长江游轮
A short evening cruise or a 3-day journey through the Three Gorges — the Yangtze at its most dramatic.
The Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing is one of China's iconic travel experiences — whether a 2-hour evening cruise past illuminated riverside cliffs and ancient bridges, or the full 3-day voyage through the Three Gorges to Yichang (one of the world's most dramatic river journeys). Chongqing's Chaotianmen Pier sits at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers — the most dramatic starting point for any Yangtze journey.
Chaotianmen Pier (朝天门码头) is a 15-minute walk from Jiefangbei, or Metro Line 6 to Chaotianmen station. Short evening cruises (2 hours, ~¥100) depart daily from around 7pm. Long Three Gorges cruises (3 days to Yichang) require advance booking — purchase on Trip.com or through a travel agent. Passport required for overnight cruises.
Opening Hours
Pier: 6:00am – 11:00pm. Evening cruises: typically depart 7:30pm.
Entry Fee
¥80–150 (evening cruise). ¥600–2000+ per person (Three Gorges cruise, cabin class dependent).
Address
朝天门码头, Yuzhong District, Chongqing (Chaotianmen Pier)
重庆市渝中区朝天门码头
Short evening cruises can be booked same-day at the pier. Three Gorges overnight cruises must be booked weeks ahead on Trip.com — cabin class sells out in peak season.
You must bring your passport to enter this attraction. Without it, you will be denied entry.
Show these to locals — large Chinese text designed to be read at arm's length.
Show this to locals:
师傅您好，请送我去朝天门码头，重庆市渝中区朝天门。谢谢！
Hello, please take me to Chaotianmen Pier, Yuzhong District, Chongqing. Thank you!
For your eyes only:
Chaotianmen (朝天门) is the famous pier at the tip of the Yuzhong Peninsula where the two rivers meet.
Show this to locals:
您好，我想买今晚的长江游船票，请问有什么选择？
Hello, I would like to buy a ticket for tonight's Yangtze River cruise. What options are available?
For your eyes only:
Cruise ticket booths are at the Chaotianmen Pier entrance. Evening cruises typically last 2 hours and include views of the illuminated city.
Follow these guides to navigate each part of your visit.
Walk to Chaotianmen Pier (15 min from Jiefangbei) or take Metro Line 6 to Chaotianmen station
Buy an evening cruise ticket at the pier booth (¥80–150 depending on deck class)
Board approximately 30 minutes before departure — find a seat on an upper outdoor deck
The cruise passes under the illuminated Chaotianmen Bridge and along the illuminated cliff faces
Look back at the Yuzhong Peninsula city lights receding — the vertical cityscape from the water is extraordinary
The cruise returns to Chaotianmen after approximately 2 hours
Walk back to Jiefangbei or Hongya Cave for the rest of the evening
An evening cruise is the easiest, most dramatic way to appreciate Chongqing's scale from the water — highly recommended.
For the Three Gorges cruise, book cabin-class (not seat class) for the 3-day journey — the scenery demands an unhurried pace.
Bring a light jacket even in summer — river breezes make the outer decks cold after dark.
Passport is required for all overnight cruises — carry it to the pier even for the evening cruise booking.
Hongya Cave
洪崖洞
Eleven floors of traditional stilted buildings cascading down a river cliff — Chongqing's iconic night view.
Explore →Yangtze River Cableway
长江索道
A retro aerial gondola crossing the Yangtze — genuine public transport with extraordinary views.
Explore →Jiefangbei CBD Night Walk
解放碑商业区
Chongqing's neon-drenched downtown square — the city's commercial heart after dark.
Explore →Save all your travel cards, action guides, and reservations in one place — accessible offline anywhere in China.