4 days Yangtze River Cruises by Century Paragon
We fortunately got a winter promotion on Century Paragon, so I decided to experience the newest ship with my friend.
The boat trip star from Chongqing and disembark in Yichang, we have do some preparation before the cruise, the woolen sweaters and coats are necessary to pack cause the low temperature at night and early morning.
Day 1
We have noticed that the boarding time was on 7pm to 8pm, after dinner, we just head to the boarding port in Chongtianmen, there are No 1-10 shipping terminal located at the river bank that serve for the Yangtze Cruise Ships, so it is important to ask the cruise ship company where you book the ticket for the right port of your ship, otherwise it will waste time to find out. Expect the No 5 port is dedicated to Victoria Cruises, other cruise ships board or disembark according to the dispatch by the local maritime board in Chongqing.
We check in the Century Paragon in 7:30pm with our luggage, a warmly welcome is ready to wait everyone on board. We are surprise that our cabin is great in decoration and the luxury size is out of our expectation (we have took other ships before), and with the most advance equipments.
After arranged our staff, we heard the notice on broadcasting from the room radio that everyone suggest to come to the sunshine bar to attend the cruise schedule meeting on 8:30pm, so we did and get a lot of information of what we should do and quite a useful instructions. The ship was departed at 9:30 at Chongqing Chaotianmen port.
Tips:
- 1. All the cabins are equip with private balcony and separate wash room, bath tub and shower.
- 2. The 2\3\4 floors are deluxe cabin, 30 executive suite are range in 5 floor, and 2 president suite is setting in the 3 floor, with is right in front of the ship with the fantastic view.
- 3. You can use payable Wi-Fi facility on the lobby and main floor, which cost 200 Yuan per trip.
- 4. The first day dinner is not included.
Day 2
After a buffet breakfast, we take an optional tour to Fengdu Ghost city at 8:30am, which cost us 260 per person, it is nice if you are interested in Chinese spirits culture, of course it need some physical challenge also. The trip takes one hour.
After back on board, we have our free time to appreciate the amazing scenery of Yangtze and buffet lunch start at 12pm at the same restaurant.
The afternoon tour to visit Shibaozhai Pagoda is included on this cruise. The wooden architecture stands on the riverside, walk up through steep wooden ladders to the top will leave you a panoramic view of Yangtze, the whole trip will cost 3 hours.
After dinner, we are expected to the captain welcome party start at 8pm, we met Captain Chen on Chels bar and cheers with his crew, after that, a wonderful crew show are the end of this wonderful day.
Tips:
- 1. All the meals include on board are buffet, Each day, hot and cold meats, along with a selection of local specialties, typical western food, with more than 20 special Chinese and western specialties.
- 2. The optional tour would require sign up and pay a day before you go.
- 3. All the land excursions are provided local guide, it is quite organize that all the passengers are arrange in different group before the tour, and they will notice you 30 minutes before departure, Chinese and English guides are provided to carter the needs of different nations.
Day 3
Today’s tour starts from the Optional tour to White Emperor City (RMB260 per person) at 8:30am. It is quite a famous site in Chinese history, especially in Chinese poem, dedicated to a famous general of the Three Kingdoms period, one of the famous attractions is Kuimen on the hill top, as a photo stop of the scenery at the back of the 10 Yuan Note.
The afternoon tour in the cruise itinerary would head to Shennong Stream, a small sampan took us to the deep of the gorges and we are so lucky to see the local people’s lives that who live along the Yangtze.
Tonight's entertainment is crews’ fashion show and captain farewell party, he give us a brief speech and a warm appreciate for us enjoy this cruise trip.
Tips:
- 1. Tonight’s dinner is serve as table meal, each table share the dishes, food are mostly local flavor but all excellent.
- 2. All the meals serve in the second floor restaurant.
- 3. We suggest packing up your luggage tonight because we will get off the ship at noon time after visit The Three Gorges Dam the next day.
Day 4
We head to the Three Gorges Dam after breakfast, first to take a big bus to the dam site area, which is located in the mountainside, then follow the local guide to visit the Three Gorges Dam Museum, here we have get a clear instruction of the history and the whole structure of the dam. Than we take a golf cart (pay 20 RMB per person) to get up close to the main dam site, this is a restricted military administration, visitors are only allow to take a picture at viewing platform outside.
Back to the boat at around 10:30, it is time to the final pack up and check out, today’s lunch is not include, and the ship disembark in Yichang Taohua Wharf at around 12pm. Than we rent a car to Yichang Railway Station and catch our train to Wuhan.
A memorable trip is finished today, we learn a lot this time about the local migrant’s life, get a deep understanding of how the importance of Three Gorges Dam project, and experience the extreme service at Century Paragon.
Tips:
All passengers on Century Cruises sailing between Chongqing and Yichang are required to pay $23/RMB150 per person as service charge. The service charge is payable at the time of check out.
