8 Days Chongqing-Yangtze River Cruise and Zhangjiajie Tour

Morning – Transfer to Wulong Karst Geopark

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Wulong Karst Geopark (approx. 3 hours). The region is part of the South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for giant sinkholes, natural bridges, caves, and dramatic limestone formations shaped over millions of years. It is also a filming location for major international movies such as Transformers IV, making it one of the most iconic geological landscapes in China.

Afternoon – Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area Exploration

Upon arrival at Wulong Tourist Center, take a sightseeing bus into Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area, the largest natural bridge cluster in Asia. Descend into the valley via sightseeing elevator and explore massive limestone arches formed by natural erosion. Walk through deep unroofed caves, canyon corridors, waterfalls, and karst rock formations surrounded by vertical cliffs and forested landscapes.

Follow scenic walking routes passing Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge, as well as historical film locations such as Tianfu Official Post House. The entire area offers a combination of geological wonder, natural beauty, and cinematic scenery.

Evening – High-Speed Train to Zhangjiajie

After sightseeing, transfer to Wulong South Railway Station and take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival, meet your local guide at the station and transfer to your hotel in Wulingyuan District by private vehicle. Hotel check-in and rest after travel.

Optional Evening Activity: Walk along Xibu Street, a lively pedestrian area filled with ethnic-style shops, local snacks, cultural performances, and illuminated night scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch included
Accommodation: Hotel in Zhangjiajie / Wulingyuan

Morning – Ten-mile Gallery Scenic Area

After breakfast, enter the UNESCO World Heritage site Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Begin with Ten-mile Gallery, a scenic valley route where sightseeing trams pass through dramatic sandstone formations. Along the route, admire uniquely shaped peaks resembling natural sculptures such as “The God of Longevity,” “Old Herb Picker,” and “Three Sisters Peaks.” The valley offers a relaxed introduction to the region’s geological landscape.

Afternoon – Yuanjiajie & Bailong Elevator Experience

Take the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor glass elevator, ascending rapidly from the valley floor to the mountain summit in about 1.5 minutes. Arrive at Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, famous for towering sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.

Explore highlights such as Ecstasy Terrace, offering panoramic views of endless stone peaks, and First Bridge under Heaven, a natural stone arch connecting two cliffs. The entire area is often covered in mist, creating a floating mountain illusion and surreal landscape atmosphere.

Afternoon – Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area

Continue by sightseeing bus to Tianzi Mountain, known for its cloud sea views and peak forest formations. Visit Helong Park Viewing Platform for close-up views of iconic peaks such as Yubi Peak and surrounding stone forests. Explore additional viewpoints such as Fairy Flowers and Warrior Training Horse, where rock formations resemble warriors and horses carved by nature.

End the scenic tour with a cable car descent offering sweeping views of sandstone pillars and deep valleys.

Evening – Return to Zhangjiajie City

Transfer to downtown Zhangjiajie for hotel check-in and rest after a full-day mountain exploration.

Optional Activity: Kongzhong Tianyuan (Field in the Sky), a terraced landscape surrounded by stone peaks, ideal for photography. Optional evening performance: Tianmen Fox Fairy Show, a large-scale outdoor musical staged against real mountain scenery.

Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: Hotel in Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain Cableway - Tianmen Mountain - Tianmen Cave; High-speed Train to Chongqing

After breakfast, your guide and driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Tianmen Mountain, one of the most iconic attractions in Zhangjiajie, famous for its record-breaking alpine cableway and the legendary natural arch known as Tianmen Cave.

Begin your journey with the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, a 7,455-meter-long ride ascending from downtown Zhangjiajie to over 1,400 meters above sea level. During the ride, enjoy panoramic views of the winding Tongtian Avenue (99 Bends Road), deep valleys, forest-covered cliffs, and dramatic karst landscapes visible through transparent cabins.

Upon arrival at the mountaintop, explore the West Line Scenic Route, also known as “Looking for Wonderland.” Walk through cliffside paths such as the Guigu Cliffside Walkway, suspended along vertical rock faces offering thrilling views of the abyss below. Continue to Tianmen Mountain Temple, a historic Buddhist site originally built in the Tang Dynasty, surrounded by dense forest and peaceful mountain atmosphere.

Afterward, you may continue to the East Line Scenic Area, including viewpoints such as Yuhu Peak, Immortal Source, and forest corridors filled with natural rock formations and misty landscapes. Alternatively, take an optional forest cableway up to Yunmeng Fairy Summit, one of the highest viewpoints on Tianmen Mountain.

Next, descend via the Transmountain Escalator System toward the base of Tianmen Cave, a massive natural arch formed by erosion and rock collapse. The cave stands 131.5 meters high and is one of the largest natural mountain openings in the world. Continue walking down the famous 999 Heaven Stairway, a steep stone staircase with extreme vertical drop views.

Finally, take the express cableway and shuttle bus back to the mountain entrance, where your guide and driver will meet you.

After the tour, transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train to Chongqing (approx. 2–3 hours). Upon arrival in Chongqing, meet your local guide and transfer to your downtown hotel for check-in.

