Yangtze River Cruises — Private & Tailor-made
Sail the legendary Yangtze on a private, fully customized cruise: luxury cabins, local cultural shore excursions, expert English-speaking guides, and flexible itineraries that fit your pace. Perfect for families, couples, and small groups.
Free itinerary design • Private transfers • 24/7 local support
Why choose a private Yangtze cruise?
- Custom schedule: stop where you want, linger where you love.
- Private shore excursions with local experts & English guides.
- All logistics handled: visas advice, transfers, hotels, and dining.
Our service in one line
From pre-trip planning to on-board comfort and post-cruise transfers — HelloChinaTrip builds a seamless, safe, and authentic Yangtze River experience for international travelers.
Quick facts
Best time: April–October • Typical cruise length: 3–7 nights • Highlights: Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, local villages, scenic gorges.
Sample 5-day Yangtze Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 — Embark in Chongqing
Private transfer from Chongqing airport, embarkation, welcome dinner, safety briefing.
Day 2 — Qutang & Wuxia Gorges
Scenic cruising, short shore walks, evening cultural performance on board.
Day 3 — Three Gorges Dam & Small Town Visit
Visit the Three Gorges Dam visitor center; optional bicycle or village walk.
Day 4 — Shennong Stream or Local Market
Optional small-boat excursion (weather permitting) or guided market visit.
Day 5 — Disembark in Yichang
Private transfer to Yichang airport/rail station. Optional Wuhan or Beijing add-on.
What's included & Optional Add-ons
Included
- Private cabin & daily meals on board
- English-speaking guide & local expert excursions
- All transfers and port fees
- Pre-travel planning, visa guidance, emergency support
Optional Add-ons
- Private photographer or videographer
- Pre- or post-cruise hotel nights in Chongqing, Yichang or Wuhan
- Guided hikes, birdwatching, culinary experiences
How we tailor your cruise
- Tell us your dates & interests: culture, nature, food, photography.
- We propose 2–3 itineraries: with exact cabin/shore-excursion options.
- Book & finalize: deposits, flight support, visa paperwork guidance.
- On-trip support: 24/7 local help and a dedicated English-speaking contact.
What our travelers say
“Amazing private cruise — flexible stops and a brilliant guide. Everything was taken care of.” — Anna, UK
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa?
Most international visitors require a Chinese visa. We provide step-by-step guidance and invitation letters when required.
Is English spoken on board?
We provide English-speaking guides for all private shore excursions; level of English among crew varies by ship class but is always supported by our local guide.
Parah Parah2025-09-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had seen pictures of Zhangjiajie (Avatar mountains) but being there in person is another level. HelloChinaTrip took care of everything—tickets, cable car, even recommending the best trail to avoid big crowds. Our guide showed us a quiet spot with an amazing view for photos. The weather was a bit foggy, but it actually made the scenery look more mysterious. Absolutely worth it. Laura de la Mora2025-09-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Zhoa zhoa fue nuestra guía en la muralla china y todo estuvo espectacular! Oyku2025-09-17Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. West Lake was even more beautiful than I imagined. HelloChinaTrip arranged a private boat ride, which felt so calm and romantic. Afterwards we visited a local tea plantation and tasted Longjing tea—it was such a unique experience. I really liked how everything felt smooth, no waiting in line or confusion. Perfectly organized. aldi ahza2025-09-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The landscapes around Guilin are like something out of a painting. HelloChinaTrip organized a river cruise for us, which was breathtaking, and then a bicycle ride through the countryside in Yangshuo. It felt so peaceful riding past rice fields with mountains all around. Our guide Wang was funny and patient, and he even stopped for us to take photos whenever we wanted. Aldi Ahza2025-09-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The landscapes around Guilin are like something out of a painting. HelloChinaTrip organized a river cruise for us, which was breathtaking, and then a bicycle ride through the countryside in Yangshuo. It felt so peaceful riding past rice fields with mountains all around. Our guide Wang was funny and patient, and he even stopped for us to take photos whenever we wanted. rislaisa Indraini2025-09-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seeing the pandas in Chengdu was a dream of mine since childhood, and HelloChinaTrip made it happen. Our guide timed the visit perfectly so we caught them playing and eating bamboo instead of just sleeping. She also suggested a hotpot restaurant for lunch—it was spicy but so good! I appreciated that the tour didn’t feel rushed at all. yaya ey2025-09-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had just 3 days in Shanghai, so I wanted to make the most of it. HelloChinaTrip customized the itinerary to fit exactly what I wanted. The night view at the Bund was stunning, and Yu Garden felt like stepping back in time. My guide even helped me get a local SIM card at the airport when I couldn’t figure it out. That kind of small help made me feel very comfortable traveling in a new country. Wahyuni Arista Dewi2025-09-10Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I wasn’t sure what to expect in Xi’an, but the Terracotta Warriors blew me away. They look so alive! HelloChinaTrip’s organization was top notch—our driver was on time, the car was clean, and our guide Mr. Zhang explained everything in perfect English. He also took us to try dumplings afterwards, which were delicious. Only regret is that I didn’t stay longer in Xi’an to explore more. Joseph Lee2025-09-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. First time using this company and arranged a solo trip to Zhangjiajie from 30 Aug to 5 Sept 2025. Making payment with Alipay was easy and itinerary was flexible since I also wanted to travel to Furong Ancient Town because I heard it was beautiful there at night. The company arranged hotel stays, pick up from airport, train tickets and had a guide/driver to accompany on my visits to the National Forests, Grand Canyon and Furong Town. Price is very reasonable and economical. when I arrived, I felt like a VIP since I was the only tourist with one driver/guide and later found out that this company arranged for 1 to 4 persons by car or more by MPV. I felt safe every step of the way as they continued to communicate with me by sending through WhatsApp the transport and pick-up driver details. I must also thank the driver/guide Mr. Wang De who although spoke to me in Mandarin which I could only catch like 60% but he was overall a good companion during my trip. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and the very once a lifetime beautiful sights. I am planning to visit Tibet next year and I will certainly use this company again. ayu calau2025-09-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Climbing the Great Wall was honestly the highlight of my trip to China. HelloChinaTrip arranged everything from the driver to the entrance tickets, so I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Our guide, Lily, had so many fun stories about the history, and she even knew the best spots where it’s less crowded for photos. It was hot that day, but she brought us bottled water which was thoughtful. Truly unforgettable.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more