Blog | thetripgoeson

Is Xinjiang Safe? A Guide to China’s Troubled Region

Is Xinjiang safe? Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the troubled province in far north-western China is often in the news, but for all the wrong reasons. I have travelled through Xinjiang on many occasions over the past six years on my way between China and home in...

Best Budget Hiking Backpacks – 2021 Guide

In this article we will look at some of the best budget hiking backpacks on the market in 2021. Hiking is by far one of the best ways to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of nature while also engaging in exercise that sharpens your body and mind. Hiking helps to push...

Things to do in Harbin – A Complete Guide

In this guide we will discover some of the top things to do in Harbin, China’s frozen northern city on the border with Siberia. Where is Harbin Harbin Map Harbin is located in China’s far north-eastern Heilongjiang Province (the area is also sometimes referred to as...

How to Buy Train Tickets in China – A Guide

A guide to Buying Train Tickets in China In this article we will discover how to buy train tickets in China. From online to at the station, we will cover everything you need to know to plan and book that perfect train trip in the Middle Kingdom! China has one of the...

Harbin Ice and Snow World – A Complete Guide

About the Harbin Ice and Snow World Harbin Ice and Snow World is part of the larger Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival that runs from late December until March every year in northern China. It houses a collection of famous buildings from around the...

Things to do in Sanya – A Complete Guide

In this guide we will discover some of the top things to do in Sanya, China’s tropical answer to Hawaii! From pristine beaches to lush jungles, Sanya is packed with fun attractions to suit any interest and budget! Check out my Youtube vlog of Sanya for more! Where is...

Guangzhou to Sanya Train – All You Need to Know

Looking to get to Sanya by train? Look no further than this complete guide to the Guangzhou to Sanya train which includes all the information you will need to make this journey. Sanya is one of the hottest destinations in China (literally and metaphorically) and is...

Unit 731 Museum (Harbin, China). A Complete Guide

Below you can read a little about the terrible atrocities committed by the unit, as well as practical information for visiting the Unit 731 Museum in Harbin. What was Unit 731? Unit 731 of the Imperial Japanese Army was a covert chemical and biological research unit...

Backpacking in China (Budget Travel Guide)

The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking in ChinaBackpacking in China can be hugely rewarding for the intrepid traveller and doesn’t have to cost the earth either. Below I will tell you all the tips I have accumulated over five years living and travelling throughout the...

Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour – Journey to the Roof of the World

Introduction to my Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour In January 2020 I realized an almost lifelong dream to see Mount Everest. I had booked onto a Tibet Everest base camp tour for Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). Unlike on the Nepal side, it's possible to drive to...

The Great Baikal Trail – A Guide for Volunteers

The Great Baikal Trail, Russia In 2009 I volunteered on a project to help construct part of the Great Baikal Trail; a series of interconnected hiking trails around the world’s deepest freshwater lake in Siberia, Russia. What is the Great Baikal Trail? The Great Baikal...

Things to do in Montenegro

Top Things to do in Montenegro Introduction Montenegro is one of my favourite countries in the world. This small and relatively new nation has everything for lovers of the outdoors. In this article we will explore some of the best things to do in Montenegro. From the...

Geography Quiz Questions – Have you got what it takes?

If you are bored at home, then why not test your travel knowledge with these fun geography quiz questions. How well do you know famous landmarks, world capitals, flags and country outlines? Play the game and find out! Do you know your Iran from Iraq, your Paraguay...

Things to do in Sighisoara – A Guide

Things to do in Sighisoara Looking for things to do in Sighisoara? Read on and find out all you need to know about this charming Romanian city. Sighisoara is a small city in Transylvania, central Romania. It is a picture-perfect place with brightly coloured houses,...

Travelling in Beijing – Complete City Guide

Travelling in Beijing - An Introduction Travelling in Beijing? Read on and discover all you need to know about this fascinating city! Beijing is the capital city of the People’s Republic of China. Formerly known as Peking, it is one of the most significant...

DMZ Tour and Panmunjom, North Korea

THE DEMILITARIZED ZONE (DMZ TOUR) The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a heavily fortified buffer zone that separates North Korea and South Korea. The 4km wide DMZ stretches 250km (160miles) across the Korean peninsula and was created in 1953 during the armistice after the...

Best VPN for China (A Complete Guide)

Having lived in China for over six years, I have needed a VPN to keep in contact with people via social media, read the news back home and do research for this blog. I have used many different VPNs over the years and have finally settled on one which suits my needs....

