Transsiberian railway

The traditional Trans Siberian route stretches 9288 kilometers between
Moscow and Vladivostok. However, two variations are becoming increasingly popular – the Trans Mongolian, which runs between Moscow and Beijing via Mongolia, and the Trans Manchurian, also running between Moscow and Beijing, but bypassing Mongolia.

Most travelers start their journeys in Moscow and go east, although it is certainly possible  to go in the opposite direction.  If you are keen on interacting with locals and practicing your Russian skills, consider starting in Vladivostok or Beijing and heading west. You will likely encounter fewer tourists  and more locals who are simply taking the train as a means of transportation, not as an adventure.

Unless you love the idea of spending a week straight on a train, u should make at least one stop along the way, if not more. One of the best things about the Trans-Siberian is the opportunity it affords you to see more of Russia than just Moscow and/or St. Petersburg. If you have the time, here is a few suggestions:

Kazan. Technically a detour from the main Trans Siberian route, this 1000-year-old city is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of the most attractive cities you might visit on your journey. Its Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage site and just outside of town is the unique Temple of All Religions, a building combining 16 world religions. If you are visiting in June, don’t miss the celebration of Sabantuy, the most popular folk holiday in Tatarstan.Irkutsk. The main attraction here is Lake Baikal – the deepest lake in the world. 

Irkutsk is not actually on the shores of the lake so a stop for at least two days is ideal to allow time for either a day trip to the town of Listvyanka on the lakeshore or a longer trip to Olkhon Island, the largest island in the lake. A minimum of three days is best for Olkhon – a day to get there, a day to explore the island, and a day to return.

Ulan Ude. Just an eight hour train ride from Irkutsk and not far from the Mongolia border, Ulan Ude is the capital of Buryatia, home to Russia’s largest indigenous people, the Buryats. It is also a center of Buddhism in Russia and if you stop here, a trip outside the city to the Ivolginsky Datsan (Buddhist monastery) is a must.  For a different approach to visiting Lake Baikal, you might also plan a few days for a side trip up to the village of Ust-Barguzin on the lake’s southern shore.