Yangtze River Only ground transport Tours & Trip Packages

Yangtze River Only ground transport Tours & Trips

31 Yangtze River trips. Tours from 39 tour companies. 66 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

11 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
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Only ground transport
China Experience
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Yangshuo, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • This is one of our most comprehensive trips in China, covering huge distances and taking in key destinations from north to south with plenty of variety in experiences and sights along the way
  • Zip through the country from north to south on its efficient high-speed rail network.
  • Take through the iconic scenery of the Yangzi River as you meander through the dramatic Three Gorges on a three-day cruise
  • No matter how many guide books you have read, nothing truly prepares you for the grandeur and immensity of historic sights like the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Leshan Big Buddha and the Terracotta Army. However, the country's modern man-made sights refuse to beoutdone, and you can see the modern equivalence of those ancient feats in the skyline of Hong Kong and the Yangzi River's Three Gorges Hydroelectric dam
  • Get up close to giant pandas in Chengdu and learn about the preservation work required for this ancient species.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Private Guided China Delights
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Beijing, Guilin, Shanghai, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Xian

Highlights

  • Must-see sights in China - Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army
  • Walk into a local Chinese family, interact & dine with the hosts in their home
  • Try biking on the Ming Dynasty City Wall of Xi'an, or tour by electric car
  • Cruise on the Huangpu River to take in the impressive skylines of Shanghai

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"TCGT is a company you need for an “all inclusive” trip in China. Emily arranged for us a perfect tailored itinerary based on our preferences. Hotel, transports and guides were professional, gentle and fluent English-speaking. We thank TCGT for such wonderful and perfect vacation in China and we highlight its services to everyone."

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Three Gorges Highlights: Yichang to Chongqing
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5/5 Excellent
4 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Chongqing, Three Gorges Dam, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • Visit to the Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping
  • Sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles), and the deepest of the Three Gorges
  • Explore to Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs
  • Take a shore excursion to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"While China is a very hectic, very overwhelming country, it is also a country filled with incredible natural beauty. For the average tourist, these beautiful sites are largely inaccessible or extremely difficult to access due to a combination of language barriers and lack of public transportation. One of these gorgeous areas is located between Yichang and Chongqing: the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. With this in mind, many cruise companies have begun offering multi-day trips down the Yangtze River, making the relatively inaccessible easily accessible. One such cruise company is Victoria Cruises. They have a range of vessels and itineraries to suit one’s needs. We decided to hop aboard their most prestigious boat, the Victoria Jenna, for a five night/four day cruise luxurious cruise through the gorges. Newly renovated this year, the ship exudes class and comfort. The rooms aboard the Victoria Jenna were clean and quite spacious considering we were on a ship. To compliment the five-star standard within the rooms itself, the Victoria Jenna offered ample facilities for it’s guests. Whether you want to lounge on the rooftop or grab a drink at the lovely Yangtze Club bar, there’s something for everyone. The dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner were fantastic; the Victoria Jenna offered an array of food from Asian to Western cuisine. Of course, one of the main reason people cruise is for the excursions. We were lucky enough to go on all of the included and optional tours offered on the Victoria Jenna, and I’m thrilled that we did. They outsource local guides that are truly knowledgable about each and every site. Last but not least, I was astounded by the staff; never have I seen a staff so attentive and friendly. A very special shoutout goes to Dick, our Cruise Director, who made sure that everything we needed was taken care of; Steven, our River Guide, who not only knew the in’s and out’s of the Yangtze, but also taught Mahjong and Chinese 101, on top of playing MC for the week; and Maggie, our fantastic waitress for every meal in the Executive Lounge, who not only knew us by name, but knew all of our food and drink preferences as well. I wouldn't cruise down the river with any company other than Victoria Cruises! It was truly the highlight of my month-long journey in China. Thanks again! Sarah Founder, The Five Foot Traveler"

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Three Gorges Highlights: Chongqing to Yichang
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4.2/5 Great
4 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Chongqing, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • Explore Chongqing, the “Mountain City”
  • Visit Shibaozhai and Fengdu’s “Ghost City”
  • Explore The Three Gorges.

