Riding the Trans-Mongolian Railway, one of the world’s most epic train journeys

The Trans-Mongolian Railway stretches 2,215 kilometers ( 1,376 miles ) from Russia to China 's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region .

It was completed in 1956 after nearly two decades of construction across some of the planet’s most scenic but arduous landscapes.

The regular service between Ulaanbaatar and the twin towns of Zamiin-Uud/Erenhot on the Mongolia - China border is worth experiencing.

A roundtrip journey on the Trans-Mongolian between Ulaanbaatar and Zamiin-Uud makes for an easy and interesting two-day trip.

Intrepid Travel recently announced a new 11-day “ Trans-Mongsolian Railway Adventure ” that combines road and rail travel.

Several small hotels cater to overnight visitors.

Zamiin-Uud punctuates the southern end of the Trans-Mongolian with an elegant train station tower that appears to be modeled after St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice .

Khamar Monastery with its towering stupa was founded in the early 19th century by a scholar monk dubbed the “Terrible Noble Saint of the Gobi ” Most of the structures date from the restoration of Mongolian Buddhism following the collapse of the communist regime.