Yangtze River Maps & Yangtze River Cruise Map (2026)

Yangtze River Location on Map: Where is Yangtze River on a Map

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest river in the world, stretching about 6,300 kilometers across the country.

It begins in the glaciers of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China and flows all the way east into the East China Sea near Shanghai.

Yangtze River location on China Map

From the map, you can clearly see that the Yangtze River cuts across the middle of China from west to east, passing through many important provinces and regions along the way:

Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shanghai.

Yangtze River Map with Cities: Main Cities along Yangtze River

Flowing from western China to the East China Sea, the Yangtze River passes through many of the country's most important cities.

These cities developed along the river over centuries and today form the cultural, economic, and transportation backbone of central China.

Main Cities along the Yangtze River on Map

From the map, you can clearly see how the major cities are distributed from upstream to downstream, connecting western mountains with eastern coastal areas.

13 Days Relaxing China Tour with Yangtze Cruise in Small Group

Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Chongqing - Yangtze River - Yichang - Shanghai

Classic 13 Days 7 Places View Detail

Yangtze River Map with Three Gorges

The Three Gorges are the most famous natural section along the Yangtze River, located on the main stream of the Yangtze.

Yangtze River Map with Three Gorges on Map

From the map, you can clearly see that the Three Gorges are located in the middle section of the Yangtze River, between Fengjie (Chongqing) and Yichang (Hubei).

This is exactly the same stretch covered by most Yangtze River Cruises.

• Qutang Gorge— Shortest and most magnificent
• Wu Gorge— Most graceful and misty, famous for mountain peaks
• Xiling Gorge— Longest, with rapid waters and grand landscape

Many viewpoints are only visible from the river, which makes cruising the best way to experience the gorges.

6 Day Xi'an Yangtze River Tour: Terracotta Warriors & Yangtze Cruise

Xi'an - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang

Relaxing Holiday 6 Days 4 Places View Detail

Shore Excursions along the Three Gorges

Besides the gorge scenery itself, Yangtze River Cruise also include optional shore excursions and small-boat side trips to explore attractions along the riverbanks.

Yangtze River Cruise Map with Routes & Attractions

The most scenic and popular part of the Yangtze River cruise lies between Chongqing and Yichang, where the river passes through dramatic gorges, historic towns, and famous cultural landmarks.

Today, Yangtze cruises mainly operate on three classic routes, each offering a different travel experience and duration.

Cruise Route 1: Between Chongqing and Yichang (Most Popular & Most Ships)

The Chongqing–Yichang route is the most classic and most popular Yangtze River Cruise route, covering the most scenic part of the Three Gorges area.

Almost all first-time Yangtze cruise travelers choose this section.

Yangtze River Cruise between Chongqing and Yichang on Map

Almost all cruises on this route follow a very similar sailing path and schedule.

• Downstream (Chongqing → Yichang): 4 Days / 3 Nights
• Upstream (Yichang → Chongqing): 5 Days / 4 Nights

The main difference lies in the cruise company, ship quality, onboard service, and optional shore excursions.

4 Days Chongqing Yichang Yangtze River Cruise Tour (Downstream)

Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang

Relaxing Holiday 4 Days 3 Places View Detail

Typical stops and sightseeing areas include:

Note:

Some attractions are included in standard itineraries, while others are optional paid excursions depending on the cruise line.

Cruise Route 2: Between Chongqing and Wuhan (Only 2 Ships)

In 2026, only 2 cruise ships run between Chongqing and Wuhan: Yangtze 2 and Yangtze Gold 7.

Yangtze River Cruise Map between Chongqing and Wuhan

This route continues beyond Yichang into the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, offering a deeper look into central China's river landscapes and cities.

The cruise generally passes through: Chongqing → Yichang → Jingzhou → Yueyang → Wuhan

Both upstream and downstream itineraries are usually 6 Days / 5 Nights.

Typical Itinerary Overview

Cruise Route 3: Between Chongqing and Shanghai (Only 1 Ship - Century Legend)

This is the longest and most complete Yangtze River Cruise route, sailing almost across the entire middle and lower Yangtze basin from inland China to the East China Sea.

Yangtze River Cruise Map between Chongqing and Shanghai

In 2026, only the Century Legend cruise runs between Chongqing and Shanghai from may to june and september to November, twice per month.

The route connects major cities including: Chongqing → Yichang → Wuhan → Jiujiang → Nanjing → Shanghai

Compared with the classic Three Gorges route:

• Downstream Chongqing → Shanghai: 11 Days / 10 Nights
• Upstream Shanghai → Chongqing: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Besides the classic Chongqing–Yichang section, the cruise also includes additional cultural stops further downstream.

Which Yangtze River Cruise Ship to Choose?

For international travelers, choosing the right cruise ship is often more important than choosing the route itself.

Most ships sail along similar sections of the Yangtze River, but the onboard experience, cabin quality, dining, atmosphere, and included excursions can vary greatly.

Based on our travelers' feedback over the past few years, these are the cruise brands we most recommend: