The Far East, despite its considerable remoteness, is an excellent option for a holiday. Among the many cities, Vladivostok occupies a special place, where the atmosphere of a modern city is surprisingly combined with the opportunity to relax at sea. We will talk about attractions, entertainment and resort places, as well as some prices for holidays in Vladivostok in 2019 in this article.
The history of the city dates back to 1860, when a military post was founded here. The post received the name “Vladivostok” immediately, and it remains unchanged to this day. With the passage of time, the status of the settlement only changed. From the post, after 20 years, Vladivostok became a city, and after another 8 years it received the status of the administrative center of the Primorsky region. In 1938, the city became the capital of the Primorsky Territory.
The population of the city is slightly more than 600 thousand people.
The name of the city is made up of two compound words “to own” and “East”.
The territory of Vladivostok has a length of 30 km from south to north and 10 from west to east, washed by the waters of two bays: Amur and Ussuri, which are part of the Peter the Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan.
The city is separated from the capital of Russia by almost 7000 km, the time difference is 7 hours.
Vladivostok on the map:
The weather in the city and its surroundings is dictated by a moderate monsoon climate, which is characterized by a clear seasonal change.
Winter lasts from November to March. At this time, the city is frosty, dry and clear. Heavy snowfalls are common in the first half of the season
In spring, Vladivostok is not very comfortable - frequent rains, fog. Cool and humid.
Summer in Vladivostok can be roughly divided into calendar and climatic. The calendar consists of two halves, differing in weather conditions. At the beginning of the season it is cloudy, cool and rainy. But the second part is characterized by warm weather with light winds.
It is worth knowing that even in the second half of summer there can be typhoons and heavy downpours. On such days, the humidity rises and the wind noticeably increases; gusts can reach 30 m/s, with the usual 5-6 m/s.
The climatic summer occurs from the end of June to the end of September.
The best time for a seaside holiday in Vladivostok is August and September. Temperature (average daily) in August is 20 degrees.
As for autumn, in Vladivostok it flows softly and quickly. The first frosts occur already in November.
How to get there
Vladivostok has decent transport accessibility. It is connected to the central part of the country by air, railway and even a highway. The choice of route depends only on the cost, duration of the journey and the desires of the traveler.
From airport
Vladivostok International Airport is located at a considerable distance from the administrative center (more than 40 km) and is located 5 km from the center of the neighboring town of Artem.
Inside Knevichi airport There are several ways to get to Vladivostok:
- Bus. This could be route No. 107, departing directly from the Airport. Another option is to get to the bus station in the city of Artem (route No. 7), and from there take any intercity bus to or through Vladivostok.
Bus No. 107 starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m., interval is 20-60 minutes.
- Electric train. There are 5 flights per day. The first one is at 7:45, the last one is at 17:40. The journey will take just under an hour.
- Taxi. At the airport there is a taxi order counter from the Primavtoline company; you can find it at the exit from the domestic airlines terminal. In addition to this service, private cab drivers meet guests on the street, or you can order a car by phone using one of the taxi office numbers. The last option is the most profitable.
"Vladivostok-2000". Now this is not only a line from Ilya Lagutenko’s chorus, but also a bill known throughout the country. By the way, the bridge depicted on the banknote became the hallmark of the city almost as soon as it was built. After that, several more large objects were added to the list of top places in Vladivostok - the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) and the Primorsky Oceanarium.
Spending a weekend in Vladivostok will be interesting for residents of Khabarovsk, Ussuriysk, Nakhodka and other nearby cities, the journey from which will not take much time.
The approximate travel budget for one person is from 4,050 rubles*.
- Return train tickets (from Khabarovsk) *. You can fly from Moscow to Vladivostok every day. Prices start * one way. The flight lasts from 8 hours.
- 1 night in a hostel - * or in a 3* hotel - *;
- The average bill in a cafe is 400 rubles;
- Walks around the city, travel on public transport, souvenirs - 1000 rubles.
