Russia Attractions

A slight variation to the Trans- Sib

Advantages: great scenery, meet new people, chance to relax
Disadvantages: not good for those short on time

Although this review comes under the heading of 'the trans-siberian' i am writing about the 'trans-mongolian' a slightly different route and one that i think is much better. It starts the same way in Moscow, leaving every Tuesday evening shortly after 9pm and eventually ends up in Beijing. I did this trip in the spring of 2008 and experienced temperatures in Russia ranging from the high twentys to minus figures - so a word of warning - come well ...
...stock and manned by similarly Chinese attendants which poses few problems, although most of them speak no english whatsoever. The cabins themselves are very tidy with 4 to a cabin the most popular and convenient 2nd class. I would definitely reccommend this class to anyone. Bedding is provided, beds are comfortablish and each room has a neat little box which is secure and available to secure your belongings (under the lower bunks). Each 2nd class ...

alimason 12.09.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Trans-Siberian Railway (Russia)

Irkutsk-capital of Siberia

Advantages: Interesting historical sites.
Disadvantages: Does not stand out against other Siberian cities

Irkutsk is the capital of the Irkutsk Oblast province in Russian Eastern Siberia and with 590,000 people one of the largest population centres in all of Siberia. The city is situated on the Trans-Siberian railway route and despite seeming a long way east, and the last stop before the rails split and dive down into Mongolia, it is actually only around half way between Moscow and Vladivostok (being a 3-4 day rail journey to either) which gives an idea ...
...huge distance to the west, Irkutsk has a distinctly different feel to it than the Western Russian cities. The population is also more mixed with a noticeable percentage of the population being non-white and of Buryat (the original inhabitants of the region) or other ethnic ancestry. Like all of Siberia the winter is extremely cold but the summer can be quite warm so come prepared depending on your time of visit. As a personal choice I love Siberia ...

flyingllamas 23.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Irkutsk in General

  Slow Train to China - part two

Advantages: A once in a lifetime experience
Disadvantages: You wouldn't want to do it twice

...If you ever ride the Trans-Manchurian railway, content yourself with the view across the Sungari River and go on to Beijing. oo Havi ng failed to follow my own advice, it is some days later before we travel on south to the capital, this time aboard a Chinese train. There are no essential differences in design and layout between the Russian and Chinese rolling stock, but these carriages are brand ...
...The Chinese carriage attendants are smartly uniformed and stand to attention by their doors saluting to martial music as the train pulls out, a reminder of the regimentation of so many aspects of Chinese life. But China works. The restaurant car is copiously provisioned and the staff quickly rustle up a substantial inexpensive meal. In Russian restaurant cars we were always uncertain whether and with what we might be fed. Throughout this journey, ...

torr 21.11.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Trans-Manchurian Railway

Slow Train to China - part one

Advantages: Even the longest journey....
Disadvantages: ....begins with a single steppe

...Oo The Trans-Siberian Railway had been on my list of "things to do before I die" for as long as I can remember. For anyone with a sense of adventure and a liking for trains - by far the most civilised way to travel in my opinion - it's a must. It's the Big One (or at least the Long One), the ultimate railway challenge and experience. When my elder son went to work in Harbin in Northern China for ...
...seriously long rivers on the Trans-Siberian route aren't encountered until one reaches Asia. But the realisation that this unheralded stream is nearly four times the length of any British river brings home to the traveller the sheer scale of the land into which the train is steadily and relentlessly carrying him. The train is not fast. The 450 km from Gorkiy to Kirov takes another six hours, an average speed of rather under 50 mph. There are three ...

torr 13.11.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Trans-Siberian Railway (Russia)

making tracks across 2 continents

Advantages: a chance to travel the longest railway in the world, amazing scenery, opportunities to meet many different and fascinating people, the feeling of pride you get from doing something challenging and unusual
Disadvantages: limited food, occasional risks of theft, boredom if you dont bring enough to do or if you fidget easily

I travelled on the Trans Siberian Railway as part of my journey home from Japan. it has always been an ambition to travel this famous railway and it didnt disappoint although there were times when I came close to going stir-crazy on the 7 day journey. We found our tour operator on the internet, Monkey Business, and they were extremely helpful, providing us with handbooks, detailed itineraries and organising homestays and accomodation in every place ...
...huge and fascinating capital of China. Of course, we had to take in the famous sights of the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) and the Summer Palace; and no trip to China could be complete with out a walk along the great wall. I found the peopl in Beijing to be friendly and helpful, in fact almost everywhere we went we found we had a little group of curious locals trailing behind, offering to help us with directions or just to enjoy the spectacle of ...

emma_chan 30.08.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Trans-Siberian Railway (Russia)