About Yangzi Explorer

Since 1994, Hubei Orient Royal Cruise has been redefining luxury travel along China’s greatest waterway. From our home in Yichang, we create immersive journeys that reveal the Yangtze’s soul through its cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. Our carefully crafted itineraries span the river’s most captivating sections, offering guests unparalleled access to both iconic sights and hidden treasures.

For thirty years, we have set the standard for excellence on the Yangtze. Our legacy includes hosting world-renowned figures like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett aboard our celebrated ships. This tradition continues with the new-generation Yangzi Explorer, launching in 2025 as the river’s only all-suite vessel. Featuring a 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio and suites from 31 square meters, it represents the next chapter in luxury river exploration.

We set off on a pioneering journey to create the finest travel experience on Yangtze River, for a deeper, more meaningful and more memorable way to explore this part of the world.

We offer an incredible array of sightseeing options for each day, curated to match guests’ interest, ensuring a unique and unforgettable experience.

Cruise profile

Year built: 2025
Passenger capacity: 148 guests
Crew complement: 141 crew
Hull length: 104.8 m
Hull width: 16.3 m
Gross tonnage: 7,389 tons
All-balcony suites: 74
1:1 crew-to-guest ratio

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Itinerary

Chongqing → Yichang · 4 days / 3 nights (downstream)

Day 1 — Chongqing

Arrive in Chongqing by airport or railway station, meet your local representative, and transfer to the Yangzi Explorer at Chaotianmen Dock.
Begin your downstream journey through the Yangtze River, a region known for dramatic scenery, deep cultural heritage, and the landscapes of the Three Gorges.
16:00-19:00: Embark at Chaotianmen Dock in Chongqing.
19:00-21:00: Embarkation buffet dinner on board.
20:30-21:00: Safety briefing in the Explorer Bar.
Est. 21:30: Captain’s Welcome Reception in the Explorer Bar.
Chongqing is known as China’s “Mountain City,” shaped by steep terrain and the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Its layered cityscape, river culture, and night views make it one of inland China’s most distinctive gateways.

Arrival tip: If you arrive in Chongqing on embarkation day, please arrive before 14:00. Port note: Boarding may move to Fengdu Port if river conditions require; in that case, the cruise line will arrange a shuttle transfer from downtown Chongqing and provide advance notice when possible.

Day 2 — Fuling & Zhongxian

Start the morning with early-bird tea or coffee, followed by a Tai Chi lesson led by the onboard Tai Chi master and breakfast on board.
Dock in Fuling, a historic Yangtze port known for regional heritage and its famous pickles.
Morning option A: Project 816 — explore the world’s largest known man-made military cavern, a once-secret underground complex built in the Wuling Mountains and later declassified as a major modern-history site.
Morning option B: White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum and local market — descend below the waterline to view ancient riverbed carvings dating back to the Tang dynasty, then visit a local market to see regional produce, fish, meat, and Fuling pickles.
After an à la carte lunch, enjoy leisure time on board or join the cruise’s cultural programming.
Evening option A: Beacon of Three Kingdoms show — enjoy VIP seats for a large-scale live performance inspired by Romance of the Three Kingdoms, with horseback scenes, lighting, water effects, holographic projections, and fireworks.
Evening option B: Zhongzhou Old Alley Walk — stroll through a preserved old neighborhood in Zhongxian, where local life, Ba-Yu culture, and Three Gorges traditions remain visible despite the area’s transformation after the dam project.

