“Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace” cruise ship successfully launched. (Photo provided by the involved unit)
On September 12, the “Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace,” the largest green, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly domestic cruise ship, was successfully launched at the Zhijiang Xinhui Shipyard.
The “Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace” cruise ship was invested by the Three Gorges Tourism Group under Hubei Three Gorges Cultural Tourism Group and constructed by Yichang Xinhui Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The ship has a total length of about 150 meters, a width of 23 meters, a maximum passenger capacity of 650 people, and 259 guest rooms. In the future, it will mainly operate round-trip routes between Yichang and Chongqing, making it one of the largest green, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly domestic cruise ships.
The “Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace” cruise ship uses a “fuel + power battery” hybrid power system, combining extended-range propulsion and intelligent energy management to achieve an ultra-long range of 1,500 kilometers. Compared to cruise ships of the same size, the “Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace” can save more than 20% in energy.
The cruise ship is divided into 7 floors, with a total of nearly 20,000 square meters of space, which will be divided into multiple functionally distinct and uniquely designed areas. The ship is equipped with a large central DC inverter air conditioning system and a fresh air system, using eco-friendly building materials and vibration and noise reduction technology to create a quiet, low-carbon environment. Additionally, the ship is the first to incorporate Huawei’s HarmonyOS Smart Home, enabling full-cabin smart scene integration, allowing centralized and unified management and coordinated control of devices such as lighting, curtains, air conditioning, and smart door locks. Passengers can adjust the indoor environment via voice commands or touch panels, supporting seamless check-in, one-touch scenario switching, and AI butler services, offering a new smart travel experience where “everything is ready upon arrival.”
“It can be said that this cruise ship is like a mobile ‘waterborne resort complex.’ The ‘Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace’ was jointly developed and designed by Wuhan Yangtze River Ship Design Institute Co., Ltd. and the internationally renowned high-end cruise design company German PSD Design Group, with a core design philosophy of ‘closeness to nature, spaciousness, brightness, and comfort,’ meeting passengers’ high-quality, one-stop needs for ‘dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, and entertainment.'”
After the successful launch of the “Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace” cruise ship, it will proceed to interior decoration, soft furnishing, equipment debugging, testing, and inspection. The ship is expected to make its maiden voyage in the first half of 2026. The operation of interprovincial cruise ships like the “Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace” will further strengthen Yichang’s role as a “hub city for interprovincial cruise home ports,” fully leveraging the radiating effect of the “home port economy,” deeply connecting port cities along the Yangtze River, promoting the integration of cultural and tourism resources and industrial collaboration along the route, and injecting strong momentum into Yichang’s accelerated development as a world-renowned cultural and tourism destination.
Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace
“Yangtze Journey · Lunar Embrace” is a modern cultural performance and scenic experience along China’s Yangtze River, which has been a cradle of Chinese civilization for millennia. It combines the river’s profound historical significance with artistic interpretation, often featuring light shows or performances that pay homage to traditional legends and the natural beauty of the Three Gorges region.
Three Gorges Tourism Group
The Three Gorges Tourism Group is a major Chinese state-owned enterprise responsible for developing and managing tourism in the renowned Three Gorges region of the Yangtze River. It was established to support the local economy and promote cultural and ecological tourism, particularly after the construction of the massive Three Gorges Dam, which dramatically altered the landscape and created new attractions. The group now operates a fleet of cruise ships and manages key cultural sites and scenic spots along the river.
Hubei Three Gorges Cultural Tourism Group
The Hubei Three Gorges Cultural Tourism Group is a major state-owned enterprise in China’s Hubei Province, established to manage and promote tourism in the iconic Three Gorges region. It oversees numerous cultural and scenic sites, including those related to the immense Three Gorges Dam project and the ancient Ba and Chu cultures that have flourished along the Yangtze River for millennia.
Yichang Xinhui Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Yichang Xinhui Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is a modern shipbuilding enterprise located in Yichang, a major city on the Yangtze River in China’s Hubei province. It was established to support the region’s significant inland waterway transportation industry, leveraging Yichang’s strategic position as a key port. The company specializes in constructing and repairing various types of vessels for use on the river.
Zhijiang Xinhui Shipyard
The Zhijiang Xinhui Shipyard is a modern shipbuilding facility located in Jiangmen, Guangdong province, China. While its specific founding history is not widely documented in public sources, it is part of China’s contemporary maritime industry, focusing on the construction and repair of commercial vessels. It represents the region’s significant role in the country’s shipbuilding and industrial development.
Wuhan Yangtze River Ship Design Institute Co., Ltd.
The Wuhan Yangtze River Ship Design Institute Co., Ltd. is a major Chinese research and design entity specializing in the development of various vessels, including naval and commercial ships. It was established in the 1960s and has played a significant role in China’s domestic shipbuilding industry, contributing to advancements in marine technology and engineering.
German PSD Design Group
The German PSD Design Group is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather a contemporary design and architecture firm. It was founded in 1990 and is known for its work on commercial and retail projects, including flagship stores for major brands. The company’s history is one of modern commercial design rather than a historical landmark.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS Smart Home
Huawei’s HarmonyOS Smart Home is not a physical place but an ecosystem of interconnected devices powered by the company’s proprietary HarmonyOS operating system. It was developed by Huawei as part of its broader 1+8+N strategy, initially launched in 2019 in response to U.S. trade restrictions, to create a seamless, cross-device experience for its users. This system allows various smart home products—from phones and tablets to appliances and sensors—to communicate and work together efficiently.
