As good nomads, sometimes we do not care much about the destination we are going to, nor is it the way we want to go to reach the destination. That is traveling, enjoying both the route and the place you arrive.
During this process, you can observe, experience and understand many cultures about the country you traveled through. The train is one of the modes of transportation that specifically allows you to do so.
Asian train travel is unforgettable. Almost boring, thanks to the many entertainment activities you can find in it, although sometimes endless.
Today, we bring you a selection of the best train routes you can take in Asia:
1. The train route par excellence: The Trans-Siberian and the Trans-Mongolian
The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest in the world because it traverses almost all of North Asia, from Moscow to the East China Sea* (or the Sea of Japan). The route is more than 9,200 kilometers. It ends in Vladivostok, Russia (Vladivostok). This takes 6 days and 4 hours, although most travelers need at least 10 days. It is very difficult to complete the entire journey in one go, it makes no sense if you want to visit the area you have experienced.
After arriving in Vladivostok, some passengers continued to travel to Japan, while others continued to travel to Beijing by train. Trans-Mongolia route It is part of the Trans-Siberian route, but unlike this, it does not end in Vladivostok, but enters Mongolia and reaches its capital Ulan Bator (Ulan Bator) ) And ended in Jining, China. From there you can take a train to other destinations in China.
2. The fastest train in the world: the Shanghai Maglev
At present, this type of magnetic levitation train is the fastest service train in the world, with a route speed of 431 km/h. In addition, the train also showed that it can reach 501 km/h, breaking China’s speed record. The total length is about 30 minutes, connecting Pudong International Airport and Shanghai city center. The fare is 50 yuan, about 5 euros. Learn more about events in Shanghai.
3. The death railway: from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok (Thailand)
The name of this route comes from the thousands of prisoners of war who died in the Second World War under the command of Japan to build this railway line. The road runs through the jungle, through the large rocks that the prisoners cut by hand, and some impressive bridges, such as the River Kwai Bridge. Learn more about Thailand.
4. The highest altitude train in the world: The road to Tibet
On the train from Golmud (Qinghai Province, China) to Lhasa (the capital of Tibet), you may need to use one of the oxygen masks provided in the car. This is because, in addition to the length of 1142 kilometers, the average altitude of this railway also exceeds 4,000 m. Most routes reach 5027 m. When crossing the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during peak hours, the scenery on the way is very spectacular.
However, there are many controversies in the construction process, because many Tibetans regard it as another tool for China to colonize Tibet. To take this journey, you need a special permit, called the Tibet Travel Permit (TTB), which can be obtained through some travel agencies, although if you are a foreigner, sometimes you cannot go at all during certain seasons.
5. The experience of going by train in India
Almost any train trip in India is an adventure. There are short trips, and other long trips may last more than two days. I spent 42 hours from Chennai to Varansi and it was really a good experience. I went to bed but there was no air conditioning. I slept in front of some older Indians. Although they did not speak English, I shared enough meals with them and learned to communicate.
The most attractive thing about trains in India is the scenery, conversations with Indians, and the many services provided on the train, which are somewhat surreal. A particularly spectacular route is a route called “toy train”, which runs from Kalka through the mountains to Shimla.
6. The fastest trains in Japan: The Shinkansen network
Shinkansen is the name of Japan’s high-speed rail network, bullet train. The network is over 2300 kilometers. Line, the maximum speed is between 240 and 300 km/h.
7. Golden Chariot Train – South India Luxury Train
The only luxury train “Golden Chariot” that traverses the south of the country has also won the title of “Asia’s Leading Luxury Train” (2013).
It has 44 air-conditioned suites and 11 lounges, inspired by the Horsala dynasty and its temple buildings, from bedrooms to restaurants and lounges, in addition to spas or gyms, there are purple and gold tones that blend traditional and More advanced facilities.
Check out train info :
Luxury Journey 