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Beijing Express Eastbound
Overview
Explore the beautiful countryside of Russia and China with the Beijing Express! This fast-track rail tour travels on the exquisite Trans-Manchurian Railway, bypassing Mongolia and spending more time in the sublime mountain landscapes of North China. If you are an avid train enthusiast or backpacker and are looking for a cheaper yet no less spectacular alternative to the Trans-Mongolian, then look no further. Your 10-day journey starts in Moscow and takes you through Siberia, past Lake Baikal, and through the scenic mountains of North China before arriving at the Chinese capital, Beijing.
A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey
All relevant Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian rail tickets
Breakfast at all hotels, homestays and other accommodation
Russian letter of invitation and visa support documents for China
Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
Itinerary
Moscow
Russia’s official capital, Moscow, is the political and religious heart of the country. The city has the highest density of billionaires, is the world’s most populated inland city and boasts six out of Europe’s ten tallest buildings. It continues to be a major tourist destination in Europe growing year on year with famous attractions including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 2
Sightseeing tour of Moscow
Today, you will be met bright and early after breakfast by your expert guide who will run you through a brief itinerary of the day and answer any questions you may have. After, you will begin your 3-hour tour of Moscow by car where you will get to see many of the highlights including Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral, followed by the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University, New Arbat, Sparrow Hills and more.
Breakfast
City Tour by car
Expert Guide
Red Square
Moscow Kremlin
St Basil’s Cathedral
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Sparrow Hills Viewpoint
Novodevichy Convent
Day 3
Free time in Moscow
After breakfast, you will have most of the day free to relax and explore Moscow or take one of our optional Moscow city excursions. Later, you can make the most of late check-out at your hotel and meet your driver at the hotel for a transfer to the train station. At the train station, our guide will advise you, answer any last-minute questions, and make sure you have everything you need for your train journey.
Breakfast
Free Time
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Transfer to Train
Expert Guide
Optional Extras
Travel to
Trans-Manchurian
A variant of the traditional Trans-Siberian Railway, the Trans-Manchurian travels through Russia, Siberia and rural China starting from either Moscow or Beijing. The route visits many major cities along the way including Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude and Chita. The Trans-Manchurian is known for varied and beautiful scenery, particularly in Northern China.
Day 4
Depart Moscow and travel the Tran-Manchurian Railway route
You will spend the next six days travelling across Russia and China on the amazing Trans-Manchurian Railway.
Day on the Train
Night on the Train
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to
Beijing
The capital of China, Beijing, has a long history stretching back over 3000 years. The city is known for its unrivalled culture and architecture and is home to no less than 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the world-famous Forbidden City complex and the Badaling Great Wall of China. Beijing is one of the ‘Four Great Ancient Capitals of China’ and has been the political centre of the country for 800 years.
Day 10
Arrival in Beijing
You will pass through rural China and the mountainous river valleys, before continuing past the amazing Great Wall of China.
Day on the Train
Prominent Landscape
Scenic Surrounds
Departure Transfer
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More information
What’s included
A transfer with a personal guide to accompany you to the train on the start of your journey- Accommodation as part of the tour
- All relevant Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian rail tickets
- All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
- Breakfast at all hotels, homestays and other accommodation
- Half day guided tour with excursions: Moscow
- Russian letter of invitation and visa support documents for China
- Transfers for all departures and arrivals at each city
What’s not included
Flights or other travel arrangements prior to tour joining point- Masks or hand sanitizers
- Meals, unless specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as souvenir shopping, or extra food and drink not included in the itinerary
- Visa processing and service costs
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more- Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
- Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
- Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
- Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
- WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
- Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
There are no special notes for this tour
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Beijing
The ultimate guidebook to Beijing that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Beijing is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the city, the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
China
The ultimate guidebook to China that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s China is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the country, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Moscow
The ultimate guidebook to Moscow that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Moscow is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to any destination from how to get around the city, the best places to eat, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Russia: Lonely Planet
The ultimate guidebook to Russia that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Russia is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to this vast country from how to get around, the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights, currency and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Moscow Kremlin, Lake Baikal and the Romanov sites, this guide includes detailed maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
Visa Information
Single Entry Tourist Visa
