yangzi river cruises

Come aboard the 'Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer' for a Yangzi cruise of discovery and tranquillity along China's magnificent Yangzi River. Passing through the Three Gorges region, this journey encompasses thousands of years of history as well as timeless natural beauty, all in the comfort of the finest ship on the Yangzi today. 

'Sanctuary Yangzi Exlporer' cruises downstream from Chongquing to Yichang (3 nights) and upstream from Yichang to Chongquing (4 nights), with shore excursions at Fengdu, Shennong Stream and the Three Gorges Dam Project.

The Yangzi River starts in the mountains of Tibet and empties into the ocean at Shanghai, a distance of 6,380 kms, making it the third longest river in the world.  Its Chinese name is simply Chang Jiangor (Long River).  The most impressive section of the river is the three Yangzi River Gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge, collectively known as Sanxia, or The Three Gorges.

It is one of China's most important transport routes, carrying a huge amount of cargo and passengers, yet also one of China's most formidable barriers. The north and south of the country were for centuries effectively cut off from one another by this huge river, treacherous for its floods and the vast amount of water it drains from the heart of the Asian continent. It is also seen by the Chinese to be a division in cultural matters; those who live north of it are wheat and dry grain eaters and those who live to its south are rice eaters.

See our China Holidays 2011, 2012 section for more details on how we can help make your China holiday memorable.

speak to a TRAVEL CONSULTANT on 0845 618 2204