Important Note: The sightseeing order at Tianmen Mountain may be adjusted depending on cable car queue time, weather conditions, and train schedule to ensure smooth transfer.

Three Gorges Museum - People’s Assembly Hall - Liziba Metro Station - Hongya Cave; Yangtze River Cruise Embarkation

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel to begin a full-day exploration of Chongqing, the famous “Mountain City” built on rivers and steep hills.

Start with the Three Gorges Museum, home to over 280,000 cultural relics showcasing the history of the Yangtze River, Three Gorges civilization, and the transformation of Chongqing from ancient times to a modern municipality. Exhibitions highlight archaeology, wartime history, and regional cultural development.

Continue to the People’s Assembly Hall, one of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks, known for its grand classical dome structure and inclusion in global architectural history records.

Next, experience the world-famous Liziba Metro Station, where a modern light rail train passes directly through a residential building. This engineering marvel reflects Chongqing’s unique mountain-based urban design and vertical city structure.

Then visit the “Eye in the Clouds” Observation Deck (Altitude 520m) for a full 360-degree panoramic view of Chongqing, including rivers, bridges, skyscrapers, and layered mountain city landscapes.

Afterward, proceed to Hongya Cave, a cliffside complex built in traditional stilt-style architecture. At night, the entire structure lights up, creating one of China’s most iconic illuminated riverfront views, with golden reflections on the Yangtze River.

Finally, transfer to Chaotianmen Dock and board your luxury Yangtze River Cruise. The ship departs at approximately 21:00, beginning your scenic journey through the Three Gorges region.

Notes for Yangtze Cruise Embarkation:

1. Chaotianmen Dock has multiple sub-piers; exact boarding point must be confirmed one day in advance.
2. The dock area includes stairs due to renovation, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
3. Boarding time may vary depending on cruise company, water level, and seasonal conditions.

Morning – Leisure Sailing on Yangtze River

Wake up onboard the luxury Yangtze River Cruise and enjoy a relaxing morning as the ship sails through calm river waters surrounded by mountain landscapes. The Yangtze River scenery changes continuously with misty valleys, riverside villages, and green hills along the route. Guests may enjoy onboard activities such as Tai Chi on the sundeck, coffee time, or cultural lectures about the Three Gorges region.

Afternoon – Shore Excursion to Fengdu County & Fengdu Ghost City

Arrive at Fengdu County, a key cultural region of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, known for its combination of natural scenery and traditional spiritual culture. Visit Fengdu Ghost City, the most famous attraction in the area, representing ancient Chinese beliefs about the afterlife and Taoist mythology. The site features temples, statues, and symbolic structures depicting traditional underworld stories and cultural legends.

Walk through stairways, temple complexes, and scenic viewpoints while learning about Chinese folklore, religious symbolism, and historical interpretation of life and death culture in ancient China.

Optional – Zhongxian County Cultural Show

In the late afternoon, the cruise may stop at Zhongxian County for an optional performance: Feng Yan San Guo Show, a large-scale outdoor historical performance based on the Three Kingdoms Period. The show combines lights, sound effects, and natural landscapes to recreate historical battle scenes and cultural stories of loyalty and heroism.

Evening – Onboard Entertainment

Return to the cruise for evening activities including live performances, music shows, and Captain’s welcome events while continuing navigation along the Yangtze River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
Accommodation: Luxury Yangtze River Cruise cabin

Morning – Sailing through Qutang Gorge

Continue cruising through the most dramatic section of the Yangtze River, entering Qutang Gorge, known for its narrow river channel, towering cliffs, and powerful natural scenery. The landscape is extremely steep and compact, creating one of the most impressive canyon views in the Three Gorges region.

Afternoon – Wu Gorge Scenic Sailing & Side Stream Excursion

Proceed into Wu Gorge, famous for its long, elegant mountain ridges, mist-covered peaks, and deep valley scenery. The atmosphere becomes quieter and more poetic, with layered mountains stretching into the horizon.

Optional excursion to side streams such as Shennv Stream, Shennong Stream, or the Lesser Three Gorges, where guests experience narrow waterways, hanging cliffs, waterfalls, and untouched natural environments by small sightseeing boats.

Evening – Captain’s Farewell Party

In the evening, join the Captain’s Farewell Party onboard, featuring cultural performances, music entertainment, and group celebrations. Enjoy the final night sailing through the illuminated river landscapes of the Yangtze River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
Accommodation: Luxury Yangtze River Cruise cabin

Morning – Visit Three Gorges Dam

After breakfast, disembark at Maoping Port and visit the world-famous Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydropower project in the world. This massive engineering structure controls flooding, generates electricity, and reshapes the flow of the Yangtze River. Enjoy panoramic views from observation platforms overlooking the dam body, river channels, and surrounding mountain scenery.

Optional experience includes the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, one of the most advanced vertical ship transport systems in the world, allowing vessels to pass through large elevation differences in a single operation.

Afternoon – Transfer to Yichang

After the dam visit, take the cruise-arranged transfer to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. Depending on schedule, optional visit to Yichang Museum or city landmarks may be arranged before departure.

Evening – Departure from Yichang

Transfer to Yichang Sanxia Airport or railway station for onward travel. End of service.

Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: Not included