3 Night Downstream Cruise departing from Chongqing to Yichang onboard Yangzi Explorer.

At 3,900 miles, Yangzi River is the longest river in Asia, and third in the world. It winds through most beautiful land forms in the world, the Yangzi River reaches the edge of the Tibetan plateau, and plunges off the roof of the world through huge gorges.

The Yangzi River provides 40% of China's freshwater resources, its basin provides more than 70% of the country's rice and 40% of the grain.With its numerous tributaries and feeders, the Yangzi River provides a great transportation network through the heart of some of the most densely populated areas in China.

Set sail on board the new Yangzi Explorer traveling along the mighty Yangzi River. The magnificent Three Gorges region frames a cruise that is unsurpassed in sheer physical beauty which draws on over 3,000 years of cultural history. Enjoy the exhilarating shore excursions that highlight the beauty and heritage of the area while relaxing on board the only international deluxe ship sailing the Yangzi today.

Shore excursions are an integral part of any cruise. Yangzi Explorer craft itineraries which visit all the nature highlights of Three Gorges whilst also including fascinating lesser- known sights and opportunities to experience the real life of Chinese in the region.

CHONGQING
Our river cruises originate and / or end in the cities of Chongqing,nicknamed the "Capital of the Mist".Chongqing located in the southeastern part of the Sichuan Basin, where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet, is the largest industrial and commercial city in southwestern China and the economic center of the upper reach of the Yangtze. It is a metropolis under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government. Called Yu for short, Chongqing was established some 3,000 years ago. It is also known as a city of mountains,rivers, and fog.

FENGDU
Fengdu is traditionally known as the town of ghosts. Upon the Mingshan Hill above the river is a temple with a number of halls and statues of ghosts and devils. Further upstream along the river valley is the Snow Jade Cave-an impressive karst formation cave, with a total length of 1,644 meters, containing a range of stalagmites and stalactites.

THREE GORGES
The Three Gorges extend 193km along the Yangtze River, comprising of the arresting Qutang Gorge, the idyllic Wu Gorge and the treacherous Xiling Gorge. It is one of China's finest areas of scenery, cultural history and sources of tourism.

Qutang Gorge is the shortest, narrowest and rockiest of the three gorges. Qutang Gorge is abundant with historical relics and is home to one of the earlist human cultures ever discovered in Asia.

Wu Gorge Passing through wondrous Wu Gorge, home of the twelve peaks of the Wu Mountains, experience a meandering landscape of dazzling peaks and rocks, forming a whimsical gallery of natural beauty. Shennong Stream is located in this gorge.

Xiling Gorge is famous for its strangely-shaped cliff faces and rock formations and is the largest of the Three Gorges. It also used to be the most perilous part of the river journey before its large river rocks were removed in 1950's. One of the most memorable passages in the Xiling Gorge is through the Yellow Ox Gorge (Huangniu Xia) where the river widens and sweeps under the Huangling Temple.

SHENNONG STREAM
Starts at Mt Shennong Jia in Hubei Province north of the Yangzi. Sail through the Parrot Gorge and Dragon Boat Gorge amid breathtaking scenery of lush pine and crystalline waters, discovering the ancient plank roads, ancient cave coffins, aqueous caves, rainbow fountain and rare animals like macaques and mandarin ducks.

THREE GORGES PROJECT
Currently the largest dam construction project on earth. The Three Gorges Dam Project was begun in 1992 and will be completed and operational in 2009. The dam will be the largest dam on earth, generating 18,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity. The dam will be 1.2 miles in length and measure 600 feet (185 meters) in height. The dam will have 26 generators that, once in operation, will generate enough clean energy to reduce China's reliance of highly polluting coal by up to 50 million tonsannually. The dam will submerge 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages and over 600 industrial factories not to mention the>more than 1,200 archeological projects and the 1.2 million people that will be resettled as a result of the flooding.

YICHANG
Yichang City is located at west Hubei Province, it is where the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River are divided. Thanks to its advantageous geographic location, Yichang has been defined as a distributing center, an important trading port and a transportation hub along the Yangtze river linking west Hubei and east Sichuan since ancient times. For a very long time, it has been renown as "Gateway to the Three Gorges", and "Throat between Sichuan and Hubei". Today,Yichang remains a brisk river port of China, controlling the access to Chongqing City to its southwest. Also the world famous Three Gorge Project Dam is located at Yichang Area.