In April 2025, Leesan and his travel buddies will embark on another unforgettable journey along the Yangtze River aboard this luxury ship, the Century Voyage.
Among the many cruises along the world’s most famous rivers, I feel like the ones on China’s Yangtze are often forgotten. But cruising along this mighty river is the best way to appreciate the breathtaking scenery as well as the area’s rich historical legacies.
Passengers and tourists have a number of cruise options to choose from on the Yangtze, too, such as which companies have the best ships, which sections of the river are the best ones to check out, and so on.
The Yangtze is said to be the “Mother River” of China, and is the country’s longest, passing 11 provinces along its 6,397km stretch. It is the world’s third longest river after the Nile and the Amazon. Notably, the Yangtze Three Gorges, along with Potala Palace, Guilin, Xi’an, and the Great Wall of China, were among the earliest destinations in China that were opened up to foreign tourists.
There is no denying that cruising along the great rivers of Europe such as the Danube and Rhine, or Nile in Egypt, Amazon in Argentina, and Chao Phraya in Thailand has been very popular among tourists for some time now. I personally have experienced the great values of these river cruises, in particular the well-planned ground tours that complement the cruises, the impeccable service onboard, the facilities and dining options – they are all of the best of international standards.
Anyway, as a self-proclaimed travel veteran, I am embarrassed to say that this was the first time I had ever taken a Yangtze Three Gorges cruise.
The ship that we boarded for the cruise was the celebrated Century Victory. Here’s a snippet of what I experienced while on the voyage.
Now and then
Some travellers might be sceptical about the quality of the Yangtze Three Gorges cruises, and I can understand why. This is because passengers would have to spend at least four days and three nights onboard so if the ship is not up to par, they are not going to be comfortable.
Moreover, many believe that Yangtze cruises cater almost entirely to domestic Chinese tourists, and the quality of these packages could be compromised. These impressions are stereotypical of most foreign tourists in the past. Perhaps China’s culture and tourism ministry, or the Yangtze tourism board or other relevant government agencies could promote this product more to change that perception.
In reality, the water quality of the Yangtze, as well as the scenery along the river, have improved remarkably over the years.
Additionally, China’s development in recent decades has been phenomenal while the attitude of her people has also improved by a lot, not to mention the vast options of ships now available for tourists to choose from.
International standards
Since Century Cruises made its debut 21 years ago, this segment of the tourism market has seen the emergence of a multitude of new operators vying for tourist dollars. Apparently, the quality of cruise ships has improved and are now comparable to international standards.
I need to mention here that Century Cruises once partnered with Europe’s Viking Cruises, and such an alliance has significantly elevated the service levels of Yangtze cruises.
Following the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, the quality of the river’s water, along with attractions on both sides of the river bank, have vastly improved.
The Raffles Square complex at Chongqing’s Chaotianmen Wharf has undergone a stunning transformation, elevating the city’s role as the vibrant gateway for Yangtze River Three Gorges cruises. — Photos: LEESAN
All aboard
Chongqing’s Chaotianmen, one of the most important river jetties on the upper section of Yangtze River, has been completely transformed. Following the massive investment of Singapore’s CapitaLand, seven uniquely shaped towers have been erected around the jetty.
Standing on Century Cruises’ dedicated pier at the jetty was Daniel Liu, manager of the brand new Century Victory, who welcomed us with a big smile. The Century Victory that we were about to board was manufactured in China according to European river cruise specifications. The 150m, six-storey electricity-powered ship weighs 15,293 tonnes.
All the 260 staterooms are located in the front section of the ship, away from the engine room so passengers won’t be disturbed by the noise.
I was amazed by the ship just by looking at it from the pier, and couldn’t wait to board.
There are 180 crew members, all of whom are pretty young. I would guess that on average, they are aged below 30 years old. Most importantly, more than half of them could speak some English; Daniel himself speaks English fluently.
The captain of ship (second from left) and some of the senior crew members during the ‘Captain’s Reception’, a beloved tradition on many European and American cruise lines.
Traversing 11 provinces
The Yangtze River originates on the south side of Tanggula Mountains on the Tibetan Plateau, and takes an eastward course past the provinces of Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Jiangsu before entering the sea in Shanghai.
Undeniably, the Yangtze has had far-reaching influences over the history, culture, civilisation, politics, economy and ecosystem of China. Over the past 3,000 years, countless Chinese war strategists, philosophers, politicians, poets and priests had been linked to this mighty river, with many historical records, poems and literary works created here. Surely, this fact alone would make most people want to visit the Three Gorges.
Qutang Gorge is one of the most breathtaking of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. It is featured on China’s RMB10 banknote.
Of the whole voyage, the section between Chongqing and Yichang with a close encounter with the Three Gorges is the one said to be most anticipated by tourists.
Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge collectively make up the Three Gorges. The river meanders its way through the gorges to form a spectacular natural landscape.
Every day, we had the opportunity to go ashore and visit ancient temples that are usually over 1,000 years old, and listen to the local guides explaining in detail the historical and cultural significance of the attractions. I personally feel that Fengdu Ghost City, Baidi Fortress, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Shennu Stream are all must-see destinations along the route.
The great dam
Dr Sun Yat Sen first came out with the idea of constructing a dam across the Yangtze way back in 1911. The dam was eventually completed in Yichang in 2003, marking the single largest hydroelectric power project in China and the world.
Among the functions of the Three Gorges Dam are river flow regulation, power generation, and flood mitigation. The project has an enormous impact on the improvement of water resource management and power generation capacity in Yangtze Basin.
Additionally, I need to mention here that the Three Gorges Dam has completely transformed the landscape and environment along the river. With the completion of the dam, tourist activities along the Yangtze have been significantly boosted.
Thanks to Century Cruises, travellers can now cruise along the Yangtze at any time of the year. A gentle reminder: Avoid the super-peak travel seasons of China as it may get exceptionally crowded during those times.
The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own. Leesan, the globe-trotting traveller who has visited 147 countries and seven continents, enjoys sharing his travel stories and insights. He has also authored six books.
