Along the 18,000-km-long coastline, over 20 world-class ports have been built as the domestic and international trade prospers. From the north to the south, they are Dalian, Yingkou, Tianjin, Qingdao, Yantai, Rizhao, Nanjing (largest river port in China, shipping tonnage of 2003 is 66 million gross tons), Nantong, Zhenjiang, Lianyungang, Shanghai (the third largest port in the world, shipping tonnage is 379 million gross tons in 2004), Zhoushan, Wenzhou, Ninbo, Xiamen, Shantou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Zhanjiang, Haikou and Fangchenggang. Most of these major ports are connected. Most popular routes include Dalian- Tiangjin, Dalian- Yantai, Shanghai- Dalian, Shanghai- Qingdao, Shanghai- Guangzhou, Beihai - Guangzhou, Guangzhou – Haikou, Hong Kong – Zhuhai.
 
For the time being, the total mileage of inland waterways has reached 119,000 km, among which more than 8,000 km are capable of accommodating vessels above 1,000 tons. The inland shipping system has been primarily formed with the Yangtze, the Pearl River, the Huaihe River and the Heilongjiang River as the backbone waterways. The Yangtze River System is linked with the Huaihe River system by the Grand Canal. There is also remarkable progress in port construction. The total number of inland river ports is more than 1,300 with about 30,000 productive berths of which 4,670 have an accommodation capacity of 500 tons. (Source: Ministry of Communication of P. R. China)

Among all these inland navigation routes, the following are the most frequently used routes in China for international tourists and travelers:

       1.Yangtze Cruise

"Farewell to the Yangtze Three Gorges" has been used by many tour operators as a marketing strategy in late 1990’s, while we can see that the Three Gorges are still there selling well like hot cakes, even after water rising 35 meters higher (finally 75 meters in 2009). More and more deluxe cruise ships are built to suit best the clients’ requirements because the watercourse is much wider and smoother than ever before. Clients can choose to start from Chongqing to Yichang, Wuhan and Shanghai, or vice versa.

       2.The Grand Canal and the overnight cruise Suzhou - Hangzhou

First part of the Grand Canal was constructed in Spring and Autumn Period (5th century B.C.). After extended in Sui Dynasty (7th century) and Yuan Dynasty (13th century A.D.), it finally reached a length of 1794km. As an old Chinese saying “Paradise in Heaven, on earth it shall be Suzhou and Hangzhou”, diligent Chinese connected the two pretty cities by building the Canal. Now an overnight cruise has been launched for the local citizens and tourists. The voyage totals 146.6 km, feasting your eyes on the enthralling waterside village scenery, typical of the areas south of the Yangtze River as you sail along this route.

       3. Li River cruise (Guilin - Yangshuo)

The Li River is the connecting waterway between Guilin and Yangshuo. The cruise can be the highlight of your China trip. The 3.5-hour voyage is 64km long, unfolding the stunning landscape and rural life of South China on both sides of the river. The Li River twists and turns between lush, green rock formations known in geographic terms as karsts. You'll be cruising downstream, sitting in cushioned comfort in the main cabin or enjoying the open-air viewing platform. Lunch will be served onboard, with local favorites and fresh catches from the Li River.

       4. Shenzhen/HK & Macao turbo-jet boat