The Eurasian Gradient

At school, we have been taught that the boundary between Europe and Asia runs along the Ural Mountains for the most part. Many years later, during my two journeys (in 2018 & 2019) from Moscow to Beijing on board the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian Railway trains, I have witnessed that the said border isn't that obvious. And where would you draw the line, if you dare?

A densely wired residential block in the capital's Maryina Roshcha District. Moscow, Russia (2018)

A Russian Orthodox priest walks a passage in the background of the Kremlin and MIBC skyscrapers. Moscow, Russia (2018)

A group of cadets in Alexander Gardens prepare for a military parade. Moscow, Russia (2018)

A sign at the halt visible outside the train marks 2433 kilometres from Moscow. Ishim, Russia (2018)

Information boards, an orthodox shrine, and the memorial board of local heroes of the Great Patriotic War in the hall of Ilanskaya Railway Station. Ilansky, Russia (2018)

Rural landscape smudges behind the window of the Trans-Siberian train. Central Siberia, Russia (2018)

A wooden storehouse and a circus tent Olkhon Island's largest settlement, Khuzhir, Russia (2019)

Village dogs walk by the Shaman Rock, a sacred site of Buryats and one of the symbols of Baikal Lake. Khuzhir, Russia (2018)

Cows wander the dirt roads of Khuzhir village, Russia (2018)

The main road of Olkhon, Baikal Lake's largest island, linking the ferry terminal with Khuzhir village, Russia (2018)

A Russian Buddhist monk walks past the wooden houses of Ivolginsky Datsan, the largest Buddhism centre in Russia (2018)

Words of the Sanskrit mantra 'Om mani padme hum' written in the Russian alphabet on a hill over Ivolginsk, Russia (2018)

A golden stupa of Rinpoche Bagsha Datsan overlooking the capital city of the Republic of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude, Russia (2018)

A yurt of a camel keepers' camp on the steppe by Mongol Els dunes near Khogno Khan mountains. Mongolia (2018)

A cow grazes under the walls of the ancient Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery. Karakorum, Mongolia (2018)

The East Gate and the stupas of Erdene Zuu Monastery walls. Karakorum, Mongolia (2019)

Tsam ceremony dancer's costume with a yellow symbol of the vajra (ritual weapon) on its back. Karakorum, Mongolia (2019)

Young jockeys dash to the finish of the 30 km horse race during the Naadam Festival. Khui Doloon Khudag, Mongolia (2019)

Children play by a sprinkler truck at the Naadam Festival. Khui Doloon Khudag, Mongolia (2019)

A man rides a three-wheeler motorcycle through a narrow hutong (alley) in Dashilan Subdistrict. Beijing, China (2019)

Tiananmen Square filled with tourists supervised by police officers. Beijing, China (2019)

A sentry at the post in front of Mao Zedong's portrait at Tiananmen Gate leading to the Forbidden City. Beijing, China (2019)

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