Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zebra12]

Hello folks - If anyone can give me some sound advice and/or links on the Net, that point the way to help get this travel plan in order...many thanks for the insights! I will be leaving Korea for good [hiho!] at the end of this contract [AUG 15/09], with the wish to return to Canada via China - Mongolia - Russia - Europe - NA. Four years in SK has been fine--but now it's time to head back to civilization and rest up for Brazil.

If there's anyone out there in the Hermit Kingdom that may have done this trip in the recent past, well, I'd be delighted to hear from you. I'm off to Ottawa tomorrow (vacation) and, thus thought maybe I could see about the Russian 'Tourist visa' while there. My wish is to spend a few days in both Moscow and St. Petersberg...before heading on to Helsinki. Best - James

[soviet_man]

If you are not Chinese or Russian, the easiest way is to use an agency like www.monkeyshrine.com which is based on the ground in Beijing.

I say that because you can get train tickets, accommodation and visa invite all in the one shop.

Yes it will cost more, but buying these things independently (and out of country) invariably results in most foreigners being ripped off to an equal or greater degree anyway.

There are only 2 direct trains from Beijing to Moscow per week. One via Manchuria (avoiding Mongolia) and the other through Mongolia. Both take 1 week.

The train itself is basic. There are no showers. The food car is open only sometimes. The crew will keep your passport for the duration. The water will often be contaminated or undrinkable to non-locals. In winter it is mostly dark. Photography in some stations can get you arrested or worse. So no, it is not for everyone.

I don't want to sound racist, but --- both of these international trains (originating in Beijing) will have about 80% of the passengers be Chinese. Not many Russians take it - so infact you may likely get up close and personal with Chinese people for 1 week. It is often is gender segregated with 4 people per room.

To travel on a real Russian train, take a domestic one (eg. Vladivostok to Moscow) which will be almost exclusively Russian.

[Zebra12]

Thanks for the info. That website looks great--and your advice sounds dead-on. I don't mind mixing with the Chinese--done so a million times in Toronto--along with 6 million other eager beavers. I can meet the Russkies in Moscow...I'm there to pick up a collection of contemporary abstract art...and enjoy the Hermitage. I need a few mod Russian icons for the gallery. (I'm also curious to see how well the girls salsa dance in one of the local clubs.)

I want to travel via Mongolia...enjoy shooting pics with the Canon tp lens...play guitar with friends on the train. Simple stuff. I'm sure that the train ride that I took across Bolivia (to Chile) through the Andes was slightly rougher than the Trans-Siberian route. The tea perhaps much the same--albeit in Bolivia it's [legal] "mata-de-coca"! It keeps the cold at bay. I'll be travelling in late August...so it should be warm and a delight to see the vistas enroute to Moscow. As a Canuckistan, I am used to long train rides...so the chance to see the hinterland of Russia will give me a clearer sense of the shared similarities and/or differences, between our two countries. Pasternack's vision, will help rekindle my love of Russian literature, music and art. It's about time I visited the place.

Thanks again - cheers - James

[ThingsComeAround]

I've just returned from the same trip, Beijing -> Ulaan Bataar -> Moscow

It is definitely a worthwhile travel.

Even though I am not white, it was still cool. Most Russians outside of Moscow are friendly and curious of outsiders.

Monkeyshrine was too expensive, IMO. If you really want to save, it is possible to purchase tickets at the train station. I had cards filled out with the local language name for the next town my friend and I wanted to visit, which gave us more freedom in seeing the area. Atleast a week in Mongolia is recommended, as most people we met there were staying upwards of a month.

seat61.com was helpful for me. For the official train timetable www.poezda.net/train.htm