Themes

50 plus, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"While China is a very hectic, very overwhelming country, it is also a country filled with incredible natural beauty. For the average tourist, these beautiful sites are largely inaccessible or extremely difficult to access due to a combination of language barriers and lack of public transportation. One of these gorgeous areas is located between Yichang and Chongqing: the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. With this in mind, many cruise companies have begun offering multi-day trips down the Yangtze River, making the relatively inaccessible easily accessible. One such cruise company is Victoria Cruises. They have a range of vessels and itineraries to suit one’s needs. We decided to hop aboard their most prestigious boat, the Victoria Jenna, for a five night/four day cruise luxurious cruise through the gorges. Newly renovated this year, the ship exudes class and comfort. The rooms aboard the Victoria Jenna were clean and quite spacious considering we were on a ship. To compliment the five-star standard within the rooms itself, the Victoria Jenna offered ample facilities for it’s guests. Whether you want to lounge on the rooftop or grab a drink at the lovely Yangtze Club bar, there’s something for everyone. The dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner were fantastic; the Victoria Jenna offered an array of food from Asian to Western cuisine. Of course, one of the main reason people cruise is for the excursions. We were lucky enough to go on all of the included and optional tours offered on the Victoria Jenna, and I’m thrilled that we did. They outsource local guides that are truly knowledgable about each and every site. Last but not least, I was astounded by the staff; never have I seen a staff so attentive and friendly. A very special shoutout goes to Dick, our Cruise Director, who made sure that everything we needed was taken care of; Steven, our River Guide, who not only knew the in’s and out’s of the Yangtze, but also taught Mahjong and Chinese 101, on top of playing MC for the week; and Maggie, our fantastic waitress for every meal in the Executive Lounge, who not only knew us by name, but knew all of our food and drink preferences as well. I wouldn't cruise down the river with any company other than Victoria Cruises! It was truly the highlight of my month-long journey in China. Thanks again! Sarah Founder, The Five Foot Traveler"

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Legendary China & Yangtze River Cruise
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chongqing, Great Wall of China, Shanghai, Xian

Highlights

  • Visit the Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square in Beijing
  • Stroll along the Great Wall of China
  • See the Terra Cotta Warriors at Xi’an, dubbed the “8th Wonder of the World”
  • See Giant Pandas at Chongqing Zoo
  • 3-night Yangtze River Cruise & 3 included shore excursions

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Tour is advertised as an "active" tour. However, YMT sold the tours to seniors and others who were unable to walk more than 1/8 mile, unable to navigate stairs or had to walk with the aid of walkers. As a result, 80 percent of the "explorations" were to visitor centers, look out points, stores or washrooms, that were within 100 feet or less of the bus. This tour should be categorized as "relaxed". A big disappointment! The bus driver was friendly and accommodating and drove us safely from one site to another. He sold water to the guests in small bottles for $1 each. I think YMT should be more conscientious of the environment and at least offer bottle refills, especially since the guide practically demanded that each person drink one gallon of water per day. The tour guide was marginally knowledgeable about the area and spent too much time telling us about her private life and friends. She led one hike, but talked mostly about how the rains had changed the landscape. One day she left two guests at the hotel and wanted the people on the bus to take responsibility for not letting her know that people were missing. We were encouraged to find hikes to take on our own, which I felt compromised safety, especially when we had an hour or so to "explore" - there was no safety or backup plan, especially if something untoward happened on a hike. She opted out of taking us to the sunset tour of the Grand Canyon telling us that it was raining and we wouldn't be able to see anything. So a couple of us went to the site on our own and it was possibly one of the best experiences I had on the entire tour (and not a drop of rain!). I often felt bullied into purchasing lunches or meals "offered" by the guide, who made it sound like there were no other options. It was difficult to listen to her brag about how well she was doing and how happy everyone was, when many people were complaining that the tour was not what they expected - mostly because it was too active!!! The accommodations were mostly good - a couple of anomalies (one with a plugged sink and no hot water for a shower, another with a pervasive bad odor). The excursions offered at the time of booking were mostly unavailable later (except for the over-priced meals). Another disappointment because I booked the tour partly because of one of the excursions offered at the time of booking. I would not recommend this tour, because I don't think it is advertised correctly."

