The Siberian Overland Route from Peking to Petersburg, Through the Deserts and Steppes of Mongolia, Tartary, &c.

by Alexander Michie

"The Siberian Overland Route from Peking to Petersburg" by Alexander Michie is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. This work presents a firsthand narrative of the author's journey from China to Russia through Mongolia and Siberia, detailing the landscapes, cultures, and experiences encountered along the way. The book aims to shed light on a route that had been largely unexplored and, as suggested in the preface, aims to provide new insights into the regions traversed. The opening of the book introduces Michie's motivation for embarking on this journey, inspired by previous travelers and the desire to experience the mysteries of less-known regions. He contrasts the difficulties and discomforts of the journey by sea with the allure of the northern route through challenging climates and unfamiliar landscapes. Michie describes the societal changes occurring in China at the time, particularly concerning foreign access and the restrictions imposed by the local government, while setting the stage for his travel experiences that follow. The narrative is filled with observations on the geography, local customs, and the dynamics of foreign and native interactions, effectively drawing the reader into the journey's historical context.