Riding on the Trans-Siberian Railway to China is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you are sure to remember. If you are considering to embark on this amazing journey or you are curious as to how to survive it, here are a few tips for conquering your travels.
Never forget the baby wipes.
As a child, you may well have been embarrassed by your mother’s tendency to pull out a packet of wet wipes at every opportunity. But, you need them for this trip. On your Trans-Siberian trip to China, you will land up using the wet wipes for so many things, like cleaning toilet seats before you use them, replacing water and soap in bathrooms, and to freshen up when a hot shower just isn’t an option.
Bring snacks.
Take lots of snacks along with you, especially if you have dietary restrictions. Train food can be limited and expensive, or your stomach may not agree with the local cuisine, and while food kiosks are definitely available at each station, noodle bowls and biscuits and get boring pretty quickly. Each train car offers plenty of hot water, so you can make soups, tea, and coffee, but it doesn’t hurt to pack a few packets of snacks like pretzels, granola bars, and dried fruit.
Be sure to document your travels.
Don’t forget your journal, you’re going to want to document every part of your trip to China. The train, especially, is a fantastic way to meet people from all around the globe, and being able to remember each moment by jotting it down is simply priceless. Having pen and paper on hand is also a good way to pass the time composing lists and doodles!
Get a phrase book.
Get a Russian phrase book, for starters, as the Russian alphabet tends to be tricky if you don’t speak a Slavic language, and you will want to learn to recognize some letters while having an understanding of keywords and phrases. You’ll also want a basic Chinese phrase book for the same reason. When you book escorted tours to China, ask the travel agency about phrases books for your trip.
Stay close to the train when you’re at station stops.
Most stops are only about 20 minutes, and while it’s tempting to wander off after being cooped up in a small train car, remember that the train will not wait for you. Departure announcements are typically made in another language, and there is no whistle to signify that it is time to go. Also, there’s not much warning given before the train departs the station, so you don’t want to get left behind.
Get to know other passengers.
Traveling to China on the Trans-Siberian railway is an incredible experience, and everyone is in it together. So, being social will open you up to a whole range of new experiences, and getting to know a few locals is sure to impact your travels. The train is full of explorers, so there will be plenty of conversations to be had.
Remember all these tips and have a fun an memorable trip to China via the Trans-Siberian.
