China's first hybrid cruise ship with the largest battery capacity in its class has entered operation.
April 10 marked the grand arrival of "Changjiang Xing · Lanyue" — the first space-intelligent cruise ship on the Yangtze — as it docked in Yichang, Hubei, following its completion. This stunning new vessel is now the country's largest hybrid resort cruiser for inter-provincial travel, boasting the biggest battery capacity in an extended-range system. Built at a cost of around 300 million yuan by China Three Gorges Tourism Group, it represents a major leap in green and smart river tourism.
Apr 15th,2026
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Source: Electric Ship Era
Ship Design and Propulsion System
The "Changjiang Xing · Lanyue" measures approximately 150 meters in total length, nearly 23 meters in beam, and has a gross tonnage of close to 17,000 tons. It features 259 fully smart cabins and has a maximum passenger capacity of 650. The vessel adopts a "fuel + battery" extended-range hybrid propulsion system, equipped with China's leading extended-range generator sets, high-performance electronic control, and motor systems. Its battery capacity reaches 2,580 kWh, with a comprehensive range of 1,500 kilometers. The hybrid system is configured with three engines and three propellers, and a bow thruster is installed for enhanced maneuverability, allowing the ship to safely navigate the complex and variable waterways of the Yangtze River. In terms of energy efficiency, the ship is the first large long-haul luxury cruise vessel to apply a large central DC variable-frequency air conditioning system, and it also features secondary energy utilization technology. The air conditioning system achieves an overall energy saving of 20%, and compared to cruise ships of similar size, the vessel reduces total energy consumption by over 20%. Additionally, the ship is equipped with comprehensive pollutant collection and storage devices, ensuring that all types of waste are fully collected, brought ashore, and discharged with zero emission into the river.
Green and Smart Features
In terms of green and low-carbon design, the vessel integrates technological achievements from multiple organizations, achieving several breakthroughs in ship design and localized equipment manufacturing. It applies DC variable-frequency air conditioning and secondary energy utilization technologies, and is equipped with airbag suspension, high-performance soundproofing, and eco-friendly building materials, creating a low-carbon and quiet cruising environment. On the smart technology front, the ship collaborated with Huawei to develop intelligent cabins, making it the first resort cruise ship on the Yangtze River equipped with the Huawei HarmonyOS Smart Home system. Cabin doors feature smart electronic nameplates that support facial recognition and NFC unlocking via mobile phones. Inside the cabins, AI-powered smart sensors and a voice control system can automatically adjust lighting, curtains, and air conditioning, and also support dialect recognition and various scene mode switches. AI sensors track passenger movement in real time to intelligently control lighting. In case of emergencies such as a passenger falling, the smart detection system can automatically identify the incident, trigger an alert at the front desk, and initiate an emergency assistance process.
Operation and Service
The "Changjiang Xing · Lanyue" primarily operates on the long-haul inter-provincial tourist passenger route from Chongqing to Yichang. For the first time on a Yangtze River inland cruise ship, it introduces the premium ocean cruise vacation concept, treating the cruise ship itself as the destination. The vessel offers immersive cruise-based theatrical experiences, full-process closed-loop services, and all-inclusive premium routes, covering scenic spots such as Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge, providing a one-stop solution for tourists' vacation needs including dining, accommodation, transportation, entertainment, and performances. On the same day, the cruise ship was officially awarded membership by the Golden Keys International Alliance, becoming the only inland river cruise project in China to join the alliance, and fully aligning its service standards with those of high-star-rated hotels.
Project Background and Future Plans
The "Changjiang Xing · Lanyue" is the only project in Hubei Province selected as both a national pilot for the promotion and application of new energy and clean energy ships, and a Yangtze River pilot for the promotion and application of green intelligent passenger ships. In recent years, the development of green ships on the Yangtze River has accelerated rapidly. In September 2025, the Yangtze River's first luxury cruise ship with photovoltaic power generation, the "M/V American Victoria Kui Xuan," made its maiden voyage, equipped with a 300kW solar photovoltaic system and a 1,600kWh power battery pack. Since April 1, 2026, the "Guidelines for Charging and Swapping of Electric Ships on the Yangtze River (Trial)" and the "Guidelines for Methanol Fuel Bunkering on the Yangtze River (Trial)" issued by the Changjiang River Administration of Navigational Affairs, Ministry of Transport have officially been put into practice, providing unified operational standards and safety regulations for the charging and swapping of electric ships on the Yangtze River.
Yichang City is deeply advancing the "Electrified Yangtze River" strategy, accelerating the electric replacement of official vessels, tourist passenger ships, and phosphate ore transport ships. The Yidu Green and Smart Ship Industrial Park project has a total investment of 5 billion yuan and a planned area of 1,588 mu.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China Three Gorges Tourism Group will progressively put into operation four inter-provincial luxury resort cruise ships. Among them, the sister ship of "Changjiang Xing · Lanyue," named "Changjiang Xing · Aurora," is expected to set sail in July 2026, and the second batch of two cruise ships is expected to be put into operation in 2028.
