Total investment of RMB 850 million! China Three Gorges Tourism Group has commenced construction on five new-energy cruise ships and a pontoon vessel.

On August 15, the groundbreaking ceremony for Yangtze River cruise ships and associated port facilities was held at the Shipbuilding Industrial Park in Qixingtai Town, Zhijiang.

The total investment for this project, which has now broken ground, amounts to approximately RMB 850 million. It is being developed and operated by the Three Gorges Tourism Group, a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Culture & Tourism Group, and includes two interprovincial resort cruise ships, one micro‑resort cruise ship, one themed cruise ship, and a 105‑meter‑class port barge. Adhering to the principles of green development, low carbon emissions, and smart technology, all vessels are equipped with new‑energy propulsion systems, delivering a dual upgrade in environmental performance and passenger experience.

Among these, the second batch of two interprovincial cruise ships has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in functional layout, service quality, technological innovation, and green propulsion. Upon completion, they will operate on the Yichang–Chongqing classic route. The micro‑vacation cruise ships are built around the core concept of “local culture + light leisure,” offering immersive experiences centered on canyon vistas, cultural performances, high‑quality dining, and distinctive accommodations, thereby catering to the short‑distance tourism and cultural‑leisure market surrounding Yichang. The themed cruise ships feature innovative exterior and interior designs, emphasizing panoramic river views and integrating diverse offerings such as immersive shows, mobile dining, and leisure‑oriented retail, serving both Yichang’s riverside sightseeing and the core “Two Dams and One Gorge” itinerary. Meanwhile, a 105‑meter‑class pontoon vessel will establish a seamless water‑land connectivity between the new and old port areas of Zigui Port, alleviating bottlenecks in berthing for large cruise ships and further solidifying Maoping Port’s position as a key hub for Yangtze River cruises.

This groundbreaking marks another major strategic move by the Three Gorges Tourism Group to upgrade and enhance the cruise industry, following the successful operation of the first batch of inter-provincial resort cruises—“Changjiang Xing·Lanyue” and “Changjiang Xing·Jiguang”—built by Yichang Xinhui Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Ltd. Upon completion and commissioning, the project will comprehensively strengthen the water-based cultural‑tourism infrastructure in the Three Gorges region, elevate the quality of Yangtze River inland cruise tourism, and facilitate a shift in Three Gorges tourism from transit‑oriented sightseeing to destination‑focused, all‑encompassing vacations. It will help establish the region as a global hub for the inland cruise industry, deepen the “cruise as a destination” development model, and promote integrated port‑industry‑city development, thereby empowering Yichang to become a world‑renowned cultural‑tourism destination and leveraging the distinctive cruise economy to drive high‑quality growth across the Yangtze River Economic Belt.