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Grand Yangtze Discovery: Shanghai to Chongqing
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4.5/5 Excellent
4 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Chongqing, Shanghai, Three Gorges Dam, Yangtze River

Highlights

  • Visit Nanjing, where you will tour the Sun Yat-sen Memorial
  • An excursion to Jiuhuashan or “Mountain of the Nine Lotuses”, one of the four sacred mountains in Chinese Buddhism
  • Visit the Hubei Provincial Museum.
  • Visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest in the world.
  • Visit Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"While China is a very hectic, very overwhelming country, it is also a country filled with incredible natural beauty. For the average tourist, these beautiful sites are largely inaccessible or extremely difficult to access due to a combination of language barriers and lack of public transportation. One of these gorgeous areas is located between Yichang and Chongqing: the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. With this in mind, many cruise companies have begun offering multi-day trips down the Yangtze River, making the relatively inaccessible easily accessible. One such cruise company is Victoria Cruises. They have a range of vessels and itineraries to suit one’s needs. We decided to hop aboard their most prestigious boat, the Victoria Jenna, for a five night/four day cruise luxurious cruise through the gorges. Newly renovated this year, the ship exudes class and comfort. The rooms aboard the Victoria Jenna were clean and quite spacious considering we were on a ship. To compliment the five-star standard within the rooms itself, the Victoria Jenna offered ample facilities for it’s guests. Whether you want to lounge on the rooftop or grab a drink at the lovely Yangtze Club bar, there’s something for everyone. The dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner were fantastic; the Victoria Jenna offered an array of food from Asian to Western cuisine. Of course, one of the main reason people cruise is for the excursions. We were lucky enough to go on all of the included and optional tours offered on the Victoria Jenna, and I’m thrilled that we did. They outsource local guides that are truly knowledgable about each and every site. Last but not least, I was astounded by the staff; never have I seen a staff so attentive and friendly. A very special shoutout goes to Dick, our Cruise Director, who made sure that everything we needed was taken care of; Steven, our River Guide, who not only knew the in’s and out’s of the Yangtze, but also taught Mahjong and Chinese 101, on top of playing MC for the week; and Maggie, our fantastic waitress for every meal in the Executive Lounge, who not only knew us by name, but knew all of our food and drink preferences as well. I wouldn't cruise down the river with any company other than Victoria Cruises! It was truly the highlight of my month-long journey in China. Thanks again! Sarah Founder, The Five Foot Traveler"

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Chongqing to Yichang to Chongqing - Winter Special
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4.5/5 Excellent
4 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Chongqing, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • Explore Shibaozhai
  • Visit the Three Gorges, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge
  • Explore White Emperor City

Themes

50 plus, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"While China is a very hectic, very overwhelming country, it is also a country filled with incredible natural beauty. For the average tourist, these beautiful sites are largely inaccessible or extremely difficult to access due to a combination of language barriers and lack of public transportation. One of these gorgeous areas is located between Yichang and Chongqing: the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. With this in mind, many cruise companies have begun offering multi-day trips down the Yangtze River, making the relatively inaccessible easily accessible. One such cruise company is Victoria Cruises. They have a range of vessels and itineraries to suit one’s needs. We decided to hop aboard their most prestigious boat, the Victoria Jenna, for a five night/four day cruise luxurious cruise through the gorges. Newly renovated this year, the ship exudes class and comfort. The rooms aboard the Victoria Jenna were clean and quite spacious considering we were on a ship. To compliment the five-star standard within the rooms itself, the Victoria Jenna offered ample facilities for it’s guests. Whether you want to lounge on the rooftop or grab a drink at the lovely Yangtze Club bar, there’s something for everyone. The dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner were fantastic; the Victoria Jenna offered an array of food from Asian to Western cuisine. Of course, one of the main reason people cruise is for the excursions. We were lucky enough to go on all of the included and optional tours offered on the Victoria Jenna, and I’m thrilled that we did. They outsource local guides that are truly knowledgable about each and every site. Last but not least, I was astounded by the staff; never have I seen a staff so attentive and friendly. A very special shoutout goes to Dick, our Cruise Director, who made sure that everything we needed was taken care of; Steven, our River Guide, who not only knew the in’s and out’s of the Yangtze, but also taught Mahjong and Chinese 101, on top of playing MC for the week; and Maggie, our fantastic waitress for every meal in the Executive Lounge, who not only knew us by name, but knew all of our food and drink preferences as well. I wouldn't cruise down the river with any company other than Victoria Cruises! It was truly the highlight of my month-long journey in China. Thanks again! Sarah Founder, The Five Foot Traveler"

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Shanghai 3-in-1 All-Inclusive: Culinary Tour, Tailor Made Clothes, & Sightseeing
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5/5 Excellent
5 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Shanghai, Yangtze River

Highlights

  • First and only 3-in-1 tour of its kind
  • Small groups to provide you more attention
  • $300 worth of free tailor made clothes
  • Enjoy 12 different types of Chinese cuisine

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"When I was presented with the opportunity to travel to Shanghai for the first time, I was incredibly excited to embark on such a captivating journey. The history, architecture & culture of China has always been fascinating to me. I had also never left the continent at the time too, so I knew there would be many new & unfamiliar experiences as well. David did a fantastic job at providing a very informative, meaningful & fun trip. With his guidance & planning, we got the unique opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the wonderful foods, sights, fashion & culture that Shanghai has to offer. I also appreciated how he went out of his way to give our group a comfortably-paced & hassle-free trip. David led an incredibly memorable & inspiring trip that went beyond my expectations & I would highly recommend it!"

