The Best River Cruises in East Asia

A River Adventure Awaits: Explore Rich Cultures and Charming Towns

East Asia

Are you ready to embark on a river adventure through East Asia like no other? Picture yourself cruising through breathtaking landscapes, indulging in delectable cuisine, and immersing yourself in fascinating cultures. We've meticulously analyzed a wide range of river cruises in East Asia based on key criteria such as price, guest ratings, luxuries, and excursions to find the best possible options for your next trip. Get ready to set sail and create memories that will last a lifetime!


The Top 3 Cruises:

  • 5 Days, $599.00

  • 13 Days, $2779.00

  • 11 Days, $2326.00
East Asia
The Best River Cruises through East Asia

All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.

Organized by Silk Road Trips 5 Days Yichang to Chongqing 3 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for river cruises in East Asia.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 18 to 80
Maximum Group Size: 20
Price per Day: $120

This cruise visits Yichang, Three Gorges, and Chongqing.

  • River Cruise
  • Partially Guided

By Silk Road Trips
Silk Road Trips is a smaller international tour company with trips to 7 countries, including China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.



$599
on TourRadar

Organized by Bravo Indochina Tours 13 Days Beijing to Shanghai 9 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for river cruises in East Asia.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

starstarstarstarstar 4.9 rating

Age Range: 1 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 15
Price per Day: $214

This cruise visits Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Yangtze, Chongqing, Shanghai, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Three Gorges, and Yichang.

  • Family
  • River Cruise
  • Fully Guided

By Bravo Indochina Tours
Bravo Indochina Tours is a smaller tour company that offers trips to 8 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.



$2,779
on TourRadar

Organized by Realistic Asia 11 Days Beijing to Shanghai 9 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Great for Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.9 rating

Age Range: 1 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 15
Price per Day: $262

This cruise visits Beijing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Qutang Gorge, Yangtze, Shanghai, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Maopingzhen, Three Gorges, and Yichang.

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • River Cruise
  • Partially Guided

By Realistic Asia
Realistic Asia is a smaller tour company that offers trips to 6 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. The small group sizes, often less than 15, make for a very personal experience. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as snorkelling, diving, parasailing, and jetskiing.



$2,326
on TourRadar

Organized by On The Go Tours 15 Days Beijing to Shanghai 8 Destinations
  • On Sale: 20% Off
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.
  • Great for Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.4 rating

Age Range: 15 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 24
Price per Day: $238

This cruise visits Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'an, Chengdu, Leshan, Chongqing, Three Gorges, and Shanghai.

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • River Cruise
  • Fully Guided

By On The Go Tours
On The Go Tours is a large multi-national travel company which offers trips to destinations around the world. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.



$4,455 $3,564
on TourRadar

Organized by Odynovo 13 Days Beijing to Shanghai 9 Destinations
  • On Sale: 10% Off
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.

starstarstarstarstar 4.8 rating

Age Range: 12 to 75
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $292

This cruise visits Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Chongqing, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Three Gorges, Yangtze, Yichang, and Shanghai.

  • Family
  • River Cruise
  • Partially Guided

By Odynovo
Odynovo is a large international travel company offering trips all over the world. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.



$4,224 $3,802
on TourRadar

Organized by TUI China 13 Days Beijing to Shanghai 11 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.

Great for:
  • Culture Lovers
  • History Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 10 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 20
Price per Day: $291

This cruise visits Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yichang, Yangtze, Shibaozhai Pagoda, Shanghai, Qutang Gorge, and Three Gorges.

  • Coach / Bus
  • Sailing
  • Sightseeing
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Historical
  • River Cruise
  • Partially Guided

By TUI China
TUI China offers local cultural tours through China. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.



$3,785
on TourRadar

Organized by Odynovo 16 Days Beijing to Shanghai 7 Destinations
  • On Sale: 10% Off
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 1 to 85
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $326

This cruise visits Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Suzhou, and Shanghai.

  • Family
  • River Cruise
  • Fully Guided

By Odynovo
Odynovo is a large international travel company offering trips all over the world. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.



