Updated: April 2026
After days of fast-paced travel across China — cities, trains, crowds and constant movement — the Yangtze River cruise came as a welcome change of pace.
For two nights and three days, everything slowed down.
It was my first experience of cruising, and it turned out to be one of the most relaxing and visually striking parts of the entire journey.
A Different Way to See China
We boarded our cruise boat in Chongqing, a vast and rapidly growing city, where the skyline lit up beautifully as we set sail in the evening.
As the boat pulled away, the bright city lights gradually faded into the distance, replaced by the quiet rhythm of the river.
It felt like we were stepping into a completely different side of China.
Life On Board
Our boat, the China Goddess 2, felt more like a floating hotel than anything else.
The rooms were comfortable, each with a small balcony, something I quickly came to appreciate as we drifted through the changing landscapes.
What made the experience even more unique was that we were the only non-Chinese-speaking passengers on board. The rest of the travellers were domestic tourists, and they were warm, friendly and curious.
With just a few words — “Ni hao” and “Xie xie” — we managed to connect, smile, and share the experience in our own simple way
Through the Three Gorges
The highlight of the cruise was travelling through the famous Three Gorges — a series of dramatic landscapes carved by the river over thousands of years.
Towering cliffs rose on either side, sometimes disappearing into a soft mist that gave the whole scene an almost dreamlike quality.
It was peaceful, quiet, and quite mesmerising — a stark contrast to the busy cities we had left behind.
Exploring Along the Way
Each day, we stepped off the boat to explore different sites along the river.
One visit involved climbing several hundred steps to reach a hilltop temple — a reminder that even on a “relaxing” cruise in China, there was still a bit of effort required!
Another highlight was taking a smaller boat into the Lesser Three Gorges, where the scenery became even more intimate — narrow waterways, steep cliffs, and a sense of stillness that was quite special.
One of the most fascinating sights was something quite unexpected — a hanging coffin, perched high up on the side of a cliff. Even with binoculars, it was hard to comprehend how it had been placed there all those years ago.
The Three Gorges Dam
A visit to the impressive Three Gorges Dam was another key moment of the cruise.
The sheer scale of the dam is difficult to grasp until you see it for yourself.
There was a strong security presence, and the site was busy with visitors, many of them schoolchildren keen to practise their English with us. We were greeted with enthusiastic “hello” and “how are you?” from all directions, which made us feel like minor celebrities!
Evenings on the River
Evenings on board were relaxed and enjoyable.
There was a farewell dinner hosted by the captain, along with entertainment organised by our boat guide — a lovely way to bring everyone together at the end of the journey.
After days of constant movement earlier in the trip, it felt good to simply sit back, enjoy the atmosphere, and reflect on everything we had experienced so far.
A Different Pace, A Different Perspective
What I loved most about the Yangtze River cruise was the change in rhythm.
After the energy of Beijing, the history of Xi’an, and the intensity of Chengdu, the river offered space to breathe.
It allowed me to see a quieter, more reflective side of China — one shaped by nature, history and the steady flow of the river itself.
Final Thoughts
The Yangtze River cruise was not just a journey between destinations — it was an experience in its own right.
Calm, scenic, and quietly fascinating, it provided a perfect balance to the faster-paced parts of the trip.
And for me, it marked the beginning of something new — a growing appreciation for travelling by water, which I would go on to explore further in later journeys.
This post is part of my China travel series. You can read more from the journey here:
