| This week, we look at the stops along the Trans | | | | tour will next call at the aforementioned lake by taking |
| Siberian railway between Ulan Ude and Novosibirsk | | | | you around it. Lake Baikal is the deepest and oldest |
| after we looked at the journey from Beijing to Ulan | | | | lake in the world and carries a significant proportion of |
| Bator last time. | | | | the world's fresh water supply. |
| Ulan Ude is the first stop on this leg of the tour and | | | | Its natural beauty is astounding, thanks to the |
| marks the train's entry into Russia. The city, which is | | | | mountains and forests that surround it, and you may |
| the capital of the republic of Buryatia, is heavily | | | | have the opportunity to stop and picnic by the lake and |
| influenced by both Asian and Russian culture, giving it a | | | | take in the nearby villages. |
| distinct appeal. | | | | Back on the train, your next port of call will be Irkutsk, |
| One of the main attractions of Ulan Ude is the | | | | which is another popular destination for accessing |
| Ivolginsky Datsan temple, which is the main focal point | | | | Lake Baikal among tourists. Its highlights include its |
| of Buddhism in Russia. It is home to the body of the | | | | quaint architecture and a wealth of museums |
| 12th Pandito Hambo Lama, Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov, which | | | | explaining the rich history of the city, which is one of |
| is mysteriously still in the same condition as when it | | | | the oldest in the Siberian region. |
| was buried in the 1920s, despite never being | | | | The next day will see you stop in Novosibirsk, the |
| mummified or embalmed. | | | | capital of Siberia and the third biggest Russian city |
| The temple also offers some striking examples of | | | | after Moscow and St Petersburg. You will not want to |
| Buryat art. Another popular part of Ulan Ude is where | | | | miss the sights of the Red Avenue, Lenin Square and |
| it offers access to Lake Baikal, giving an easier | | | | the Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral, nor neglect the |
| approach compared with the hills on the other side of | | | | opportunity to take its numerous museums, theatres |
| the lake. | | | | and art galleries. |
| Moving on from Ulan Ude, your Trans Siberian railway | | | | |