Trans-Mongolian Railway

The endless Mongolian steppes.

In the morning I boarded the train K23 at the Beijing train station, direction Ulaanbaatar. The trans-Mongolian railway cross Mongolia from the south to the north, from China to Russia.
This time I didn't had to get out of the train in the middle of the night to pass the border. The officials of China and Mongolia will board the train and come check your passport. Another thing that happen at the border is the switching of wheels. Mongolia use the Russian standard for their rails track gauge, but the Chinese use the smaller international track gauge. Instead of having passengers change train at the border, they change the wheels of the train. The wagons are brought to a hangar, elevated and the wheel block is switched. You can stay in the wagon during the process and watch the workers. It's interesting to see it from your cabin. Be careful during the passport control and wheels change the toilets are closed. It will last during five hours, so go to the toilet before.

In the morning, I was greeted by the Mongolian steppes. It was grass all around us, up to the horizon. I was eagerly waiting to go explore this huge land.

My cabin.


The fancy dining car. The food was tasty.


Wagon being lifted up to change the wheels from the Chinese ones to the Russian ones. You can stay in the wagon during the operation.

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