River Cruises in Asia: Choose the Right River First
Mekong, Yangtze or Ganges? Compare the rivers, the ships and the seasons, then let our advisors quote the sailing that fits.
Get Asia River Cruise QuotesRiver Cruises in Asia, River by River
River cruises in Asia are not one product. A week on the Mekong, four nights through China’s Three Gorges and a voyage up the Ganges to Varanasi share a riverboat and a cabin, but almost nothing else: the landscapes, the pace, the ships and even the best months to go are different. This site is built to help you choose between them before you choose a ship.
We start with the question most people skip — which river suits you? — then show how each one is cruised today, which lines sell it to North American travelers, and when to go. When you are ready, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare real sailings and send quotes, free.
The Asian Rivers You Can Cruise
Mekong (Vietnam & Cambodia)
Village life, floating markets, Phnom Penh and an easy extension to the temples of Angkor. The most-sold Asian river cruise.
Plan a Mekong cruise →
Yangtze (China)
Sheer gorges, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam and a big-ship style quite unlike Europe’s riverboats.
Yangtze river cruise →
Ganges (India)
Bengal’s colonial river towns, terracotta temples and, on the longer voyages, Varanasi itself.
Ganges river cruise →Two more rivers come up often. The Brahmaputra in Assam is a niche, wildlife-led voyage near Kaziranga (see our sister site Brahmaputra River Cruise). The Irrawaddy through Bagan and Mandalay was once a favorite, but Myanmar is under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, explained on our seasons and planning page.
Three Questions That Pick Your River
What do you want to see from the deck?
Village life and markets point to the Mekong. Dramatic cliffs point to the Yangtze. Ritual, temples and a river that is sacred to a billion people point to the Ganges.
How much time do you have?
The Yangtze cruise itself is the shortest, so it slots into a China tour of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. Mekong and Ganges programs need two weeks or more to do justice.
What kind of ship suits you?
Mekong and Ganges vessels are small, often under 70 guests, with colonial-style teak interiors. Yangtze ships are much larger, with several hundred passengers, elevators and big dining rooms.
Our best river cruises in Asia page turns these questions into a side-by-side comparison, including who each river is not right for.
How Asia River Cruises Differ From Europe
Travelers who loved the Rhine or the Danube are often surprised. In Europe you step off in a town center; on Asian rivers you may land on a sandbank and walk up a path, ride a tender, or board a coach to reach the sights. Excursions are usually included and guided, because independent wandering is harder.
The cruise is also only part of the trip. Almost every program pairs the river with land: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay with the Mekong, Beijing and Xi’an with the Yangtze, Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with the Ganges. Comparing two offers therefore means comparing nights on land, hotel class and internal flights, not just the ship.
Where to Go Next
- Compare rivers side by side: best river cruises in Asia
- The scenic heavyweight: Yangtze river cruise guide
- India by water: Ganges river cruise guide
- Who sails where: river cruise lines in Asia
- When to go, visas and current advisories: seasons and planning
Looking for ship reviews and route maps rather than a decision guide? Our long-running sister site Asia River Cruises covers routes, ships and onboard life, and every river cruise line is listed in the Official River Cruise Directory. For deals as they are released, join the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best river for a first river cruise in Asia?
For most first-timers it is the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia: the widest choice of ships and lines that sell to American travelers, a well-worn route, and Angkor Wat as the natural add-on. Travelers who want scenery above all often prefer the Yangtze; those drawn to living religious tradition choose the Ganges.
How long are river cruises in Asia?
The cruise portion is usually short — about four or five nights on the Yangtze between Chongqing and Yichang, and roughly a week on the Mekong or the lower Ganges. Most Americans book them inside a longer land-and-river program of 12 to 16 days or more that adds the major cities and sights.
Can I still cruise the Irrawaddy in Myanmar?
Our cruise advisors do not recommend it at this time. The U.S. State Department rates Burma (Myanmar) Level 4, “Do Not Travel,” and we do not sell itineraries there while that advice stands.
Who arranges flights, visas and land tours?
Most Asia river programs bundle hotels, guides and some internal flights; international air is often extra. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise quote the whole trip and tell you exactly which visas you need for your route.
This site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Our River Cruise Sites for Asia
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Ask Which Asian River Fits You
Tell us your dates and interests — temples, scenery, food, wildlife — and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match you to a river and quote real sailings.
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