Starting with a cruise named “Kunlun” in the 1980s, Three Gorges cruises on the Yangtze River have undergone several rounds of upgrading. Early cruise ships had low tonnage and limited passenger capacity, and mainly served foreign tourists. Since 2000, 10,000-ton-class luxury cruise ships have been launched one after another, leading to a sharp increase in domestic tourists. In 2026, Yichang’s “Vista Harmony” and Chongqing’s “Chonglun Changjiang Yunfan” made their maiden voyages in succession. With tonnage ranging from 17,000 to 18,000 metric tons and smart systems on board, they have set new benchmarks for inland river cruise ships. Today, cruises are no longer merely a means of transportation. They have become floating vacation destinations integrating accommodation, dining and leisure, allowing tourists to gain an in-depth experience of the Three Gorges scenery and Yangtze River culture, while promoting the high-quality development of cultural tourism along the Yangtze River. (Sanxia Daily: Reporter/Liu Huiyan)