Century Legend

The 2013-built Century Legend ship cruises on the Yangtze River, departing from Beijing and Shanghai. The vessel is operated by the Chinese river shipping company and travel brand Century Cruises. Some Century Legend cruises are also available for chartering/can be booked through European companies such as Avalon Waterways, Viking, and Uniworld.

Century Legend's principal homeport is Chongqing. The vessel's Mandarin name is "Shìjì Chuanqí" (世纪传奇).

The registered shipowner is Chongqing New Century Cruise Co Ltd (重庆新世纪游轮股份有限公司).

This new-generation, top-luxury cruise ship was designed by the Norwegian marine design firm Yran & Storbraten and built under the guidance of the German companies Schiffstechnik Buchloh (a naval architecture and ship-engineering consultancy) and EMS (e-powered marine solutions GmbH & Co. KG).

This large riverboat features 5-star hotel amenities and an innovative, eco-friendly design that ensures a vibration-free cruising experience.

Century Cruises operates a fleet of new and large luxury ships. Like the fleetmates, Century Legend offers numerous technical innovations, modern facilities, and premium comfort.

The riverboat features some of the most spacious public areas, including a stunning 7-story-high Grand Atrium. Other highlights include the Panoramic and A La Carte restaurants, a large Multifunctional Lounge, and many staterooms with private balconies. An extraordinary amenity is the 2150-f2/200-m2. indoor swimming pool, along with a wellness complex that consists of a spa (served by its own bar), a modern gym/fitness center, and a relaxation area.

The vessel has a friendly, English-speaking crew and provides 24-hour Internet access in the onboard Internet Cafe.

Family-friendly features include the Children Paradise area. Passengers can also take tai chi lessons and attend lectures on China's Three Gorges.

• Sun Deck (7) - Observation lounge with bar and deck chairs, Game Room, Kids' Playroom (Children's Garden), Fitness Center, Library, VIP Restaurant (with 2 kitchens), Executive Suites (x11, category ES).
• Observation Deck (6) - Large Multifunction Lounge (reserved seating for evening entertainment, bar, observation area), Reception Area, Executive Suites (x23).
• Bridge Deck (5) - Navigation Bridge, 2 Souvenir Shops, Junior Suites (x2), Deluxe Staterooms (x62, category DS).
• Promenade Deck (4) - 2 Boutique Shops, Presidential Suites (x2, category PS), Junior Suites (x2), Deluxe Cabins (x62).
• Upper Deck (3) - Main Dining Room, Guest Services, Deluxe Staterooms (x32).
• Main Deck (2) - 2 Card Rooms, Laundry, Medical Center, Deluxe Cabins (x8).
• Lower Deck (1) - 7-deck-high Atrium, 2 Elevators, Cinema, Spa & Massage, large Indoor Swimming Pool.
• Amenities - English-speaking staff and crew, Wi-Fi Internet, 7-story Atrium, 24-hour laundry service, 24-hour room service, Cruise Tour Director.
• Technical and design innovations on the Century Legend and Paragon ships include a new propulsion system, a large indoor pool (the first on a riverboat), an expansive atrium, and a pillar-free entertainment lounge. The propulsion system was designed to reduce vibration and emissions. The indoor pool is located on the lowest deck, allowing for its impressive size. The multipurpose lounge, typically used as a theater for evening shows, is located on Deck 6 and uniquely designed without supporting pillars.

When booked through Avalon Waterways (Globus-Avalon Waterways partnership), the Century Legend Yangtze cruise includes roundtrip USA-China flights with discounted airfare and complimentary airport transfers.

Century Legend itineraries

Magical China and Yangtze cruisetour packages

The 11-DAY "MAGICAL CHINA AND YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE" (BEIJING TO SHANGHAI) itinerary features a 3-night Yangtze River cruise. It begins with a UK flight to Beijing, China, including a 3-night hotel stay. Days 2 and 3 include guided tours in Beijing, covering the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall, Ming Tombs, a Peking Opera performance, and a welcome dinner.

On Day 4, you'll fly from Beijing to Xi’an for guided tours, including a hutong tour via rickshaw and a special dinner show. Day 5 in Xi’an features visits to the Terracotta Warriors site, a lacquer workshop, and Dayan Pagoda. On Day 6, you'll fly from Xi’an to Chongqing to embark the ship, with a visit to the local panda zoo.

Sailing segment: In Shibaozhai, a walking tour is included along with a welcome party featuring crew performances. Day 8 explores the famed Yangtze Gorges—Qutang, Wu, and Shennong Stream—via small boat excursions. The day concludes with the Captain’s Farewell Dinner. Day 9 includes visits to the Three Gorges Dam, Xiling Gorge, and Yichang for disembarkation, followed by a charter flight to Shanghai.

