Plan at a glance
How the product works
The Two Dams and One Gorge Cruise is a water-and-land product from central Yichang. The common “boat out, vehicle back” version boards at the Three Gorges Visitor Center, travels along Xiling Gorge, lands at Sandouping, transfers to the Three Gorges Dam, and returns to the city by road. The water journey, land visit, and city return occupy about 7–8 hours, excluding travel to the departure point.
A single-cruise ticket is about CNY 158 and normally excludes lunch and the bus after landing. A day package is about CNY 258, but inclusions vary. At purchase, check whether you are buying a single cruise, boat-out/vehicle-back, vehicle-out/boat-back, or a lunch-included package; these names are not interchangeable.
Who it suits
This product suits visitors who want river scenery through Xiling Gorge, a possible lock-passing experience on the relevant departure, and a land visit to the Three Gorges Dam in one itinerary. Older visitors and children can reduce continuous walking through the boat and attraction shuttle, but check-in, boarding, disembarkation, and the dam transfer still take time.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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The water segment
The water highlights are the gorge scenery and, on some departures, the change in water level when passing a Gezhouba lock. The cruise lasts about 3 hours and suits visitors who like river views, water-control engineering, or observing the gorge with less continuous walking. Confirm whether lock passage is included in the order; weather and sailing direction also affect visibility and photography.
The land segment
After landing at Sandouping, common products transfer visitors to the Three Gorges Dam Visitor Transfer Center and then arrange land viewpoints such as Tanziling and the 185 Platform. This dam visit is the included follow-up segment of the product. Gezhouba and Xiling Gorge appear as parts of the route; separate land attractions are not added here.
Ticket differences
Visitors who only want the river experience can consider a single-cruise ticket and arrange lunch and the return from Sandouping themselves. Visitors who want fewer transfer decisions can choose a day product with transfers. Check the order for seat upgrades, lunch, headsets, VR, and electric carts; the word “package” alone does not establish what is included.
Build your day
Complete boat-out, vehicle-back route
Arrive at the Three Gorges Visitor Center around 07:00–08:30 for check-in and boarding. The boat travels for about 3 hours through Xiling Gorge; if the order includes lock passage, follow the onboard arrangement. Land at Sandouping Pier around 11:30, transfer to the Three Gorges Dam Visitor Transfer Center, and visit land stops such as Tanziling and the 185 Platform. Return by vehicle to the Three Gorges Visitor Center after about 16:30.
Single-cruise short arrangement
With a single-cruise ticket, focus on boarding at the Three Gorges Visitor Center, the river journey, any included lock passage, and landing at Sandouping. Have lunch in Sandouping Town, then use the transport included in the order or arrange your own onward trip. There is no unified short-route return service; landing at Sandouping does not mean you are already back in central Yichang.
Get there
To the Three Gorges Visitor Center
Buses 2, 6, 9, 19, 21, 25, 50, and 103 serve the “Three Gorges Visitor Center” stop. The current address used for navigation is 142 Yanjiang Avenue, opposite Wanda Plaza. Drivers can use the visitor-center parking lot; capacity and charges follow the day's arrangement.
After landing at Sandouping
Sandouping Pier is a common end point for the water journey. After landing, follow the product's transfer arrangement to the Three Gorges Dam Visitor Transfer Center; the road transfer takes about 30–60 minutes. Single-cruise passengers should confirm whether this segment is included and distinguish Sandouping, Taipingxi, and Maoping so they do not go to the wrong meeting point.
Know before you go
Booking and check-in
Some products may open ticket sales about 15 days ahead, but no product requires every visitor to buy 15 days in advance. Confirm check-in time, boarding pier, boat-out/vehicle-back direction, and real-name document requirements against the order. Overseas visitors should confirm in advance whether the passport can be used for that order's real-name process.
Queues, seating, and weather
Holiday queues may form at boarding, lock passage, and the dam transfer. Arriving 30–60 minutes early is part of the itinerary requirement, not a promise of priority boarding. Seats, paid viewing areas, and deck access vary by vessel and crew instructions. Rain and fog can reduce gorge visibility; photography must stay within open areas and follow on-site guidance.
Spending and return
Onboard group meals, seat upgrades, and extra activities are optional choices. Sandouping Town can be used for lunch after landing. Confirm the transfer vehicle and final destination in the order; a single cruise, a package, and independent return transport are separate arrangements.