Geography Trivia Questions – Can you get them all right?

Test your knowledge with this fun geography quiz!

Aralsk, Kazakhstan & the Death of a Town

Aralsk (Aral), Kazakhstan Aralsk, or Aral as it is also known, is a small town in western Kazakhstan. It was a once-thriving fishing port that is now a dusty, desert outpost miles from the shrunken Aral Sea. The town is in a sad state with the only thing lapping at...

Helsinki to Tallinn Ferry (All You Need to Know)

How long does the Helsinki to Tallinn ferry take? The fastest crossing is two hours. How many ferries are there per day from Helsinki to Tallinn? There are over ten sailings per day. How much does the Helsinki to Tallinn ferry cost? Prices start from as little as €15...

Shymbulak Mountain Resort, Kazakhstan

When people think of Central Asia, Kazakhstan and the Silk Road, skiing isn’t usually the first thing that springs to mind. However, Almaty in southern Kazakhstan is home to Shymbulak Mountain Resort; one of the only two places you can hit the slopes in Central Asia....

BunkArt 2 Museum & Gallery, Tirana, Albania

In this article we will discover Albania’s BunkArt 2 museum and gallery located in the heart of Tirana. For those interested in “Dark Tourism” or brutalist communist architecture, Tirana and Albania generally are a top destination. The country is dotted with bunkers...

Things to do in Baku, Azerbaijan

TOP THINGS TO DO IN BAKUAbout Baku Baku, also known as the city of winds, is the capital city of the Republic of Azerbaijan; a small but wealthy country in the south Caucasus region and a stop on the old Silk Road. The city of Baku lies at the bottom of the Absheron...

Living in China under the Coronavirus

What its like to experience the coronavirus outbreak in China Want to know what it's like living in China during the novel corona virus outbreak? Below I will recount my time travelling across the country during Chinese New Year and arriving in my deserted city of...

Xining to Lhasa Train (All You Need to Know)

What is the maximum altitude of the Xining to Lhasa train? The train reaches a height of 16,640 feet (5,069 metres). How long does the Xining to Lhasa train take? The journey takes between 20 and 22 hours. How much does the Xining to Lhasa train cost? Fares range from...

Pictures of Tibet – A Journey in 55 Images

Pictures of Tibet takes you on a journey through this enchanted land through a series of images taken on a recent trip to the "Roof of the World". Bright blue skies and thin air, towering mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, yaks, monasteries and monks. These are some of...

Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

Discover where the British government would have fled to in the event of a nuclear strike!

Hong Kong Itinerary (what to do in 1 to 4 days)

The perfect Hong Kong Itinerary for 1 to 4 DaysIn this Hong Kong itinerary we will discover that there is so much more to this famous city than just skyscrapers, world-class cuisine and shopping. For example, did you know that the territory of Hong Kong is made up of...

The Yakushima Ferry & How to get to Yakushima

How to Get to Yakushima There are three Yakushima Ferry services which all leave different ports in Kagoshima. The Tane Yaku (Rocket or Toppy) Jetfoil is the fastest at around 2 hours, but also the most expensive. There is a daily car ferry which takes around 4 hours...

Beijing to Xian Train (with schedule & costs)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Beijing to Xian Train How long does it take to go from Beijing to Xian by Train? It takes 4 to 6 hours to go from Beijing to Xian by bullet train or 11 to 15 hours by sleeper train. What time is the first Beijing to Xian Train? The...

Is Kazakhstan Safe? A Guide

Information about safety in Kazakhstan.

Central Asia Travel – Meet “the Stans”

All you need to know about a trip to Central Asia.

Angthong Marine Park, Thailand – How to Visit

Angthong Marine Park, Surat Thani, Thailand Angthong Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands which are home to a series of bays, pristine beaches, lagoons and caves in the Gulf of Thailand. It is easily reachable from the tourist islands of Ko Samui and Ko Pha...

Things to do in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Discover Samarkand; the jewel of Central Asia!

Termiz, Uzbekistan – Things to See

About Termiz (also known as Termez) Termiz in Uzbekistan has been a settlement for at least 2,500 years and has been conquered by Alexander the Great, the Chinese, Arabs, Genghis Khan and the Russians. Termiz has been a significant centre for Buddhism and Islam as...

Sneaking around the Afghanistan Border

Termiz, Uzbekistan (and how I snuck down to the Afghanistan border) Here I will recount my trip from Samarkand in Uzbekistan to the Afghanistan border in Central Asia. Uzbekistan Take I I first visited Uzbekistan in 2017 after crossing the border from nearby...