On Day 10, during the 1-night hotel stay in Shanghai, guests explore The Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, a silk factory, the City Museum, and enjoy a Chinese acrobatic show.

Yangtze Itinerary 1

Itinerary I - 15-DAY "CULTURAL CHINA AND TIBET YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE" from SHANGHAI TO BEIJING.

• Includes a 4-night Yangtze cruise starting with a flight to Shanghai and 2 hotel nights there. Day 2 includes sightseeing in Shanghai (Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, acrobatic show, and welcome dinner). Day 3 includes the Shanghai Museum and transfer to Yichang for embarkation.
• The 4-night Yangtze River cruise runs from Yichang to Chongqing. Highlights: Day 4 - Three Gorges Dam; Day 5 - Wu, Shennong, Qutang Gorges with a small boat excursion; Day 6 - Shibaozhai walking tour and Captain’s farewell dinner.
• Day 7 - Disembarkation in Chongqing and a visit to the local zoo to see pandas. Then fly to Tibet (Lhasa). Days 8-9 in Lhasa include tours of the Summer Palace, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, a Tibetan home/monastery/hospital, and the local bazaar.
• Day 10 - Flight from Lhasa to Xian with a dinner show. Day 11 - Xian tours (Dayan Pagoda, Terracotta Warriors, workshops, cooking demo, calligraphy class). Day 12 - Flight to Beijing with a hutong tour by rickshaw. Days 13-14 - Beijing tours (Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Peking Opera, farewell dinner).

Yangtze Itinerary 2

Itinerary II - reverse 15-DAY "ENCHANTING CHINA AND YANGTZE RIVER" cruise from BEIJING TO SHANGHAI.

Includes a 3-night Yangtze cruise, beginning with a flight to Beijing and 3 hotel nights. Days 2-4 - Beijing touring (same activities as in Itinerary I, including Donghuamen market and a hutong rickshaw tour).

Land portion: Day 5 - Flight to Xian with calligraphy class and dinner show. Day 6 - Xian tours (Terracotta Warriors, Dayan Pagoda, cooking demo). Day 7 - Flight to Chengdu for a visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. Day 8 - Flight to Lijiang (Old Town walking tour). Day 9 - Show, Museum, and Black Dragon Pool. Day 10 - Charter flight to Chongqing and embarkation on Century Legend.

Sailing portion: Day 11 - Shibaozhai tour and welcome party. Day 12 - Gorges (Qutang, Wu, Shennong Stream, sampan ride) and Captain’s farewell dinner. Day 13 - Three Gorges Dam tour, disembarkation in Yichang, and flight to Shanghai. Day 14 - Shanghai tours (Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, silk factory, museum, acrobatic show).

Century Legend YANGTZE CRUISE deals inclusions

Daily American breakfast (14 total). On Itinerary I: 11 lunches and 12 dinners (including welcome dinner in Shanghai and farewell dinner in Beijing). On Itinerary II: 10 lunches and 9 dinners (including welcome dinner in Beijing and farewell dinner in Shanghai). Includes complimentary coffee/tea, à la carte dinner menu, and regional wines, beer, or soft drinks with dinner. Breakfast and lunch buffets offer Western and Chinese cuisine.

Hotel stays include: Shanghai (Fairmont Peace Hotel), Lhasa (Four Points by Sheraton), Xian (Hilton Hotel), Beijing (Fairmont Hotel), Chengdu (Shangri-La Hotel), and Lijiang (Crowne Plaza Hotel). See the Avalon link for the full list of hotel partners.

Guided tours and excursions with local guides and headsets, Deluxe Balcony Cabin accommodations, and onboard entertainment featuring local performers and artisans.

Yangtze cruise packages also include all ship transfers, gratuities, port charges, and airport taxes. Avalon cruise prices also cover door-to-door home pick-up (within 75 miles/120 km of the guest's selected airport) and UK flight departures from London Heathrow (regional flights available with a supplement).

Decks and Cabins

Century Legend has 196 staterooms (in 4 grades), including 40 Suites and 156 Balcony cabins.

Standard amenities include two twin beds convertible to a Queen-size double bed, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to a private balcony, bathroom (shower/tub, bathrobes, slippers), living area (sofa, coffee table, vanity desk), Wi-Fi, mini-fridge, deluxe pillow menu, hairdryer, flat-screen satellite TV, safe, complimentary bottled water, individual climate control. Maximum occupancy: 2 guests per cabin.

Cabin categories include:

• 2x Presidential Suites (1140 ft2 / 106 m2, balcony 30 m2)
• 34x Executive Suites (415 ft2 / 39 m2, balcony 4 m2)
• 4x Junior Suites (325 ft2 / 30 m2, balcony 4 m2)
• 156x Deluxe Staterooms (300 ft2 / 28 m2, balcony 3 m2)

The boat has 7 decks, of which 6 have cabins.