Having originally planned only a one night stop here before heading to Guilin via Chongqing, we immediately knew this would not be the case when we checked into the fantastic […]
Train
Xi’an: More than Terracotta Warriors
Xian is more than just Terracotta Warriors. With a much more lively and cosmopolitan feel than Beijing, it has at its centre the colourful and bustling Muslim Quarter. This is […]
Pingyao: Ming & Qing Dynasty Kitsch
Pingyao is one of the cities China is most proud of. Its visitor information says that it owns more “AAAA” tourist attractions than any other Chinese city, and it is […]
A Chinese train journey: Beijing – Pingyao
In recent years, China has pumped a staggering amount of money into its railways (the controversial QuingHai–Tibet line alone cost $5 billion). Unfortunately precious little of it seems to have […]
Irkutsk: & the Decembrists
After 17 hours in a 3rd class cabin (which translates as 54 bunks, 2 toilets and a host of aromas), we were relieved to arrive at 9.30am in Irkutsk. Having barely stepped […]
Krasnoyarsk: & Stolby National Park
It was quite sad saying goodbye to Mr. Fredricksen (a.k.a Paul) after spending so long talking to him on the train. He was met by two of his sons on […]
Josi’s Top Ten: Surviving Trans-Siberian train journey
When embarking on a journey by train there are a few things that you need to ensure are readily accessible as your rucksack is usually stowed away for the majority […]
Yekaterinburg: & the Romanov Memorial
We had been forewarned by internet reviews that our hostel – *Allis Hall Hostel* – would be difficult to find, but that was an understatement. Tucked around the back of […]