Paul Theroux left Victoria Station in April thinking that taking eight trains across Europe, Eastern Europe, the USSR and Mongolia would be the easy way to get to the Chinese border. The reality, of course, was very different. In fact, Theroux experienced a decidedly odd and unexpected trip to China...

Paul Theroux left Victoria Station in April thinking that taking eight trains across Europe, Eastern Europe, the USSR and Mongolia would be the easy way to get to the Chinese border. The reality, of course, was very different. In fact, Theroux experienced a decidedly odd and unexpected trip to China that set the challenging tone for his journey.