Trans-Mongolian or Trans-Siberian?
With BBC breakfast TV presenter Bill Turnbull wending his way by train across Russia to Vladivostock the question is raised as to what exactly is the difference between the Trans-Siberian and the Trans-Mongolian? They are both legendary train journeys enabling you to traverse the vast Eurasian land mass from the west of Russia to the east of China including the immense wilderness of Siberia. The Trans-Siberian runs between Moscow and Vladivostock and the Trans-Mongolian follows the same route to Irkutsk in Siberia before crossing the Mongolian border, travelling through the steppe on its way to Beijing.
Imaginative Traveller considers the latter a far more interesting journey (sorry Bill!) as time is spent not only in the capital cities of Ulaan Baatar and Beijing but also in the Mongolian wilderness where travellers can experience traditional Mongolian hospitality staying overnight with local families in their gers or exploring the remote Khogno Khan Mountains.
Off the beaten (narrow gauge) track for definite!
Trans-Mongolian Moscow to Beijing
Trans-Mongolian Beijing to Moscow