Day 3 — Three Gorges & Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift

Sail through Qutang Gorge in the morning light. Also known as Kui Gorge or Ba Gorge, Qutang is the first and narrowest of the Three Gorges, with steep green peaks and powerful river scenery.
After breakfast, explore Wushan with a choice of three shore experiences.
Option A: Wushan Goddess Sky Road — walk the Yangzi Explorer Trail at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, enjoy views of Goddess Peak and the Yangtze River, and continue to a private Yangzi Explorer lookout with a champagne reception. A 45-minute light-hiking option may also be available through nearby mountain villages.
Option B: Daning River and Madu River adventure — travel through the Lesser Three Gorges by scenic ferry and smaller boat, passing forested cliffs, limestone formations, and ancient hanging-coffin sites.
Option C: Bamboo Branch Angling — a seasonal, contemplative catch-and-release angling experience inspired by Wushan’s poetic river landscape. This activity follows local fishing-conservation rules and is not offered during the seasonal moratorium from March 1 to June 30.
Return to the ship for lunch as the vessel enters Wu Gorge, known for deep valleys, mist-shrouded peaks, and uninterrupted views from the ship’s restaurants.
Continue into Xiling Gorge, where cliffs, caves, waterfalls, and winding river scenery create one of the Yangtze’s most dramatic passages.
In the late evening, experience the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift. Yangzi Explorer is one of the select vessels able to pass through this engineering landmark on its own, allowing guests to view the 113-meter vertical lift from the ship or open decks.
Ship-lift navigation is subject to water level, weather, and maintenance conditions.

Day 4 — Yichang

Begin the morning with tea or coffee and a Tai Chi session. Please place checked luggage outside your cabin or at reception as instructed, and keep valuables and identification documents with you.
Early-riser option: visit Huangling Temple, located close to the pier. This National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit records centuries of Yangtze hydrological history and offers a quiet final shore experience.
After disembarkation, choose one of two morning excursions before onward transfer.
Option A: Three Gorges Dam Project — visit River Closure Park and the Three Gorges Project Museum for a close look at the world’s largest hydro-power project, its construction history, and its engineering scale.
Option B: Qu Yuan Temple and Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum — explore the cultural legacy of the poet Qu Yuan and learn about the human stories behind the communities relocated during the dam project.
After the excursion, transfer to Yichang airport or railway station for your onward journey.

Departure tip: If you leave Yichang on disembarkation day, please book a train departing after 15:00 or a flight departing after 17:00.

Day 1 — Yichang

Arrive in Yichang by airport or railway station, meet your local representative, and transfer to Huangling Temple Port to board the Yangzi Explorer.
Begin your upstream journey through the Yangtze River, a region known for majestic scenery and cultural importance.
If you arrive early enough, join the complimentary pre-cruise tour available to Yangzi Explorer guests who reach the Yichang No. 9 Pier meeting point before 14:00.
Pre-cruise option A: Three Gorges Dam Project — visit River Closure Park and the Three Gorges Project Museum to understand the scale, construction history, and impact of the dam.
Pre-cruise option B: Qu Yuan Temple and Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum — learn about Qu Yuan’s literary legacy and the relocation stories connected with the Three Gorges Dam.
If time allows, visit Huangling Temple, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit located near the pier and known for its Yangtze hydrological records.
16:00-18:00: Embark the cruise ship in Yichang.
18:00-20:00: Embarkation buffet dinner on board.
21:00-21:30: Safety briefing in the Explorer Bar.
Est. 21:30: Captain’s Welcome Reception in the Explorer Bar.

Arrival tip: If you arrive in Yichang on embarkation day, please arrive before 15:00. If you would like to join the complimentary pre-cruise tour, arrive in the morning or one day in advance.

Day 2 — Ship Lift, Xiling Gorge & Badong

In the morning, experience the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift as the Yangzi Explorer passes through the world’s largest and most advanced ship lift, with a lift capacity of 15,500 tons and a vertical rise of 113 meters.
Ship-lift navigation is subject to water level, weather, and maintenance conditions.
Continue into the western section of Xiling Gorge, one of the most dramatic portions of the Three Gorges. The surrounding Wushan, Wuling, and Daba mountain ranges converge near Badong, where the Yangtze meets the Qingjiang and Shennong rivers.
Upon arrival in Badong, choose one of two shore excursions.
Option A: Mistvale Haven — ride a wooden sampan along an underground river surrounded by striking cave formations, then enjoy local tea brewed from mountain spring water with Tujia-style snacks.
Option B: Badong Museum and Wu Gorge Lookout — explore regional history, Tujia culture, local artifacts, and folk traditions, then visit the Wu Gorge Lookout for views of cliffs, green water, and forested scenery.
In the evening, enjoy an outdoor cultural show in Badong, featuring stories of integrity, love, bravery, tradition, and local performance culture.

