Taking the Train from China to Switzerland (or How to Avoid Jet-Lag) Part I

Beijing and Zurich are connected by a vast Railroad System that stretches over 7 countries and a rail distance of around 8000km. I decided to take this route to get back to Switzerland after spending some time in China. I want to share some impressions with you guys and give some recognition to means of transportation other than flying. So read on if you're fed up with taking airplanes and are up for a more grounded travelling experience.

***DISCLAIMERS***
I know nothing: tried to only include facts i checked but please call me out on any bullshit
Sorry for potato quality: i travel light and without big camera so i have to take picture with my toaster
Sorry for bad English: it's not my mother tongue so sorry for any mistakes

The first train, that will bring me from Beijing to Mongolia, is almost empty; I’m one of 30 passengers. The train could hold ten times more people. Trans Siberian (or in my case Trans Mongolian) is not an unpopular train route but not many people travel westbound and even less during winter.

I share an entire car only with a conductor and can spread my luggage over the four beds that are in every compartment. Looking forward to some quiet time after Beijing's busy streets.

Warm water and heating is provided by these stoves, installed in every car.

The sun sets in northern China; not much going on up here except some small farms and villages.

Mongolian border in the middle of the night: the entire train including passengers is lifted up and the wheels exchanged to fit the Mongolian railway system.

First morning in Mongolia: the eastern end of the Gobi Dessert is covered with a thin layer of snow. The railroad is flanked by fences which poses an artificial barrier for the wildlife; gazelles, sheep, horses and camels wander about.

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital. almost half of the 3 million Mongols live in this city. Another third of the population still lives nomadic.
Ulaanbaatar suffers under one of the worlds most severe air pollution problems. Coal plants and cars add to the pollution all year around but the problem gets worse during winter as people living in Yurts (traditional tent-like huts) around the capital burn coal and even tires to stay warm.
and staying warm is crucial as the capital's temperature in January averages -25°C.

T, who takes me for a ride out of the city takes of the air mask as we leave the fog behind. He is one of few Christians in Mongolia (2%). Islam (3%), Shamanism (3%) and Buddhism (53%) make up the rest. Religion was...problematic...during the time of socialist Mongolia (1921-1992) hence the relatively large part (39%) of non-religious people.

Off the asphalt road to explore the beautiful countryside, aiming for one of Mongolia's National Parks.

Too much countryside and the car gets stuck.

T and I leave the car behind, looking for alternatives. There are hardly any roads out here and tracks are soon covered by snow as the wind blows hard and constantly.

No road found but a Russian traktor should do the trick.
Edit: The guys from the national park gave us a ride on their bus (shown above) through the park and helped us retrieving our car later on.

Wild horses scared off by us plowing through the snow.

We made it back to one off the asphalt roads that connects each of the 21 province centres with the capital. This road network was completed only a few years ago and allows people to travel more freely in one of the most sparsely populated countries.

Back in Ulaanbaatar under a rare blue sky. I buy some meat and bread from the back of a truck next to the entrance of a Buddhist monastery...Have to catch my train to Siberia and leave this cold but beautiful country maybe a bit too soon.

Thanks for having a look and I'll be back to check in if you liked this after I arrive at my next destination.
Stay warm y'all!

Edit: Wow! Guys, thanks for bringing this to the FP and for the great feedback! I'll make sure to keep you updated on my trip!

If you liked this, check out the other posts on this trip:
Part II: https://imgur.com/a/hAc0S
Part III: https://imgur.com/a/8Z3t5
Part IV: https://imgur.com/a/WloLi