Based on the analysis of the Yangtze River mainstream waterway conditions and relevant policies,we analyze the key factors needing consideration for the layout of Shanghai to Chongqing section of the Yangtze River cruising route,i.e.the Yangtze River navigation circumstance,sailing time,lockage time,attraction of tourism resources and urban development level,etc.,and set the urban resources,port resources and tourism resources as the principal selecting criteria.According to the ship sailing time and the cruising rhythm of “daytime touring & night sailing”,we choose the suitable port location along the Yangtze River,i.e. Shanghai,Nantong,Zhenjiang,Nanjing,Anqing,Jiujiang,Wuhan,Yueyang,Jingzhou,Yichang,and Chongqing.This study lays the foundation for the cruise company to choose the suitable port location and reasonable route layout.