FEFU embankment on Russian Island
Entrance to the campus was opened to all citizens in the summer of 2014. Since then, at any time of the year, every weekend, the FEFU embankment resembles Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg: there is beauty all around and many tourists. And from July to September, when the water temperature in Ajax Bay rises to 20-25 degrees, local residents fill the entire beach area, just over one kilometer long.
The entire campus area is 800,000 square meters. These include educational buildings, exhibition complexes, and a walking area, which will be the most interesting for tourists. Since in Vladivostok there are no longer well-groomed massive parks with trees, ponds and a waterfall, it is worth going for a walk to Russian Island.
You can get here only via a modern cable-stayed bridge - the second highest in the world (324 meters).
Where is it: Russky Island, Ajax stop
Entrance to the territory: free
Primorsky Oceanarium
Photo: Ovchinnikova Irina / Shutterstock.com
Russian Island is an integral part of Vladivostok, with its own attractions around every turn. For example, the Primorsky Oceanarium with 500 species of marine species and river inhabitants. And also - a show with Misha the walrus, dolphins, sea lions, fur seals and white whales.
The scientific and educational complex is divided into three exhibitions: the zone of the prehistoric period, the polar world and tropical forests. In addition to aquariums with fish, there are interactive areas and touch screens with information about a particular species, the animal’s habitat, etc. Excursions are organized for all visitors. By the way, if the ticket price seems high, you can take a walk in the open area of the aquarium for free. Free admission.
Where is it: Russky Island, Academician Kasyanov Street, 25
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9:30-18:30, Monday - closed**
Ticket price: on weekdays - 700 rubles, on weekends and holidays - 900 rubles
Website: primocean.ru
Viewpoint "Eagle's Nest"
Photo: Shutterstock.com
There is no need to talk long about the bridge across the Golden Horn Bay: just seeing it once is enough. The best view is from a bird's eye view at the Eagle's Nest observation deck (the monument to Cyril and Methodius is also located there). The bridge is especially beautiful at night, thanks to the illumination and headlights of passing cars.
Recently, the viewing platform has become famous for its graffiti: on one of the walls of a nearby building, a giant Far Eastern leopard is painted - the symbol and pride of the Primorsky Territory.
The image of the rarest big cat on the planet was created by South African graffiti artist Sonny as part of a worldwide campaign to protect endangered animals. Vladivostok became the first city in Russia where such work appeared.
Where is it located: above the viaduct from the upper funicular station or above the Funicular bus stop
Svetlanskaya and Pushkinskaya
Moscow for tourists begins from Red Square, and Vladivostok - from Svetlanskaya, the first and main street of the city. Here: shopping centers, cafes, hostels, museums, cinemas, GUM and much more. It is on Svetlanskaya that there are many old houses of the late 19th - early 20th centuries.
Business and residential buildings from past centuries can also be found on Pushkinskaya Street. Of particular interest are mansions in the Gothic style, buildings similar to knights' castles, and facades with patterned metal grilles, reminiscent of the era of “romantic modernism.”
Where is it: the starting point from Svetlanskaya to Pushkinskaya - the Ocean cinema or the Ussuri cinema
Funicular
Photo: Bayurov Alexander / Shutterstock.com
The funicular is a unique type of public transport. This type of rail tram operates only in Sochi and Vladivostok (not to be confused with cable cars, which are sometimes also called funiculars).
The Primorsky funicular is just two cable-driven carriages that run up and down the slope of the Orlina hill, connecting Pushkinskaya and Sukhanov streets. The length of the route is 183 meters, which is 1.5 minutes on the way. Not long, cheap and effective.
Address: lower funicular station on the street. Pushkinskaya, 29
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 07:00-20:00, Sun 07:30-20:00**
Fare: 12 rubles
Old courtyard of GUM
Photo: Ovchinnikova Irina / Shutterstock.com
It is always crowded, noisy and European-cosy: there is music playing, there are many coffee shops, workshops, a hairdresser, and there are several places with street art for selfies or full-fledged photo sessions.