$5,799 $5,219
on TourRadar

Why does East Asia appeal to river cruise passengers?

River cruises in East Asia appeal to travelers for their relaxed pace, scenic views, and access to culturally rich, often less-touristed destinations. Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Kyoto is known for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history. Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. With easy, all-inclusive travel arrangements and immersive stops in culturally rich areas, river cruises provide a convenient and enriching way to explore multiple regions in comfort and style.

East Asia


How much do River Cruises in East Asia cost?

The average daily price of River Cruises in East Asia is $249 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of River Cruises in East Asia here.


We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.




$249
Average Price Per Day
7
Tours Analyzed
4.6
Average Rating
6
Tour Companies
16
Average Group Size

Which Tour Companies Offer River Cruises?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer river cruises in East Asia. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.

Odynovo

Odynovo is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include China, Vietnam, Thailand, and India. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as surfing, snorkelling, camel riding, and water sports.

See All Tours from Odynovo

Silk Road Trips

Silk Road Trips is a smaller international tour company with tours to 7 countries, including China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.

See All Tours from Silk Road Trips

Bravo Indochina Tours

Bravo Indochina Tours is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 8 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. There are opportunities to customize some tours to specifically meet your needs. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.

See All Tours from Bravo Indochina Tours

Realistic Asia

Realistic Asia is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 6 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. The small group sizes, often less than 15, make for a very personal experience. Certain tours offer the flexibility to be adapted to your unique needs. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as snorkelling, diving, parasailing, and jetskiing.

See All Tours from Realistic Asia


River Cruise Destinations in East Asia

Wondering where river cruise tours visit in East Asia? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and it has a long history that dates back thousands of years. It offers a mix of modern and every changing architecture combined with ancient landmarks and historic neighborhoods. Beijing is a world class city that has amazing music, cuisine, culture, and shopping.

The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a financial and economic hub in China that brings international tourists, business workers, and backpackers. At the heart of its tourist scene is the Bund, which is a waterfront promenade that has colonial and modern buildings. Shanghai is a foodie destination that has great street food as well as high end restaurants.

Its distinct, futuristic skyline and scenic waterside strolls make this city a beautiful place to explore.

More

Other popular destinations for river cruise tours through East Asia include Chongqing, Xi'an, Yichang, Guilin, and Chengdu.


Which is cheaper?

Is independent travel less expensive than booking guided river cruises? The answer varies. Organized tours package essential services like accommodations, transport, meals, entrance fees, and activities into a single price, while independent travel involves booking each aspect separately. To assess which is more economical, compare the tour price with what you'd spend arranging everything yourself. If you prioritize budget options or premium experiences, the cost comparison could swing either way. Always review the details of what's included in the tour package to decide.

Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.

More Tour Options

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to East Asia, The Best Wildlife Tours to East Asia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in East Asia, The Best Historical Tours in East Asia, The Best 10-Day Tours in East Asia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in East Asia, The Best 3-Day Tours in East Asia, The Best 2-Week Tours in East Asia, The Best 3-Week Tours in East Asia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in East Asia, The Best Extended Trip Tours in East Asia, One Month or Longer, The Best Bicycle Tours in East Asia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in East Asia, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in East Asia, The Best Overlanding Trips in East Asia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in East Asia, The Best Adventure Tours to East Asia, The Best Eco Tours in East Asia, The Best Train & Rail Tours in East Asia, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in East Asia, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in East Asia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in East Asia, The Best Cultural Tours in East Asia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in East Asia, The Best Photography Tours in East Asia, The Best Educational Tours in East Asia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in East Asia, The Best Religious Tours in East Asia, The Best Walking Tours in East Asia, The Best Honeymoon Tours in East Asia, The Best Tours Under $1000 in East Asia, The Best Luxury Tours to East Asia, The Best Budget Tours to East Asia, The Best Tours for Seniors to East Asia, The Best Contiki Tours to East Asia, or The Best G Adventures Tours to East Asia for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.