Konye Urgench Ruins, Turkmenistan

Konye Urgench – A Lost City The UNESCO world heritage site of Konye Urgench in Turkmenistan was once the capital of the Khorezm Empire and the centre of the Islamic world until its sacking by Genghis Khan and Tamerlane in the 13th and 14th centuries. The town’s water...

Yerbent Desert Village, Turkmenistan

The oasis village of Yerbent in Turkmenistan.

Beautiful Places in China

Here we will take a look at some of the most beautiful places in China. With such varied and vast landscapes, the Middle Kingdom is home to some of the most unique and picturesque places in the world. 10 of the Most Beautiful Places in China Cuihua Mountain Geopark,...

Kazakhstan Tourism – A Comprehensive Guide

Everything you need to know about visiting Kazakhstan.

Things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Things to do in and around Almaty, Kazakhstan. From hiking and skiing in the nearby mountains to food and shopping, Almaty offers it all!

Medeu Ice Rink, Kazakhstan

The ice skating rink at Medeu in Kazakhstan is the highest in the world (1,691 metres).

Karlag Gulag Museum, Karaganda, Kazakhstan

About Karlag KarLag, or the Karaganda Corrective Labour Camp to give it its nefarious full title, was one of the largest gulags in the USSR. It was established in 1931 and operated until 1959, 6 years after Stalin’s death. Over 1,000,000 inmates passed through the...

Kok Tobe Travel Guide

Frequently Asked Questions What is Kok Tobe? Kok Tobe is a mountain featuring an amusement park in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Where is Kok Tobe? It is located to the west of Almaty City in Kazakhstan, Central Asia. How high is Kok Tobe? The mountain sits at 1,100 metres...

How to travel from Almaty to Urumqi by Bus

Central Asia to China How to travel from Almaty in Kazakhstan to Urumqi in China without flying. How often is there a bus from Almaty to Urumqi? Buses go from Almaty to Urumqi every day at 07:00am. How much does a bus ticket cost from Almaty to Urumqi? A ticket for...

How to get from Almaty to Tashkent

How to get from Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) There are two ways to get from Almaty to Tashkent in Central Asia. Almaty to Tashkent By Air The easiest way to travel from Almaty in Kazakhstan to Tashkent in Uzbekistan is to fly. Journey time is only 1...

Big Almaty Lake, Hiking Kazakhstan

Big Almaty Lake in Kazakhstan.

Rainbow Mountains China (Zhangye Danxia)

Rainbow Mountains China The Zhangye Danxia Geological Park (rainbow mountains China) is home to a collection of colourful peaks which were formed over thousands of years due to the movement of tectonic plates. The Zhangye mountains comprise striped layers of different...

Beijing to Ulaanbaatar Train (plus money saving tip)

How to travel from Beijing in China to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia

An Interview with the Man in Seat 61

An interview with The Man in Seat 61 aka Mark Smith.

London to Baghdad by Car – Travelling to Iraq

My grandfathers’s journey driving from London to Baghdad.

Roads Less Traveled – My Grandfather’s Journeys

Foreword My grandfather has been an inspiration to me on many levels and as our stories are inextricably linked, I thought it time to honour him and publish part of his incredible story. In this first part, he describes his modest upbringing in Ayrshire, Scotland and...

How to Visit Chernobyl – A Guide to the Zone!

How to visit Chernobyl? What's it like to visit the site of the world's worst nuclear accident? Read on and find out how to visit Chernobyl, what to see and do, and what not to see and do! In the early hours of April 26th 1986 during a late night safety test, the...

Yakushima Island – A Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about visiting the magical island of Yakushima, Japan.

How to Visit Dunhuang on the Chinese Silk Road

The Silk Road settlement of Dunhuang in China’s western Gansu Province is a magical oasis in the Gobi Desert.

Kaeng Krachan National Park Thailand, How to Go

In this account of my visit to Kaeng Krachan National Park in the Thai Jungle, I will explain how you can visit this National Park on the border of Thailand and Burma/Myanmar. Covering almost 3000km/2, Kaeng Krachen is the largest national park in Thailand. Why visit...

Hidden Gems in Europe – Amazing Places!

What are some of the best hidden gems in Europe? Forget Paris, London or Rome and head instead to some of the best hidden gems in Europe. These places offer everything from modern cities with world-class cuisine to hiking far from the rest of civilization and...