The courtyard is located inside the old GUM building. The department store began its history back in 1884, when Vladivostok was only 24 years old.
GUM address: Svetlanskaya street, 35
Sports embankment
Photo: Sergey Berg
Another place where you can feel the spirit of the city and have a great time. This place received this name thanks to the Dynamo stadium, built here in the 50s of the last century.
There are many cafes along the embankment, and there is a children's park with rides and a Ferris wheel. In warm weather, here you can lie on the beach (swimming is prohibited), order your portrait from a street artist, ride a Ferris wheel, rent a bicycle or Segway.
One of the attractions of the embankment is the Vladivostok Fortress Museum. The protective structure was built back in the 19th century. Now, in addition to the stone walls, there are many examples of weapons from different times on display here. From the museum grounds there is an excellent view of the Sports Embankment and the Amur Bay.
Where is it located: next to the city’s Central Square
Korabelnaya embankment
Photo: saiko3p / Shutterstock.com
Korabelnaya Embankment is located in the very center of Vladivostok on the shore of Zolotoy Rog Bay.
Here they see off and greet sailors, and at noon the cannon roars. This is where the history of the city begins: it was on the northern shore of the bay that, by order of Governor General Nikolai Muravyov-Amursky, the military post of Vladivostok was founded in the summer of 1860, which 20 years later received the status of a city.
From Korabelnaya Embankment there is a road to the young Tsesarevich Embankment, built not far from the supports of the Golden Bridge in 2012. Parents with children, cyclists and rollerbladers especially like to come here.
Where is it located: down 30 meters from the Tsarevich Arch or the city museum to Peter the Great Street, 6
The main building of the museum named after. V. K. Arsenyeva
Photo: vk.com/arsenievstatemuseum
The Vladimir Klavdievich Arsenyev Museum in Vladivostok operates under the motto: “Man. Space. Time". This is the first local history museum in the Far East since 1884. The halls have been expanding their collections for 130 years with the participation of Far Eastern researchers, patrons and donors. Today, the complete collection consists of more than 400,000 originals. For example, the history of the city during the Civil War is stored here - in the form of photographs, notes and uniforms; artifacts of the Bohai era found in Primorye; letters from Mrs. Eleanor Prey from Vladivostok to America and much more.
The main building of the museum on Svetlanskaya is equipped for blind and hard of hearing visitors; master classes and classes for schoolchildren are held here. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions on three floors.
Address: Svetlanskaya street, 20
Opening hours: daily 10:00-19:00**
Ticket prices must be confirmed with the administrator
Website: arseniev.org
Tokarevsky Mayak
Photo: Alexander Khitrov / Shutterstock.com
A port city is unthinkable without a lighthouse; it is located on the Egerschöld cape. The Tokarevskaya Cat lighthouse has been helping ships in Peter the Great Bay since 1910.
The tower stands on the tip of Tokarevsky's cat. Koshka is a narrow rocky spit about 750 meters long. Now it is artificially raised and looks like a dam. The depths in the immediate vicinity of the cat are shallow, and tidal currents are fast, this greatly complicates the passage of ships between the cat and Cape Bezymyanny in the Eastern Bosphorus Strait. The lighthouse shows where the cat ends. The range of the lighthouse light is 12 miles.
By the way, next to the lighthouse, depending on the time of year, either townspeople or spotted seals swim in the sea. The water here is quite clean.
Where is it: Mayak final stop, further along the main road 1.5 kilometers towards the sea (on the map)
Safari Park
Photo: Frida Bredesen / Unsplash.com
Tourists from all over the world come to Primorsky Safari Park. Including journalists from the National Geographic Channel for filming the next episodes of the program. There are practically no cages in the park; animals move freely around the territory. This is about 300 birds and animals on 9 hectares.
The Safari Park gained particular popularity and “likes” on social networks when the story of the friendship between the tiger Amur and the goat Timur thundered throughout the country.
