Beijing to Moscow

My route is marked in yellow spray paint.

This is the first part of my journey and the longest non-stop train ride I will take. Because I only have a Russian transit visa, I won’t be able to leave the stations when the train stops. Beijing to Moscow takes 6 days…

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Preparations – the final days in China

I’ve spent the last 2 days holed up in a Beijing  hotel room, relaxing and preparing for the big trip. After the intensity of Jinju, relaxing feels like a guilty pleasure.  Once again, I stayed at the Sanlitun Youth Hostel in the heart of the embassy and bar district. This time I booked my own double room, to give me space to spread out all my belonging, take stock and spend some time alone. Dorm rooms here are good value, but I’m going to spend the next 6 nights in a train ‘dorm’, so I want some peace and quiet while I still have the chance.

Getting my Russian transit visa was pretty straight-forward. Making the application was a little annoying, mainly because we had to queue outside the embassy for almost 2 hours. But once I got inside, the staff were fairly helpful and it was a quick albeit expensive process. I went back the next morning to collect my passport and was in and out in ten minutes. I even got a 100 yuan refund on the visa fee, with no explanation, so I guess they overcharged me yesterday. I didn’t complain or ask questions, just took the money and left.

For entertainment on the train, I’ve been stocking up with ebooks, real books, podcasts and music. The Trans-Siberian Handbook and Lonely Planet warn against taking too many books, as they say you won’t have time to read them all. Apparently there’s a mad social life on this train, which I’m curious to experience.

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Trans-Manchurian

Flying? Not for me. I prefer to be adventurous and experience the ‘real’ journey, just like Paul Theroux or Ewan Mcgregor.

Who am I kidding? I hate flying with a passion that borders on phobia.  But I also like adventures, and this is an unmissable chance to have one.

The main part of my journey will be spent on board the ‘Vostok’, travelling from Beijing to Moscow via Harbin and old Manchuria.  As I only have a Russian transit visa, I won’t be able to get off the train at any point between Beijing and Moscow, except at brief station stops. The Vostok will literally become my home for six whole days.

Arriving in Moscow in the evening of Friday September 4th, I can then spend 72 hours sightseeing in the city. However I need to be out of Russian territory before those 72 hours are up, no matter what. Russian immigration is extremely strict, so I’ve heard.

(Note: the photo at the top of my blog is not mine. I hope to get some nice ones of my own after the trip. I got this one from http://www.flickr.com/photos/90715281@N00/1600507676)

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