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American-managed

Victoria Cruises — Western service standards since 1994

Victoria Cruise Lines was founded in New York in 1993. It is the only American-managed cruise line on the Yangtze, and has sailed the Three Gorges since 1994. More than two million guests have traveled with the fleet. Western travel advisors and China-holiday wholesalers use Victoria for the river segment of their itineraries. The line operates five ships, all rated five-star by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and built to international maritime standards. Capacity is about 264–600 guests, depending on the hull. Public rooms mix European and Asian design. Standard cabins have a private balcony, bathtub, and satellite TV; Wi-Fi and international calling are available onboard. Ships in service: Victoria Anna, Victoria Jenna, Victoria Katarina and Victoria Isabella. Sailings have a Western cruise director and English-speaking river guides. Days include lectures,

Newest & largest

Century Cruises — Asia’s Best Inland River Cruise Fleet

Century Cruises has operated on the Yangtze since 1992. The line is part of Chongqing Guanda Holding Group. Unlike most Yangtze operators, Century designs, builds, and runs its own ships, and handles dining and sales in-house. The fleet sails the Chongqing–Yichang corridor. Every cabin has a private balcony. Public rooms typically include an atrium lobby, panoramic elevators, a sun-deck bar, and a Western restaurant with river views. Newer hulls use electric propulsion and energy-saving systems, so the ships run quieter and with lower emissions than older diesel vessels on the same route. Daytime is shore visits and river time; evenings are onboard. Century markets the ships as a stay in themselves, not only a transfer through the Three Gorges. The line carries about 300,000 Yangtze guests a year, including more than 100,000 from overseas. It was named Asia’s Best Inland River Cruise

All-suite · A&K / Sanctuary

Yangzi Explorer — Three decades on the Yangtze

Oriental Royal Cruises was founded in 1994 and was among the first to bring a true luxury product to China’s inland rivers. From the start, the company worked with Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) and the UK’s Sanctuary Retreats, bringing international service standards to the Three Gorges. That smaller, higher-touch way of sailing still defines the ship today. Recognition, and who has sailed with us The original Yangzi Explorer relaunched in 2008 and appeared on Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List — the only luxury ship on the Yangtze to receive the award. She has carried Henry Kissinger, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, members of the Rockefeller family, and ambassadors from more than thirty countries. For many international guests, that history is why they choose this ship for the Three Gorges.

State guest fleet

The Yangtze fleet — state-guest ships and the all-suite Explorer

Since 1979, when the Kunlun first set sail, China Changhang has pioneered professional cruise travel on the Yangtze—and has led Three Gorges cruising ever since. Over the decades, Changhang Cruises has hosted heads of state and distinguished guests from around the world on official voyages along the river, earning its name as “the State Guest Fleet” and setting the standard for service on China’s greatest waterway. Today, three luxury ships—Yangtze 1, Yangtze 2, and Yangtze 3—sail the Yangtze year-round, with 1,274 comfortable berths and the capacity to welcome 100,000 guests each year. A Changhang cruise is more than a journey. It is a voyage through history—and a taste of the same hospitality once reserved for visiting heads of state. With decades of expertise and meticulous care in every detail, we invite you to discover the Yangtze as it was meant to be seen.

Yangtze 1 cruise ship

Changjiang Cruises

Yangtze 1

Five-star Changjiang Cruises vessel (State Guest Fleet), Chongqing–Yichang, dam ship lift & Gezhouba capable—suites, pools, full-board dining.

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Yangtze 2 cruise ship

Changjiang Cruises

Yangtze 2

Fourth-gen luxury ship, Jan 2024 refurb, indoor heated pool, Kunlun Restaurant, Chongqing–Yichang all-inclusive style cruising with Changjiang Cruises.

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Before & after the river

Where the cruise fits in a China trip

Most travelers sail the gorges between China's icon cities — fly or take the high-speed rail in, cruise the river, and continue on. Read the full city guides:

Cruise included

China itineraries that already include the gorges

Hand-picked longer routes where the Yangtze cruise is built in — hotels, trains, guides, and the ship in one plan.

The river itself

The Three Gorges, as you’ll see them

Three Gorges sceneryThree Gorges sceneryThree Gorges sceneryThree Gorges sceneryThree Gorges sceneryThree Gorges scenery

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