Where is it located: 39 kilometers from the Vladivostok-Nakhodka state highway, Shkotovo village
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00 seven days a week**
Cost of visit: 300-450 rubles depending on the excursion
Park website: safaripark25.ru
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Supra
Supra is a restaurant of Georgian cuisine with very affordable prices, a colorful atmosphere, a rich and tasty assortment and a long queue. The downside of the establishment is that it does not provide “reservations”. It doesn’t matter if two guests want to have dinner, or fifteen people come for lunch.
All you need to do is contact the administrator at the entrance and find out if there are free seats. There is no table - take a ticket for the queue and wait. Waiting time: from 10 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how busy the restaurant is.
According to many visitors (even those who waited several hours on a Friday or Saturday evening), the result is worth the wait. As a rule, people fall in love with Supra after the first khinkali and Adjarian-style khachapuri.
Average check: 700 rubles
Opening hours: 12:00-24:00**
Website:
Elena. Vladivostok is washed by waters and bays and stretches along the coast at a distance of 30 km (from north to south) and 10 km (from west to east).
The bay, dividing Vladivostok into two parts, is convenient for ship mooring; it houses fishing and commercial ports.
The city's river network is represented by highly regulated small rivers and streams, the largest of which are: Bogataya, Explanations, First and Second Rivers, Sedanka. There are reservoirs on Sedanka and Bogataya.
The highest point of the city is the Blue Hill, 474 m high, located in the north of the Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, next to Artyom. Among other significant heights: the Eagle's Nest hill (199 m) - the highest point of the historical part of the city, the Kholodilnik hill (257 m), Mount Vargina (458 m), Mount Russian (291 m).
Climate
The climate in Vladivostok is monsoonal. Winter is cold and dry, with a predominance of clear days. Spring is long and cool, with frequent weather changes. Summers are warm and humid, with the highest proportion of annual precipitation. Autumn is short, with a gradual decrease in precipitation towards winter.
The warmest month in the city is August (+19.8 °C), and the coldest month is January (−12.3 °C).
The swimming season in Vladivostok, as a rule, lasts from July to September. The warmest sea is observed in August and early September, when the water warms up to 24-26 °C.
Story
In the distant historical past, the territory of modern Vladivostok first belonged to the Bohai Empire (698-926), and after the 10th century - to the Khitans, and later to the Jurchen state of Eastern Xia. After the Mongol attack in 1233, almost the entire territory of modern Primorye fell into desolation. Subsequently, due to territorial disputes between the Han and Manchus, the entire southern Primorye region became depopulated and was not mentioned in historical sources until the 19th century.
In 1858, the Aigun Treaty was signed between Russia and China, according to which the territory of modern Primorye was defined as a territory of joint Russian-Chinese use. In the summer of 1960, Vladivostok was founded on this territory. Vladivostok became completely Russian after the signing of the Beijing Treaty in November 1860.
In subsequent years, the port city actively developed and in 1888 was recognized as the center of the Primorsky region. In the 1890s, Vladivostok became the center of Russian culture in the Far East.
After the October Revolution, governments in Vladivostok changed several times, British, Japanese, French, and American invaders landed.
In 1920, Vladivostok became part of the Far Eastern Republic, and in 1921 it was declared the capital of the independent Republic of the Amur Region. Since the end of 1922, its territory has been part of the RSFSR, and in 1938 the city became the center of the Primorsky Territory.
Since 1958, Vladivostok, being the main Pacific fleet base, has acquired the status of a closed city. In the 1960s, after N.S. Khrushchev visited the city, large-scale housing construction was carried out in Vladivostok. It was at this time that many significant objects were built in the city, such as the 100th Anniversary of Vladivostok Avenue, the funicular, etc.
In 1991, the city was returned to its status as open to foreigners. In the post-Soviet period, Vladivostok, as well as Russia as a whole, experienced economic collapse and a significant decline in living standards.
Currently, there is an improvement in the social and economic situation in the city. Vladivostok remains an important transport, industrial, trade and financial center, and has great prospects for further growth and development.
