Trans-Siberian - From Moscow to Beijing

Leave in silence

It's cold and dark and we are about to embark on the longest train journey in the world going from Moscow to Beijing. Yaroslavsky is one of nine railway stations in Moscow and the starting point of the Trans-Siberian.

Yaroslavsky station, Moscow

Directions

It's a good thing that the train is labelled, in case we forget where we are going.

Our train, somewhere in Russia

Looking for breakfast

Reine in Balezino, Russia

Na zdorovie

Sharing meals - the Russian way.

Somewhere in Russia

Keeping an eye out

Each train wagon has a provodnitsa which are caretakers, managers and executioners at the same time. Don't make them angry or they will turn the heat off.

Kirov, Russia

We brake for nobody

Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world, holding 20 percent of the world's total fresh water. It's also the oldest lake in the world, more than 25 million years old.

Sunrise at Lake Baikal, Russia

Thumbs up

Heading south and it's finally getting a bit warmer.

Reine in southern Siberia

Across the plains

As the train starts to go south towards Mongolia the forests are replaced by low grass.

Somewhere in Russia

Daily routine

Making noodles for supper at the samovar. A touch of glamour.

Somewhere in Russia

Stocking up

The train needs a lot of coal, which came with a fog.

Ulan-Ude, Russia

Taking the helm

This town has a statue of the first Mongolian cosmonaut standing in the square. It was also once home to the largest Soviet military air base in Mongolia, but today it's mostly a ghost town.

Choir, Mongolia

City on the edge of forever

People actually live out here in the outskirts of the Gobi desert.

Sainshand, Mongolia

Crossing the desert

A good time for dessert.

Gobi desert, Mongolia

Through the wall

As we crossed northern China the Great Wall could be seen here and there along the mountains.

South of Zhangjiakou, China