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Is a Yangtze River Cruise Worth it?
Absolutely! When you compare it to other famous routes like the Mekong River cruise, the Yangtze River Cruise is a steal.
Because China has such a massive fleet and a world-class high-speed rail network, the competition keeps the Yangtze River Cruise price very friendly.
From around $412, you get a floating 5-star hotel!
When you realize that includes your room, transportation, and food, it’s actually much cheaper than booking luxury hotels and trains separately in cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
How Much Does a Yangtze River Cruise Cost? See the Real-time Ship Prices
Let’s get into the real numbers. These are real-time Yangtze River Cruise costs for our 8 popular sailings.
Real-time Price of the 8 Popular Yangtze River Cruise Ships
The “From” price is for a Standard Two-sharing Cabin.
We never recommend "Inside Cabins". Saving a few dollars isn't worth losing your private balcony view when the Wu Gorge appears at sunrise!
Every Standard Cabin includes a private balcony, a private bathroom, a hairdryer, slippers, a clothesline, a kettle, two bottled waters, and tea bags.
All Yangtze River Cruise Price List
Beyond the top 8 popular ones, we work with over 20 ships to find your perfect match.
| Preferences | Price Ranges | Yangtze River Cruise Ships |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury | >$1000 | Yangzi Explorer |
| Quality | $700 - $900 | Century Voyage, Century Vision, Yangtze Miracle, Yangtze 3 |
| Best Value | $600 - $700 | Century Oasis, Century Victory, Century Glory, Yangtze 1, Vista Aurora, Vista Harmony |
| Cheap & Budget | $400 - $538 | Yangtze Gold 2/3/5/6/8, Yangtze Memory, Victoria Jenna/Anna/Katarina, Century Legend (Chongqing ⇌ Yichang) |
Keep an eye on the Century Legend.
In the July and August summer heat, she offers a great budget Chongqing - Yichang route for $499.
But from May to June and September to November, she handles the epic 11 to 12-day Chongqing - Shanghai odyssey starting at $2,912.
Yangtze River Cruise Cost: What’s Included?
Think of your Yangtze River cruise fare as a "master key." Once you’re on board, you can mostly put your wallet away.
Here is a breakdown of the 5-star lifestyle that’s already tucked into your Yangtze River Cruise price.
Shore Excursions Listed in the Itinerary
Every day, we’ll head ashore to explore ancient temples or dramatic viewpoints.
Your fare covers the transportation to the site, the entrance tickets, and a English-speaking guide who knows all the best stories.
As you can see the table, most ships offer 3 to 5 included excursions depending on their tier.
| Ships | Price From | Excursions Included |
|---|---|---|
| Yangzi Explorer | $1,912 | 4 (816 Underground Nuclear Project Site, War Fire of Three Kingdoms Show, Goddess Sky Road, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Century Voyage / Vision | $798 | 5 (Fengdu Ghost City, War Fire of Three Kingdoms Show, White Emperor City, Shennv Stream, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Yangtze Miracle | $740 | 5 (816 Underground Nuclear Project Site, War Fire of Three Kingdoms Show, Shennv Stream, Yuxian Valley, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Yellow 3 | $723 | 4 (Fengdu Ghost City, White Emperor City, Shennv Stream, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Century Oasis / Victory / Glory | $615 | 4 (Fengdu Ghost City, War Fire of Three Kingdoms Show or White Emperor City, Shennv Stream, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Yangtze 1 | $673 | 5 (Fengdu Ghost City, White Emperor City, Goddess Road, Shennong Stream, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Vista Aurora / Harmony | $691 | 4 (Baiheliang Underwater Museum, War Fire of Three Kingdoms, White Emperor City, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Yangtze Gold 2/3/5/6/8 | $412 | 3 (Fengdu Ghost City, Lesser Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Yangtze Memory | $412 | 3 (Baiheliang Underwater Museum, Lesser Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Victoria Jenna / Anna / Katarina | $415 | 3 (Mount Shuanggui, Shennv Stream, Three Gorges Dam) |
| Century Legend | $499 | 4 (Fengdu Ghost City, War Fire of Three Kingdoms Show or White Emperor City, Shennv Stream, Three Gorges Dam) |
While the tours are included, small local "extras" are on you.
For the Fengdu Ghost City, the cable car is CN¥20 one-way or CN¥35 round-trip. At the Three Gorges Dam, there is a small CN¥10 sightseeing bus fee.
Buffet Meals Listed in the Itinerary
Get ready to eat well! Your Yangtze River cruise itinerary includes all meals, usually starting with a big welcome dinner and ending with breakfast on your final morning.
Most ships offer grand buffets with a mix of Western favorites and local Chinese specialties.
If you sail on the Victoria Jenna, Anna, or Katarina, they typically don't include that first welcome dinner.
On the flip side, the luxury Yangzi Explorer treats you to both breakfast and lunch on your very last day!
Accommodation & Onboard Fun
If you travel on budget, your room is a comfortable twin-sharing cabin, complete with a private bathroom and that all-important balcony.
You’ll have this home base for the full trip—which is 3 nights if we’re heading downstream (Chongqing to Yichang) or 4 nights if you choose the upstream route.
When we aren't exploring the shore, the ship is full of life with free activities.
You can join a Tai Chi class on the sun deck, attend a cultural lecture or try your hand at Chinese calligraphy.
In the evenings, there are cabaret shows and themed parties, like themed balls, the Captain’s Welcome and Farewell, to keep things lively.
Complimentary Amenities
We make sure the little things are taken care of, too. Drinking water, coffee, tea, and even selected soft drinks are free during meal times.
