History of the Beijing to Moscow Train Route

The Trans-Manchurian Railroad has a long and interesting history. Although once it was the key to solving transport and defensive problems in Eastern Russia, it now serves both practical and touristic purposes. Because the isolated and rural east lay so far from the seat of power in western Russia and needed rail connections, today travelers can leave from Beijing and reach the great metropolises of the west by rail in six days. Stopping overnight to see interesting cities and sights along the way makes for a great Asian and European mixed-cultural trip.

The task of connecting Moscow with the southeastern city of Vladivostok via railroad was underway at the end of the 19^th century. The Russian Empire sought to empower and defend the isolated east as growing nearby Asian powers threatened this area. As the final eastern-most portion of the tracks became the next to be constructed, the Minister of Finance, Sergei Witte, proposed a shortcut through Chinese Manchuria. To save 550 kms-worth of track that wound around northeastern China, it would branch southward at the Russian city of Chita. In doing so, it would incorporate Chinese Beijing and Port Arthur (today part of the city of Dalian). This proposal for a shortcut on the line from Beijing to Moscow, was accepted and would be known as the “Chinese-Eastern Railway.” It was constructed between 1897 and 1903.

The harsh and unforgiving terrain of Eastern Russian and China complicated matters. Worse yet, the already constructed tracks stopped at the enormous Lake Baikal, where supplies had to be transported by boat. By volume, Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world.

Because of complications with the lake, the city of Harbin became the center of construction. Harbin enjoyed a construction-related boom. European influences in construction make for an interesting Eur-Asian mix of cultures in Harbin. The railroad also stimulated underdeveloped Manchuria economically and attracted new inhabitants. In seven years, the population doubled to 16 million people. Several Chinese cities began surpassing Russia’s far eastern towns in terms of population.

The railroad opened in 1903. Eventually, three branches of the Chinese-Eastern Railway ended up with Harbin as a connection point. The southern arm went to Port Arthur and Beijing. The eastern branch reached Vladivostok. Chita was the end of the western branch. A trip on the fastest train from Port Arthur to Moscow cost between 64 roubles and 272 roubles, depending on the class of ticket and lasted over thirteen days. Today, only the western and southern branches are served by the Trans-Manchurian, so one can travel from Beijing to Moscow by train or from Port Arthur to Moscow.

This international railway became problematic in the twentieth century. In the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Japan usurped the greater part of the southern tracks. In 1924, Soviet Russia gave up imperial claims in China. This included concessions in important places like Harbin. Still, Russia maintained control of the railway. In 1929, the Chinese gained control of the railway and expelled Soviet employees. The 1929 Sino-Soviet conflict was the result.

In 1952, the troubles with the southern branch came to a close. The Soviet Union relinquished control of the Chinese part of the Beijing to Moscow route. After decades of posturing and conflict, this transition indicated improved relations between the two communist powers.

Presently, in English, the route from Beijing to Moscow and the reverse are most often called the Trans-Manchurian Railway. Although the Trans-Siberian garners more attention, the Trans-Manchurian shouldn’t be undervalued. It passes through steppes and lively Chinese cities like Harbin, Shenyang and Beijing. The route’s duration has also shortened from thirteen days to six.

The Vostok train, meaning “East” in Russian, travels on the Trans-Manchurian route. A few years ago, Vostok trains received a renovation, although they do not rank among Russia’s most modern. They run about once per week from Beijing’s main station and Yaroslavsky Station in Moscow.