Day 3 — Wu & Qutang Gorges, Fengjie

If weather permits, join the complimentary early-morning “Wu Gorge Sea of Clouds” tour. Advance sign-up at the front desk is required, and the tour may be canceled if conditions are unsuitable.
After morning tea or coffee, Tai Chi, and breakfast, enjoy scenic cruising through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge.
Wu Gorge is known for forested peaks, deep valleys, and misty scenery associated with the legend of Goddess Peak.
Qutang Gorge is the shortest and narrowest of the Three Gorges, with steep cliffs and powerful river scenery that make it one of the Yangtze’s most iconic passages.
After lunch, choose from three excursions in Fengjie.
Option A: White King Town — visit the historic town on Baidi Hill near the entrance to Qutang Gorge, known for Tang dynasty poetry, calligraphy, regional history, and views of Kuimen, the scene printed on China’s 10-yuan banknote.
Option B: Poetic Trail in Qutang Gorge — walk the selected one-hour essence of a longer hiking route toward the Three Gorges Summit, with switchbacks, cliff scenery, and views across Qutang Gorge.
Option C: Three Gorges Summit — take a coach ride to one of the highest and most scenic viewpoints in the Three Gorges region, timed when possible for sunset views.

Day 4 — Shibao (Zhongxian)

This morning, dock at Shibao Pier in Zhongxian County, an area known for history, river culture, and Three Gorges heritage.
Option A: Shibaozhai — visit the Precious Stone Fortress, a remarkable wooden pavilion built against a 220-meter hill on the north bank of the Yangtze River. Its twelve floors and restoration history make it one of the region’s most distinctive architectural landmarks.
Option B: Xituo Ancient Town — cross the river from Shibaozhai to a historic town shaped by the ancient salt trade, local customs, and the trade routes of Ba culture.
Option C: Huanghua Island — explore an island in the Three Gorges Reservoir with Song dynasty history, old defensive remains, and traces of the former Huanghua City.

Day 5 — Chongqing

Disembark in the morning at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port.
Transfer to Chongqing airport, railway station, or downtown Chongqing for your onward journey.
Chongqing is known as China’s “Mountain City,” shaped by steep terrain and the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Its layered cityscape, river culture, and night views make it one of inland China’s most distinctive gateways.
Thank you for exploring the Yangtze River with Yangzi Explorer.

Departure tip: If you leave Chongqing on disembarkation day, please book a train departing after 12:00 or a flight departing after 14:00. Port note: Disembarkation may move to Fengdu Port if water level or safety conditions require; in that case, the cruise line will arrange a shuttle transfer from Fengdu Port to downtown Chongqing.

Day 1 — Yichang

Arrive in Yichang by airport or railway station, meet your local representative, and transfer to Huangling Temple Port to board the Yangzi Explorer.
Begin your upstream journey through the Yangtze River, a region known for majestic scenery and cultural importance.
If you arrive early enough, join the complimentary pre-cruise tour available to Yangzi Explorer guests who reach the Yichang No. 9 Pier meeting point before 14:00.
Pre-cruise option A: Three Gorges Dam Project — visit River Closure Park and the Three Gorges Project Museum to understand the scale, construction history, and impact of the dam.
Pre-cruise option B: Qu Yuan Temple and Hubei Three Gorges Resettlement Museum — learn about Qu Yuan’s literary legacy and the relocation stories connected with the Three Gorges Dam.
If time allows, visit Huangling Temple, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit located near the pier and known for its Yangtze hydrological records.
16:00-18:00: Embark the cruise ship in Yichang.
18:00-20:00: Embarkation buffet dinner on board.
21:00-21:30: Safety briefing in the Explorer Bar.
Est. 21:30: Captain’s Welcome Reception in the Explorer Bar.
In the evening, experience the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift as the Yangzi Explorer passes through the world’s largest and most advanced ship lift. Navigation is subject to water level, weather, and maintenance conditions.

