A journey along China's longest river
The Yangtze, stretching more than 6,300 kilometers from the Tibetan plateau to the East China Sea, is China's lifeblood. A cruise along its most scenic stretch — through the Three Gorges between Chongqing and Yichang — reveals sheer limestone cliffs, misty peaks, and the ancient towns that once lined the world's busiest waterways.
The gorges have been transformed by the Three Gorges Dam, the largest power station on Earth, yet the region's natural drama remains breathtaking. Side excursions lead to the Shennong Stream and its boatmen poling traditional rafts, past hanging coffins and cliffside plank roads from centuries past.
Further downstream, the Yangtze connects China's heartland cities — Wuhan, Nanjing, and finally Shanghai, where the river meets the sea. The river has inspired poets, painters, and dynasties for 5,000 years, and no journey to China is complete without experiencing its mighty flow.
