| Mandarin suite | 1 - 81 m2 |
| Jade suite | 1 - 81 m2 |
| Regular Suite | 20 - 39 m2 |
| Deluxe cabin | 38 - 31 m2 |
Downstream Itinerary
Afternoon:
Board the cruise at the Chaotianmen Pier
Evening:
*Optional embarkation dinner
Welcome safety briefing and 816 Underground Project information
Meals included: None
Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
Visit to the 816 Underground Project
Or
Excursion to the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and a local market
À la carte lunch
Afternoon:
Lecture on Chinese foot reflexology and traditional Chinese medicine delivered in the Tang Theatre
Captain’s welcome reception with complimentary canapés
Evening:
Buffet dinner
*Optional Three Kingdoms open air show (CNY290 per person)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
*Optional tour to White Emperor City (CNY290 per person. Excursion depends on booking numbers)
Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream with an exclusive visit to the Tracker’s Village (Subject to water level and weather conditions)
Evening:
Farewell dinner
Three Gorges Project lecture
Live band performance
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Morning:
Buffet breakfast
*Optional Ship Lift Tour (CNY 350 per person)
Disembark at Maoping Pier and visit the Three Gorges Dam site and Exhibition Center
Transfer to downtown Yichang to continue your travels
Meals included: Breakfast
Upstream Itinerary
Afternoon:
Board the cruise at Maoping pier, welcome drink
Evening:
*Optional embarkation dinner
Welcome safety briefing and 7 Wonders of China documentary screened in the Tang Theatre
Meals included: None
Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
Lecture on Chinese foot reflexology and traditional Chinese medicine delivered in the Tang Theatre
*Optional excursion to the Three Gorges Tribe (CNY 290 per person) or *Optional Ship Lift Tour (CNY 350 per person)
Lunch on board
Afternoon:
Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site and Exhibition Certre
Xiling Gorge
Evening:
Captain’s welcome reception
À la carte dinner
Live band performance
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream with an exclusive visit to the Tracker’s Village (Subject to water level and weather conditions)
Buffet Lunch
Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge
Cultural lectures
*Optional tour to White Emperor City or on board activities (CNY290 per person. Excursion depends on booking numbers)
Evening:
À la carte Dinner
Briefing of 816 Underground Project delivered in the Tang Theatre
Entertainment (movie and live band performance)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Morning:
Coffee, tea, Tai Chi lesson, buffet breakfast
Visit to 816 Underground Project
Or
White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and a local market
Buffet lunch, Mahjong class, Peals of the World lecture
*Optional Three Kingdoms open air show (CNY 290 per person)
Evening:
Farewell dinner and live band performance.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Morning:
coffee, tea, buffet breakfast
Disembark in Chongqing to continue your travels
Meals included: Breakfast
Ship Facilities
- Cabins and suites
Sancutary Yangzi Explorer has 38 deluxe cabins, 20 suites and 4 luxury suites. Each suite has its own balconies and amenities, including private bathroom, hairdryer, safety deposit box, minibar, fridge and LCD satellite TV. Free Wi-Fi and welcome house wine are available for suites, together with a limited complimentary laundry and shoeshine service. - Restaurants and bars
Onboard all passengers have access to a number of restaurants and bars, including:
- Dynasty Palace: The main restaurant on board, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner, from an a-la-carte menu to set dinner featuring Chinese cuisine.
- Lotus Room and Peony Room: Each room offers the facilities for a private dining or meeting experience up to a maximum of 20 people.
- Suite Lounge: Exclusively for guests staying in suites. Offering free Wi-Fi, free use of the computer with internet, all-day free soft drinks, tea/coffee and snacks, free wines and local beer before dinner.
- The Explorer Bar: Located at the top deck with the panoramic window，providing free coffee and tea in the morning, afternoon tea and snacks. Attend the Captain’s Welcome cocktail party here and enjoy the live band performance every night while onboard.
- Leisure facilities
Unwind on this relaxing river cruise by taking full advantage of the onboard leisure facilities, including:
- Tang Theatre: The main venue for the welcome safety briefing, lectures, documentary show, staff performances, cooking class, Chinese calligraphy class, and Mahjong class.
