If you decided to have a Yangyze cruise but still have come confusion about the upstream and downstream, here is a comparation between the two cruises. Choose what you like.
Upstream
Upstream means sailing from lower part of the river (such as Wuhan, Shashi, or Yichang) up to the higher part of the river (such as Chongqing and Fengjie).
1. Advantages
a. Cruising at the speed between 15 - 18 Kilometer/hour, allows enough time for sightseeing and photography.
b. Costs less, usually 10 - 30% lower than that of downstream
c. More time on-board for leisure, entertainment and Chinese culture programs and activities
2. Disadvantages
a. Comparatively lower speed
b. Night sailing sometimes
c. The time passing the Gezhouba ship lock is usually around 4:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m.
Downstream
Downstream means sailing from the upper part of the river (such as Chongqing and Fengjie) down to the lower part of the river (such as Wuhan, Shashi, or Yichang). Usually cruising downstream will take less time than upstream but with comparatively high cost.
1. Advantages
a. Fast speed, between 28 - 30 kilometer/hour
b. No night sailing
c. All scenic sites are arranged in the daytime, enough time for shore excursions
2. Disadvantages
a. Less time for each scenery scenic section
b. For example, only several 15-17 minutes for the 8-kilometer Qutang Gorge, less time for photography
c. Costs more
d. Very hot during the high season
e. Most cruise lines have adjusted their itinerary and on-board programs to allow tourists to enjoy both the river landscape and life on ships.