[Photo provided to China Daily]

But the number of guests from overseas is dropping, says Yu Bing, marketing director of Yichang Royal Yangzi Cruise Ltd, a high-end cruise company targeting the overseas market.

"In recent years, pollution along the Yangtze has driven away many foreign travelers," he says.

"And natural disasters, such as mudslides, also severely affect our business."

The proportion of its overseas passengers has fallen from 70 percent to 60 percent.

Cruise terminals along the Yangtze River still need upgrades, he adds.

"There are a lot of natural and historical sites in the Three Gorges area," he says.

"But poor facilities have hindered their development."

Chongqing plans to build a cruise terminal at Chaotianmen Port on the Yuzhong Peninsula, plus 10 other terminals along the Yangtze.

Last November, Hubei launched its $1 billion Yichang Yangtze River Cruise Center project.

Contact the writer at tanyingzi@chinadaily.com.cn

Deng Rui contributed to the story.