Yangzi Explorer (2025)

The Yangzi Explorer is a river cruise ship built in 2025 for the Yangtze. Designed specifically to pass through the ship lift at the Three Gorges Dam, she began commercial service on May 29, 2025. Her 74 suites and standard capacity of 148 guests define her spacious onboard concept.

Newbuild for the Yangtze

Hubei Orient Royal Tourist Ship Co., Ltd. commissioned the ship, and the Changjiang Ship Design Institute designed her. On May 26, 2025, she passed through the lift on the route from Yichang to Chongqing. The purpose-built Yangzi Explorer is engineered to meet the lift’s technical requirements. The passage between the two cities is among the river cruises in Asia, whose specific routes vary depending on the river section and itinerary.

Suites and life on board

All 74 accommodations are suites with private balconies. The smallest category measures 31 square meters, with larger Ambassador and Prominent Suites also available. Four restaurants, bars, and lounges are complemented by a theater, spa, fitness area, and observation deck. A crew-to-guest ratio of one to one makes for attentive service on river journeys through the Three Gorges region.

A name in a new generation of ships

The 2025 Yangzi Explorer carries on the name of an earlier Yangtze cruise ship. She is a newbuild in her own right, featuring an all-suite concept; the earlier Yangzi Explorer belongs to a different generation of ships. When planning a trip, it is important to consider not only the ship and its amenities, but also the section of river, the starting point and destination, and shore stops. The overview of river cruises compares these factors.