China Popular Itineraries |
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Vacation within a vacation |
You get to unwind on a ship in the middle of your fast paced China land tour. It becomes a vacation within a vacation.
Yangtze River Cruise tips & insights
The ideal months to visit are April, May, September and October because June to August can be hot and November to March, wintry.
The most popular Yangtze River cruise route is Chongqing to Yichang. It is 660 kilometers (410 miles) long - about 10% of the Yangtze River's length.
A downstream Chongqing to Yichang voyage (4 days, 3 nights) costs a little more than its upstream equivalent, but it saves you a day of travel.
Unlike ocean cruise ships, those on the Yangtze are much smaller (normally about 100 cabins). The experience is more personal, which makes it easier to get to know fellow passengers.
Moreover, shore excursions (which can sometimes be expensive extras) are typically included in the cruise fare.
You have a choice of several dozen cruise ships. Some are first rate (see next item), some are middling, some are cramped "rust buckets". Generally, you get what you pay for.
The Yangtze River begins in the lofty mountains of Tibet and Qinghai provinces. Nearly 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) later, it empties into the East China Sea near Shanghai.
It is the world's third longest river (after the Amazon and Nile). |
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