Yangtze River Cruise Season Opens with New Luxury Vessels
tourism • 22 March 2026
The 2026 Yangtze River cruise season has officially commenced, with two new luxury vessels joining the fleet. The Century Harmony and Victoria Grace both feature private balcony cabins, onboard spas, and English-speaking activity coordinators. The standard 4-night downstream cruise from Chongqing to Yichang passes through the spectacular Three Gorges and includes shore excursions to the Ghost City of Fengdu and the Lesser Three Gorges. Prices for Australian travellers start from approximately AUD ,200 per person in a standard balcony cabin. Industry experts recommend booking April or October sailings for the best combination of weather and value. The cruise is easily combined with visits to Chengdu (2 hours from Chongqing by high-speed rail) and makes an excellent addition to longer China tour itineraries.