Running across 1,556 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar through the wide expanses of the Gobi Desert down to Beijing Central Station, the Trans-Mongolian train route is one of the most legendary journeys in all of Asia.
The Border Exchange at Erenhot
One of the most remarkable technical aspects of this journey takes place at the border station of Erenhot (Elian). Mongolia uses broad Russian gauge (1520mm), whereas China uses standard gauge (1435mm). Rather than changing trains, every carriage is individually jacked up with passengers inside while railway technicians swap out the heavy steel bogies underneath.
Dining Car Transformations
As the train crosses international borders, the dining car changes! In Mongolia, you will experience rich wooden carvings and traditional mutton soups; once in China, a sleek Chinese dining car is attached serving fresh wok dishes and green tea.