- Explorer Deck: Soak up the sunshine and relax with other travelers in-between shore excursions and other onboard activities, including the daily Tai Chi lesson on the sunshine deck.
- Huang Ding Spa: A haven of relaxation and tranquility on the cruise, offering beauty treatments and body massages in six individual treatment rooms.
- Gym: Keep active with the latest professional equiment found in the ship’s gym.
- Shops: Souvenirs, art pieces and jewelry can be found at the Gallery, Collectors Den, and Angeperle Jewelry.
- Photo Centre: Access onboard printing of photos or CDs and DVDs making.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Onboard accommodation based on double/twin occupancy in a standard cabin on the second level of the cruise boat
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities as specified
- Selected onboard activities as specified (Tai Chi, cultural activities, and onboard entertainment)
- Meals: as specified in the itinerary
- Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guides
- Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions
- Optional shore excursions: White Emperor City, Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, Tribe of the Three Gorges, Three Kingdoms Open Air Show
- Any personal onboard spending of laundry, drink, telex, phone calls, beauty treatments, and other miscellaneous services
- Gratuities to river guide, service staff and cruise director, and any other personnel
- Any upgrades to a different floor or cabin
- Transfer service in Chongqing and Yichang.
- China visa fees
- This cruise does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances
Important Information
- All times on the schedule are estimated and are subject to change due to weather and navigation conditions.
- All shore excursions departure times and duration are approximate and may subject to change if considered unsafe to operate.
- Downstream (Chongqing/Yichang): Transfers will be provided to the Yichang Cruise Terminal Center arriving at approximately 12:30 pm for passengers taking just the morning excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, and 1:30pm for passengers taking Three Gorges Dam tour with the optional ship lift excursion if condition permitted.
- Upstream (Yichang/Chongqing):
- Option 1: Free shuttle bus service at Yichang East Train Station where original ID (passport) must be presented at the Yichang Tourism Information Center to obtain a coach ticket. Passengers board the shuttle at the bus bay marked“Luxury Cruises Shuttle Bus Center. Luggage will be stored and transferred on the same coach (transfer is 1.5 hours duration). The shuttle service is available daily from 16:00 pm to 21:30 pm. For assistance on-site in Chinese, please call, 0717-6941940. For English speaking assistance, please call the ship reception directly on 13972600837.
- Option 2: Free shuttle bus service at Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center, located opposite Wanda Crown Plaza Hotel (also called No. 9 Pier). Your original ID (passport) is required to obtain a coach ticket. Board the shuttle to Maoping Pier. Luggage is stored and transferred on the same coach (transfer is 1.5 hours duration). Shuttle service is available daily from 16:00pm to 21:30 pm. For assistance on site in Chinese, please call +86-15071816140 or for English speaking assistance, please call the ship reception directly on 13972600837.
- For passengers organizing the transfer between Yichang and Maoping, the suggested cruise embarkation time of upstream is between 18:00- 22:30.
- As the sailing port is to be finalized, you are advised to call the cruise company before boarding to confirm the specific port of your cruise.
- The port for disembarking may be adjusted due to weather conditions and water levels on the day. Please keep your phone on so we can contact you at all times. It is recommended you to contact ChinaTours.com or the cruise company on the day of boarding to receive accurate information about the port.
- Optional excursions listed in the itinerary are not included in the quotation. Passengers must pay separately for these on the cruise. Based on the conditions and general terms of cruise company, passengers are not permitted to leave the ship if they are not taking the optional shore excursion.
- Alteration of Itinerary: If unforeseen circumstances beyond our control requires us to make relevant changes to the cruise itinerary, we reserve the right to cancel or change the sailing date. Where it is necessary to change the accommodation, ChinaTours.com reserves the right to substitute it with accommodation of at least a similar standard. We make changes to the conditions that:
- Events happened out of our control, such as war, fire, epidemics, health risks, typhoon, earthquake and other actual or potential severe weather conditions, etc. Under these conditions, extra fares will be charged if there any additional costs are incurred.
- River conditions are subject to change. Due to any potential events, we reserve the right to alter programs to maintain the spirit of the cruise with concern for safety and in response to actual conditions during sailing. Unused services are not refundable.
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