The Trans-Siberian Railway Expedition

After landing in the capital of the Middle Kingdom, begin your adventure with a tour of Beijing’s fascinating Temple of Heaven Park. Located in the city’s Chongwen District, Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 and is filled with unique buildings, including the largest building for religious worship in China. Take your time exploring the park’s various grand structures and immerse yourself in the history and legacy of Beijing. Before heading to your hotel for the night, be sure to sample some famous Peking duck at one of the city’s family-owned restaurants.

Start your day in the heart of Beijing with a tour of Tiananmen Square. Famous for its political and cultural significance, the massive Square will awe you with its sheer size and assortment of important buildings and monuments. Nearby, spend a few fascinating hours discovering the Great Hall of People and the National Museum of China, two of the most popular attractions in Beijing.

For lunch, head to Beijing’s Wangjujing Street for some of Asia’s most unusual and tasty treats, such as deep fried scorpions, or snakes and seahorses! Then make your way to the Forbidden City, an incredible imperial palace complex lined with lush gardens and thousands of fascinating buildings dating back to the 1400s. End your day with a sunset stroll along the charming old streets of Beijing where you’ll find plenty of authentic Chinese food and culture.

Dive into railroad life on as you board the train and settle in to your traveling home away from home. Sit back and get some well-earned rest and relaxation en route to your first stop in Mongolia.

Spend the greater part of the day gazing upon the unspoiled landscape of Mongolia. In the afternoon, disembark in Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar, an ever-changing city set in the rolling foothills of the Bogd mountain range. Known as the world’s “coldest capital,” Ulaanbataar will intrigue you with its mix of the ultra-modern and the traditional, all packed into a city yet undiscovered by most of the world. Spend the remainder of your day exploring the city’s top museums and historical landmarks before checking into your hotel for the night.

Rise early and board your transfer to nearby Terelj National Park. Spend the day exploring the park’s maze of hiking trails to scenic alpine overlooks surrounded by an incredibly diverse array of flora and fauna. Take your time capturing photos amongst the park’s breathtaking granite rock formations before returning to Ulaanbaatar for the night.

After a leisurely breakfast, board the train to settle in once more and continue your journey west. Keep your eye out for the region’s quaint villages dotted with tiny wooden houses and the occasional glimpse of one of Siberia’s gorgeous domed churches. As evening falls, cross from Mongolia to Russia.

Continue your adventure as your train pushes deeper into the heart of Russian territory and the Republic of Buryatia. Stop to explore the Buryat capital city of Ulan-Ude, then keep your camera handy as you reboard the train and travel along the shores of Lake Baikal, through east and western Siberia, making your way to your final destination of Moscow.

Enjoy your final hours of train life with some delicious meals, more incredible photo opportunities and some quiet moments as you enjoy watching the changing landscape as it passes by. Disembark in the late afternoon and head to the airport for your return home, or stay a while and explore some of Moscow’s countless tourist sites.