Eight months after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in China, Century Cruises said it is preparing to resume sailings on the Yangtze.
Century's deputy general manager Richard Xie said in an email this week that the line expects to resume its classic three- and four-night programs in the Three Gorges region between Chongqing and Yichang on Aug. 15, but river lines aren't yet allowed to sail any farther down the Yangtze.
While restrictions prevent longer cruises to Shanghai, Xie said, government approval for the limited sailings is good news for river companies that have been longing to reopen for months.
Additionally, he said, the company plans to try a new itinerary within the Chongqing municipality, which is at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, beginning Aug. 12.
Besides being restricted to the Three Gorges, Xie said river lines will be limited to 50% capacity, and sailings are only open to domestic travelers.