St Petersburg to Beijing Overland
Experience a grand cross-continental journey and a trip of a lifetime. See the jewels of Russian, art, architecture and culture. Marvel at fabled Silk Road cities replete with intricately decorated medrassahs, chill out on sun-dappled daybeds beneath mulberry trees and meet the inquisitive, courageous people of Uzbekistan. Roll along train tracks stretching from horizon to horizon and revel in the vast terrain and pristine natural reserves of Kazakhstan, by rail, road and foot. Explore the massive markets, gardens and soviet squares of Tashkent. Get amongst the iconic and ancient wonders of dynastic China. An adventure through history, culture and vast and varied landscape, this overland trip gives you plenty of time to explore the backstreets, back lots and big sights of these legendary lands.
Itinerary
| Day Number(s) | Title |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | Arrive in St Petersburg. Visit the Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace, free day before overnight sleeper train to Moscow. |
| 4-5 | Orientation tour, with free afternoon to explore. Visit Kremlin, St Basil's Cathedral and Red Square. Evening departure on Trans-Kazak train journey. |
| 6-8 | Aboard the Trans Kazakhstan Railway. |
| 9-10 | Free day to explore Tashkent before overnight train to Bukhara. |
| 11-13 | Explore Bukhara, Ark Fortress, Poikalon Ensemble and Samanid Mausoleum. |
| 14-15 | Continue via Alexander the Great's fortress to Nurata. Overnight in Sentab village. Optional short walks in the area. |
| 16 | Explore Samarkand. Visit Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda Mausoleum, Ulugbek Observatory and local bazaar. |
| 17 | Return to Tashkent. Visit Barak Khan Medressa, Kukeldash Medressa and Chorsu Bazaar. |
| 18-19 | Cross into Kazakhstan and continue to Aksu-Dzhabagly Nature Reserve. |
| 20 | Walking in Aksu-Dzhabagly and travel to Taraz City. Aishabibi Mausoleum and Babashi-Khatum Mausoleum. |
| 21-22 | Drive to Almaty. Visit History Museum, Zenkov Cathedral and Green Bazaar before evening train to Urumqi. |
| 23 | Aboard the train to Urumqi. |
| 24-26 | Visit National Museum and Heavenly Lake. Depart by train to Xian. |
| 27-28 | Free time to explore Xian. Terracotta Warriors. Depart in evening for overnight train to Beijing. |
| 29-31 | Arrive Beijing. Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall. |
Trip Highlights
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UNESCO World Heritage-listed 5th Century BC Samarkand - the crossroads of cultures, religions, peoples and languages
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UNESCO World Heritage-listed Red Square and the multi-coloured onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral
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Central Asia’s holiest city - UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bukhara
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Chorsu Bazaar of Tashkent - one of the largest and oldest farmers' markets in Central Asia
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At A Glance
Trip Length |
31 days |
Trip Code |
PCSB |
Activities |
|
| Culture (Remote), Walking (Moderate) | |
Countries Visited |
|
| China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan | |
Start City |
|
| St Petersburg, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia | |
End City |
|
| Beijing | |
