Middle East: How a Former Beijing Bureau Chief Found Himself on a Bullet Train in Saudi Arabia
There was a certain dissonance in the fact that the ruling Communist Party of China, officially atheist, was helping build a railway connecting Medina and Mecca – the holiest sites in Islam. [nytimes.com]
Europe: Ukraine’s Night Train to the Front Lines
The Soviet-era carriages decorated in the blue and yellow hues of the Ukrainian flag have seen better days. But as the passengers prepare to embark, the smartly uniformed staff takes great pride in the train. [voanews.com]
Asia: This train station in Japan is solely to see the views and the only way to get there is by train
The Seiryu Miharashi Eki Station, which translates to Clear Stream Viewing Platform, is a station made solely for the purpose of seeing the scenery. The only way to get there is – you guessed it – by train. [metro.co.uk]
USA: The Particular Sheen Of America By Amtrak
Tell your fellow Americans that you plan to cross the United States by train, and their reactions will range from amusement to naked horror that they have become acquainted with a person who would plan to cross the USA by train. [nytimes.com]
Asia: South Korea’s high-speed train that’s engineered to reach 305kmh
Seoul’s modern station is more like an airport than anything; a fittingly futuristic prelude for a trip to Busan aboard a KTX 121, South Korea’s high-speed train that’s engineered to reach 305kmh. [stuff.co.nz]
Asia: Thailand’s slow train to history
A new eco-cultural tour takes day-trippers from Bangkok back in time to the unspoilt town of Phetchaburi. [elevenmyanmar.com]