Your room gets daily housekeeping, and the package even includes accident insurance, so you can just relax and enjoy the view.
Yangtze River Cruise Cost: What’s Excluded?
Even on a 5-star voyage, a few things stay on your personal tab.
To avoid any "bill shock" at the end of your trip, here is a quick look at what isn't covered by the base Yangtze River Cruise price.
Optional Shore Excursions
If you’re a real history buff or an engineering fan, you might want to see sites not listed in the standard plan.
These "self-paid" tours usually cost around CN¥190-290 ($28-40) per person and can be booked once you’re on the ship.
| Ships | Price From | Self-Paid Excursions |
|---|---|---|
| Yangzi Explorer | $1,912 | Zero |
| Century Voyage / Vision | $798 | Zero |
| Yangtze Miracle | $740 | Zero |
| Yangtze 3 | $723 | Zero |
| Century Oasis / Victory / Glory | $615 | 1 (Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift) |
| Yangtze 1 | $673 | Zero |
| Vista Aurora / Harmony | $691 | Zero |
| Yangtze Gold 2/3/5/6/8 | $412 | 6 (Shuanggui Mountain, War Fire of Three Kingdoms, White Emperor City, Mini Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, The Three Gorges Tribe Show) |
| Yangtze Memory | $412 | 4 (Fengdu Ghost City, White Emperor City, Mini Three Gorges, Ship Lift) |
| Victoria Jenna / Anna / Katarina | $415 | 4 (Fengdu Ghost City, War Fire of Three Kingdoms, White Emperor City, Ship Lift) |
| Century Legend | $499 | 1 (Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift) |
- Fengdu Ghost City: CN¥290/p
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms: CN¥290/p
- White Emperor City: CN¥252/p
- Mini Three Gorges: CN¥190/p
- Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift: CN¥290/p
Mandatory Service Charge & Tipping
This is the one that catches most travelers off guard.
Most cruises do not include the service charge in the ticket fare, about 150 RMB ($22) per person. You’ll pay this mandatory fee (usually stated in your confirmation letter) at the reception desk during check-in.
This fee covers the crew's hard work, but it doesn't include personal tips for your river guides or cruise directors. That part is entirely up to you based on your satisfaction.
Transportation
Your journey to and from the ship is a separate cost. Expenses like airfare, train tickets, taxi fares, and porters are excluded.
However, a few luxury and quality Yangtze ships like Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze Miracle, and Vista Aurora actually include your airport or railway station transfer to the pier as a nice perk!
How to Get to Chaotianmen Dock for the Yangtze River Cruise
Chongqing Train Stations to Chaotianmen Dock | Car, Metro or Taxi to Chaotianmen Dock
Chongqing Airport to Chaotianmen Dock | 4 Options from Chongqing Jiangbei to Chaotianmen
How to Travel Between Yichang Airport and Yichang Port
How to Get to Yichang Port from Yichang East Station (2026)
Personal Expenses & Single Supplement
Once you're on board, "extras" like a spa massage, laundry, or shopping will be added to your room bill.
If you're traveling solo and want a private cabin all to yourself, you'll need to pay a Single Supplement.
Don't forget that your visa costs, travel insurance, and optional room upgrades also fall under your personal expenses.
How to Get a Yangtze River Cruise Deal?
Finding a great deal is all about timing and ship choice. You can easily save hundreds of dollars by being flexible or picking a budget vessel.
Here is how to snag the best Yangtze River Cruise price.
Cruise in the Off-Season
The easiest way to slash costs is to skip May, September, and October.
Travel during the low season (December to March) for the deepest discounts. The summer months (June to August) also offer great value compared to peak spring or autumn rates.
Best (and Worst) Times to Cruise Yangtze River: Tips for 12 Months
Choose a Budget-Friendly Cruise Line
You don’t have to spend a fortune for a 5-star experience.
Some cheap Yangtze River cruise ships like Yangtze Memory, Victoria Jenna, and Victoria Anna often start around $412 to $415.
For a newer Yangtze fleet, try the Victoria Sabrina or Sabrina Isabella, with a price from $538.
Don't miss the Century Legend, which runs a special $499 summer deal in July and August.
Stick to a Standard Cabin
Book a Standard Cabin for the best value. These include a private bathroom, a kettle, and—most importantly—your own balcony. We never recommend Inside Cabins. Saving a few dollars isn't worth losing your private view of the gorges!
Book with Asia Odyssey Travel
Booking through a local expert like us.
One of our best offers is the Exclusive Century Cruise Deal. Starting in June 2026, Century Cruises will offer special savings on one to seven sailings each month.
No matter when you book or which cabin you pick—upstream or downstream—you’ll get a ¥150 discount (approx. $22) per person!
Book with Us, We’ve Got Exclusive Yangtze Cruise Deal for You!
At Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT), we aren't just a booking site; we are your local partners on the ground. In 2025, we helped over 14,000 travelers find the perfect ship at the best total value.
We work with 20+ trusted ships hand-picked from the 40+ vessels sailing the river. Check our Yangtze Cruise Calendar for real-time sailings and daily departures through 2026 and 2027.
You can even grab an exclusive $22 (¥150) discount per person on select Century Cruises!
| What You Need | How AOT Helps |
|---|---|
| Clear Costs | We explain all inclusions and fees upfront. |
| Easy Support | Local guides speak your language (English, Spanish, etc.). |
Whether you want the "Golden Triangle" (Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai) or Tibet, we handle all logistics. Our local offices in HK, Shanghai, and Lhasa ensure we are always nearby.
Book now for expert advice and the smartest way to sail!
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