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China Experience
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Yangshuo, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • This is one of our most comprehensive trips in China, covering huge distances and taking in key destinations from north to south with plenty of variety in experiences and sights along the way
  • Zip through the country from north to south on its efficient high-speed rail network.
  • Take through the iconic scenery of the Yangzi River as you meander through the dramatic Three Gorges on a three-day cruise
  • No matter how many guide books you have read, nothing truly prepares you for the grandeur and immensity of historic sights like the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Leshan Big Buddha and the Terracotta Army. However, the country's modern man-made sights refuse to beoutdone, and you can see the modern equivalence of those ancient feats in the skyline of Hong Kong and the Yangzi River's Three Gorges Hydroelectric dam
  • Get up close to giant pandas in Chengdu and learn about the preservation work required for this ancient species.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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Best China with Great Wall & Yangtze Cruise
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By Odynovo
premier
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They are able to handcraft custom trip plans in over 70 different destinations worldwide.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chongqing, Guilin, Shanghai, Xian, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • Marvel at the winding and splendid Great Wall in Beijing.
  • Witness the mysterious Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an.
  • Enjoy a scenic Li River cruise in Guilin, with the karst pinnacles and serene countryside.
  • Embark on a 4-day Yangtze cruise and admire the Three Gorges Dam.
  • Explore the Bund, Yu Gardens, and the French Concession in Shanghai.

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Train & Rail Journeys

What travelers are saying

"I didn’t take this tour exactly, but made some changes based on my schedule and interests and travel dates. It was my first time in Southeast Asia and I was a traveling solo female. Liz my trip consultant and contact person was so helpful and responsive to any and all my concerns and questions. It was a trip of a lifetime. I can not gush enough about the itinerary and experiences. I am completely impressed with is company and this person. Ya ya in Chang Mai and Sam in Bangkok are top notch guides. The diving in Phuket was arranged with Siam diving, a small private boat not an over stuffed crowded one. It felt like we were the only people in the ocean. Goo, GO, GO!!!!"

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11 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Only ground transport

Yangtze River Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
66  Reviews
See all Yangtze River tour reviews
Excellent
44
Great
17
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
A

Andrew

Oct 2015

Written on

Overall, the trip was excellent. This was

Overall, the trip was excellent. This was my first time with Intrepid but I have taken several similar trips (Tucan). The tour leader (Kris) was excellent and the ac...

A

Anne

Sep 2015

Written on

Emma was an excellent group leader- very

Emma was an excellent group leader- very friendly, helpful and polite. We really liked her suggested restaurant and activity recommendations and felt that they were ...

S

Steve

Sep 2015

Written on

Excellent Guide. Good Itinerary.

Excellent Guide. Good Itinerary.

B

Benita

Sep 2015

Written on

A well put together itinerary from Intrepid

A well put together itinerary from Intrepid and my tour guide Emma Guo was fantastic. She made herself available to the group 24 hours with added information on loca...

C

Cornelia

Sep 2015

Written on

I had a amazing time during this

I had a amazing time during this trip. China Experience is a very good to see a lot of spots in China. That only negative point was that we couldn't see the Forbidde...

Write a Review

Yangtze River Tour Selection Trips

  • More than 60 vessels currently ply the Yangtze, so you'll have a choice of a number of different lines, of varying degrees of comfort and price. 
  • Westerners may want to choose one of the cruise lines that cater to Western preferences in food (including Chinese food done to Western tastes) and use English as their primary language, such as Uniworld, Viking, Avalon, or Victoria Cruises. 
  • Allow plenty of time to get your China visa before your trip. 
  • Despite improvements in visitors being able to arrange their own transportation, a tour of China is still the safest way to go if you don't speak the language, and taking tours largely free you from bureaucratic hassles.
  • Yangtze cruises are often included in longer tours of China, which may also visit Shanghai, Beijing, the Great Wall, Guilin, and Xian. 
  • Mid-summer gets very hot and humid on the Yangtze, so it's best to avoid July. Late August to October and May into June are generally the most pleasant months for a cruise.  

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