18 Days Hunan In-Depth Exploration with Yangtze River Cruise

Touch down in Chongqing and kick off your 18-day adventure! After a warm airport pickup, transfer to your 5 star hotel to refresh. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, whether relaxing in your luxury accommodations or venturing out to soak in Chongqing’s unique vibe. Wander through lively streets, sample local snacks, or admire the city’s iconic skyline blending modern towers with ancient-inspired architecture. As night falls, prepare for the exciting days ahead—from Dazu’s ancient carvings to the Yangtze River Cruise—promising a perfect mix of culture, nature, and urban exploration.

After breakfast, journey 2 hours to Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO site showcasing masterful Tang-to-Song Dynasty cliff sculptures. Marvel at intricate Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian art across Baodingshan and Beishan Cliff Statues, where 1,000+ years of craftsmanship come to life. Later, return to Chongqing and board your deluxe Yangtze River cruise. Enjoy a sumptuous embarkation dinner with free-flow drinks, then relax on deck as the ship sets sail, ready to unveil the Three Gorges’ natural wonders. A day of ancient art and serene river views!

Awaken to morning tea/coffee aboard your cruise before diving into a day of iconic sights. Explore the Snow Jade Cave, where 80% of stalactites glow “as white as snow,” showcasing nature’s geological artistry. After a buffet lunch, visit Fengdu Ghost City, a mystical Taoist site renowned for its “Underworld” temples and legends of life after death. Traverse the Naihe Bridge and 18 Layer Hell exhibits, steeped in ancient folklore. End the day with a captain’s reception and enjoy free time to unwind as the cruise glides through the evening mist. A day of surreal caves and spiritual intrigue!

Start with a scenic cruise through the Qutang Gorge, the first of the Three Gorges, marveling at its sheer cliffs and emerald waters from the Explorer Deck. After lunch, delve into the Small Three Gorges, nicknamed the “Grand Canyon on the Water,” where steep peaks and lush forests create a postcard-perfect landscape (optional Shennv Stream visit). As afternoon turns to evening, sail through the misty Wu Gorge, inspired by legends of Yao Ji and her 12 attendants transformed into celestial peaks. End the day with a buffet dinner and an onboard show, surrounded by the gorges’ timeless beauty. 

Begin with a visit to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric marvel, spanning 2,335 meters and offering panoramic views of its colossal structure. Learn about its controversial legacy, from clean energy production to historical relocations. After lunch, embark on a 4-5 hour drive to Zhangjiajie, a city renowned for its otherworldly sandstone peaks. En route, admire Hunan’s rolling landscapes and prepare to immerse yourself in the natural wonders that await—think Avatar-inspired vistas and dramatic gorges. A day of engineering feats and scenic transitions! 

After arriving in Zhangjiajie, dive into adventure at the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Test your courage on the World’s Longest Glass Bridge (430m long, 300m high), offering heart-stopping views of the gorge below. Later, explore the Huanglong Cave, a UNESCO-listed karst wonder with towering stalactites, underground rivers, and 500 million years of geological history. Wander through its three-dimensional chambers and marvel at formations like the “Snow Mountain” and “ Heavenly Pillar.” A day of adrenaline and subterranean beauty! 

Take a cable car to Tianzi Mountain, where iconic formations like “Warrior Taming Horse Rock” and the “Western Sea” of sandstone peaks await, sculpted by millions of years of erosion. Transfer to Yuanjiajie, the legendary filming site of Avatar, and stand eye-to-eye with the floating Hallelujah Mountains at the “First Bridge Under Heaven.” Descend via the Bailong Elevator, a record-breaking glass elevator offering dizzying views of the quartz sandstone cliffs. A day immersed in otherworldly landscapes that blur the line between fantasy and reality! 

Venture into Zhangjiajie National Park, starting with Yellow Stone Village. Ascend to its 1,200m summit for panoramic views of knife-like cliffs and sandstone peaks, ideal for capturing sunrise over the “natural skyscrapers.” Later, enjoy a leisurely hike along the Golden Whip Stream, where clear waters wind through lush valleys, home to diverse wildlife and towering peaks. As dusk falls, immerse in local culture at the Charming Xiangxi Performance, a vibrant show celebrating ethnic traditions through dance and music. A day of natural grandeur and cultural immersion! 

Begin with a ride on the world’s longest cable car (7,455m) up Tianmen Mountain, offering breathtaking views of the “99-Bend Sky Road.” Walk the cliff-hugging Glass Skywalk, then take an elevator to Tianmen Cave, a colossal natural arch piercing the mountain at 1,548m. In the afternoon, glide across Baofeng Lake, known as the “Jade Mirror of the World,” surrounded by emerald peaks and cascading waterfalls. End the day at the 72 Superb Building, a Guinness-record stilt structure, where vibrant night markets and cultural displays await. A day of vertigo-inducing thrills and tranquil beauty! 

Check out and drive to the Redstone Forest, a unique Cambrian-era geological marvel featuring vivid red carbonate rock formations shaped over 500 million years. Wander through landscapes once submerged in the Yangtze ancient sea, now showcasing eroded cliffs and terraced pools. Later, arrive at Furong Town, a 2,000-year-old stilt-house village dubbed the “Millennium Town Hanging on a Waterfall.” Explore its green stone streets, Tujia ethnic architecture, and watch the cascading waterfall that defines its scenic skyline. A day of prehistoric beauty and timeless village life!