When it comes to booking a river cruise getaway, many people automatically opt for a journey along the waterways of central and western Europe, but did you know that there are also a number of itineraries that travel further afield, across Russia, Asia and the Far East? Read on to learn more about some of the far-flung rivers, waiting to be explored when you book with RiverVoyages.com.

Yangtze

The Yangtze River is the longest and largest waterway in China, flowing for around 4,000 miles through 11 provinces and a number of major cities. The Yangtze has played an important role in China’s long and illustrious history, acting as a bustling trade route as well as being home to a range of the country’s most fascinating wildlife.

Highlights on a typical river cruise along the Yangtze including stops in bustling cities such as Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, whilst also navigating the impressive and breath-taking Three Gorges Dam, which is perhaps the waterway’s most famous landmarks, as the world’s largest hydro-electric power station.

Volga

Although technically still in Europe, Russia is home to several waterways, which flow through the country’s finest ports. A river cruise on the River Volga often includes trips along other smaller adjoining waterways, such as the River Neva, the Volga-Baltic waterway and the Moscow Canal.

Expect to see some of Russia’s most iconic cities on a Volga river cruise, including the nation’s famous capital of Moscow and the colourful city of St Petersburg, which is well-known for its striking architecture and historical intrigue.

Mekong

A river cruise along the Mekong River is a scenic, intriguing and often magical voyage. Stretching over 2,500 miles, this vast waterway runs through nations including China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, offering passengers a true Far Eastern experience. Despite the rivers many rapids and waterfalls, it remains a popular river cruise option.

River cruises along the Mekong incorporate a number of ports within a number of different countries. Passengers can expect to call in wonderful Asian towns and cities including Vietnam’s capital of Hanoi as well as the beautiful and historic city of Angkor Wat in Cambodia amongst many other terrific destinations.

Don

The Don River is another of Russia’s major waterways, flowing for over 1,200 miles from the town of Novomoskovsk, through Tula and into the Sea of Azov. The river has been a major trade route for thousands of years and now contains many modern dams and connecting canals.

The Don River is located close to the River Volga, so travellers who opt for a river cruise along this majestic waterway are likely to find that their itinerary is quite similar, often featuring stops in St Petersburg as well as Moscow.

Dnieper

The Dnieper River is the second longest river in Russia, after the Volga, and stretches for around 1,200 miles, running through the nations of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus before emptying into the Black Sea. The waterway is well-known for its imposing dams and remains a popular option amongst curious river cruisers.

A Dnieper river cruise itinerary is likely to take you to a number of wonderful eastern European destinations within Russia and Ukraine. Ports such as Odessa, Yalta, Kherson and Kiev are often featured, each providing an insight into the culture and history of this fascinating part of the world.