Day 2 — Shennongjia

Start the morning with early-bird tea or coffee, followed by a Tai Chi lesson and breakfast on board.
Disembark at Xingshan Pier for a full-day tour of Shennongjia, known for pristine forests, dramatic mountains, and rare wildlife.
Shennongjia is recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, Global Geopark, and World Natural Heritage Site. It is also listed on the IUCN Green List.
Guanmenshan — visit open-air and indoor exhibits covering Shennongjia’s geology, ecosystems, fossils, and rare species such as giant pandas, giant salamanders, and cliff-dwelling Chinese honeybees.
Shennong Valley — enjoy views of mist-filled ravines, wild rhododendron forests, and mountain landscapes.
Jinhouling — walk among fir forests, arrow bamboo, waterfalls, and habitat associated with the endangered golden snub-nosed monkey.

Day 3 — Wu & Qutang Gorges, Fengjie

After morning tea or coffee, Tai Chi, and breakfast, enjoy scenic cruising through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge.
Wu Gorge is known for forested peaks, deep valleys, and misty scenery associated with the legend of Goddess Peak.
Qutang Gorge is the shortest and narrowest of the Three Gorges, with steep cliffs and powerful river scenery that make it one of the Yangtze’s most iconic passages.
After lunch, choose from three excursions in Fengjie.
Option A: White King Town — visit the historic town on Baidi Hill near the entrance to Qutang Gorge, known for Tang dynasty poetry, calligraphy, regional history, and views of Kuimen, the scene printed on China’s 10-yuan banknote.
Option B: Poetic Trail in Qutang Gorge — walk the selected one-hour essence of a longer hiking route toward the Three Gorges Summit, with switchbacks, cliff scenery, and views across Qutang Gorge.
Option C: Three Gorges Summit — take a coach ride to one of the highest and most scenic viewpoints in the Three Gorges region, timed when possible for sunset views.

Day 4 — Shibao (Zhongxian)

This morning, dock at Shibao Pier in Zhongxian County, an area known for history, river culture, and Three Gorges heritage.
Option A: Shibaozhai — visit the Precious Stone Fortress, a remarkable wooden pavilion built against a 220-meter hill on the north bank of the Yangtze River. Its twelve floors and restoration history make it one of the region’s most distinctive architectural landmarks.
Option B: Xituo Ancient Town — cross the river from Shibaozhai to a historic town shaped by the ancient salt trade, local customs, and the trade routes of Ba culture.
Option C: Huanghua Island — explore an island in the Three Gorges Reservoir with Song dynasty history, old defensive remains, and traces of the former Huanghua City.

Day 5 — Chongqing

Disembark in the morning at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port.
Transfer to Chongqing airport, railway station, or downtown Chongqing for your onward journey.
Chongqing is known as China’s “Mountain City,” shaped by steep terrain and the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Its layered cityscape, river culture, and night views make it one of inland China’s most distinctive gateways.
Thank you for exploring the Yangtze River with Yangzi Explorer.

Suites

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Deluxe Suites

The Deluxe Suites are the ship's base all-suite accommodation, designed with a private balcony and a calm contemporary layout for uninterrupted Yangtze River views. They work well for couples, friends, or small families who want more space than a standard river-cruise cabin.

Suite size: 31 sqm / 334 sq ft
Rooms: 58 suites
Occupancy: Up to 3 guests
Location: Decks 2, 3, 4, and 5
View: Private river-view balcony

Suite privileges

Twin-bed or large-bed setup, subject to cabin configuration.
Private balcony in every suite.

Deck Plans

Deck Highlight: Muster Point, Mahjong, and related upper-deck spaces.

Highlighted Facilities

Dynasty Restaurant

The main restaurant offers a spacious setting and a wide range of dining choices. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner combines buffet selections with à la carte options. Soft drinks, local beer, house wine, tea, and coffee are served during lunch and dinner.

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