How to Board Yangtze River Cruise: Embark in Chongqing & Yichang
You’ve probably heard people talking about their amazing Yangtze River cruise voyage on China holidays. Yangtze Cruise is one of the top things to do in China, especially for couples, seniors and families who love cruising. But to set sail on an memorable cruise vacation on the mighty Yangtze River, you will need this guide for Yangtze River cruise embarkation, with the ports information of Chongqing and Yichang, boarding time, and check-in tips.
Yangtze River Cruise Boarding Time, Check-in, and Ports
For Yangtze River cruises, from Chongqing to Yichang or vice versa, the primary embarkation and disembarkation ports are Chongqing Chaotianmen Wharf and Yichang Maoping Port. The boarding port and time may occasionally be adjusted, due to seasonal variations, water levels & conditions, and navigation restrictions. Therefore, make sure you confirm the final boarding terminal and time with the cruise company or your travel agency 1-3 days prior to boarding.
After you arrive in Chongqing or Yichang, here’s the information for you to know how far from the airports and railway stations to the ports.
| Port | Approx. Distance | Approx. Time Needed | |
| Chongqing Jiangbei Airport | Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock | 35 km | 40–60 minutes |
| Chongqing North Railway Station | Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock | 12 km | 20–40 minutes |
| Yichang Sanxia (Three Gorges) Airport | Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center (Jiuwan Head) | 30–35 km | 40–50 minutes |
| Yichang East Railway Station | Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center (Jiuwan Head) | 9–12 km | 25–30 minutes |
| Yichang Three Gorges Tourist Center | Yichang Maoping Port | 50–60 km | 1–1.5 hours |
Yangtze River Cruise Upstream Route: Chongqing → Yichang
What You Need to Know about Chongqing Port Embarkation
Chongqing Chaotianmen Wharf: Located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, Chongqing Chaotianmen Wharf is one of the iconic landmarks of Chongqing. Chaotianmen is the most important passenger port of call on the upper reaches of the Yangtze and the main starting and ending point for all luxury cruise ships navigating the Three Gorges. The wharf is equipped with a cruise ship boarding hall (providing services such as ticket sales, check-in, and luggage handling), a waiting area (with seats, convenience stores, coffee shops, etc.), a parking lot and other facilities to make sure passengers can board Yangtze River cruise fleets conveniently.
Port changes for boarding Yangtze Cruise ships during special periods in Chongqing: Usually it is Fengdu Port. The cruise companies will arrange free shuttle buses to bring you from the downtown Chongqing to the boarding port in Fengdu County. Common gathering locations include: Chongqing Tourist Distribution Center, Chongqing Grand Theatre, and Huguang Guild Hall. The gathering time is usually from 18:00 to 19:30.
>> Recommended 4-day Yangtze River Cruise from Chongqing to Yichang
Yangtze River Cruise Downstream Route: Yichang → Chongqing
What You Need to Know about Maoping Port Embarkation
Yichang Maoping Port: Located in Maoping Town, Yiling District, Yichang City, approximately 50 kilometers from the city center, Maoping Port is the sole embarkation/disembarkation point for Yangtze ruises in Yichang. The large-scale terminal can accommodate multiple luxury cruise ships simultaneously, featuring a waiting hall, ticket office, security check area, and offering services such as luggage check-in and shuttle bus transfers. Usually, Yangtze cruise lines arrange shuttle buses from downtown Yichang, the airport, and the high-speed rail station to Maoping Port.
>> Recommended 14-day China Train Tour with Yangtze Cruise Exploration
Yangtze Cruise Check-in Process
- Boarding procedures for Yangtze River cruises in Chongqing and Yichang differ slightly, but generally follow this process:
- Upon arrival at the pier:
- Verify your ticket and reservation details.
- Present your passport and Chinese visa for document verification.
- Hand over your luggage to staff for check-in and delivery to your cabin.
- Collect your boarding pass.
- Pass through security screening with your carry-on luggage.
- Board the ship according to your cabin assignment, enter your room, and settle in.
- Attend the cruise line's safety and itinerary briefing session.
Yangtze Cruise Boarding Tips
When you are going to board a Yangtze cruise, please have the following issue in mind.
1) Easy Tour China highly recommended our clients to book airport-pier/pier-airport transfers together with the cruise, as It will be more convenient to get on boat at pier. Please note that the ship docking information (which pier the ship will park at) can only be available within 1 or 2 days in advance. And it will also save your time to catch your flight/train to the next destination after the disembarkation of the cruise.
2) Keep the travel documents with you when boarding like the passport and tour confirmation, our local guide will help you with check-in. If you don't book the transfer service, we will provide you the mobile phone number of the ship in the tour confirmation and email you the information of docking pier 1-2 days before the cruise. When on board, please show your voucher of the cruise to the receptionist of the ship for check-in.
3) Usually passengers are recommended to board on the cruise after 17:00, as there is no service available before that time. Please note that the dinner at the first night in not included in the cruise fare, we usually include the dinner in the itinerary of the package tours at the local restaurant, while for those who do not book the transfer service and guide, they can choose to dine either at the city downtown or on board by a la carte.
4) There is no quantity limit for your luggage. You can place your travel luggage in the cabin. Please keep in mind that the size of standard cabins are smaller than the hotel rooms of 4 or 5 star hotels. It won't be so convenient to bring so much luggage with you on board.
5) Usually Easy Tour China includes the porter fees (one piece per person) when boarding the cruise - there are some stairs from the bank to the ship, especially during dry season. If the clients have more luggage needed to be carried to the cruise, the extra cost is about US$2 per piece. For the clients who don't book the transfer service, they can hire a porter at the dock area by paying them about US$2 per piece. The cost is subject to change without prior notice.
6) Most of the Yangtze cruise ships depart at 9:00-10:00pm. They will not wait for the customers who are late for boarding. In case of missing the cruise, please contact your travel specialist of Easy Tour China immediately if you don't have a local guide. We will respond soon to transfer you to where the ship stops early next morning so that you can enjoy the rest of Yangtze River cruise although the first-day excursion will be missed. The extra cost will be on the clients' account unless Easy Tour China is liable for it.