Attractions
- - the main historical attraction of the city. Most of the fortress is located in the forested part of the city, on the coast, mountain tops, and also on Russky Island. Under the protection of the Vladivostok fortress, Russia colonized and settled the Ussuri region.
Today, all the fortifications of the fortress, located on an area of 400 sq. km, are united into an open-air museum. is a historical monument of federal significance and a tourist and recreational attraction of the city. - - a landmark of Vladivostok, giving its architecture a unique look. The church building was built in 1921 and church services were held there until 1935. Today, a large-scale restoration project of the building is being implemented, based on financial assistance from Catholic organizations from the United States, donations from Catholic citizens and simply connoisseurs of ancient architecture.
- (Svetlanskaya St., 20) is the oldest cultural and ethnographic center of the Far East. The museum's expositions introduce numerous visitors to the history of development and the nature of the region; numerous thematic exhibitions are interesting: “Slavic House”, “Entertaining Aquarium”, “Shells and Corals”, etc., archaeological and ethnographic collections. To remember Primorye, here you can buy original souvenirs made of gems and natural stone. The museum also contains an extensive collection of materials about the life and work of the region’s researchers - V.K. Arsenyev, N.I. Przhevalsky, M.I. Venyukov, etc.
- - a cultural pearl of the entire Far East. The formation of the museum's collection began in the 30s of the 20th century on the basis of the art department of the museum. VC. Arsenyev. The opening of the gallery itself took place in 1966. The gallery has a unique collection of paintings representing Russian art in the Asia-Pacific region.
- reflects the inextricable connection of Vladivostok with the sea and, in particular, with the Pacific Fleet. Glorious pages of the fleet’s rich military history are widely represented in the museum’s exhibitions. Today, the Pacific Fleet Museum has about 40 thousand exhibits; Young Pacific warriors take the oath within its walls, and ceremonial events are held.
- - perhaps the most visited attraction in the city. Its exhibitions are dedicated to the underwater world and nature of the Pacific Ocean. The opening of the oceanarium museum took place in 1991. The halls of the oceanarium have a total area of about 1300 sq. m presents thematic diaramas, collections of sea corals, shells, sponges, fish and sea animals.
- - the first ship of the Soviet Republic in the Far East. "Red Vympel" served faithfully and truly in the Pacific Fleet for many years, participating in combat operations and in clearing mines in the waters of the Sea of Japan. Today the ship is permanently moored on Korabelnaya Embankment and turned into a museum.
- - the legendary Pacific Fleet submarine, awarded high ranks - Red Banner and Guards for military merits. She has more than 10 sunk fascist transports to her credit. Today, the S-56 submarine is one of the main evidence of Vladivostok’s military past and is visited by thousands of tourists every year.
- and, in addition to their direct purpose, are the calling cards of Vladivostok, designating the sea gates in the Eastern Bosphorus watering.
- - a wonderful example of Russian fortification art. The artillery battery was an important part of the coastal defense of Vladivostok. Today it is an open-air museum and one of the main attractions of Vladivostok.
Architecture
The architecture of Vladivostok is represented by buildings of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, as well as monuments of wooden architecture. The city has entire streets and neighborhoods that have preserved historical buildings. Of the most significant architectural structures of the city, it is necessary to note:
- buildings of railway and sea stations;
- cinema "Ocean"
- the Gray Horse building;
- the Brynner mansion;
- buildings of the Versailles and Golden Horn hotels;
- Lutheran Church of St. Paul;
- the building of the former Japanese consulate;
- buildings of GUM and Post Office;
- Nikolaev Triumphal Gate;
- building of the Pushkin Theater;
- Catholic Church;
- Chapel of the Holy Trinity;
- Cathedral.
Videos about Vladivostok
Video from the channel Nina HappyRich Timelapse Super beautiful morning in Vladivostok!!!
Location
Offers
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Golden Horn Bay
Golden Horn Bay is a bay in Peter the Great Bay, on both banks of which the port city of Vladivostok is located. The bay is located on the northern shore of the Eastern Bosphorus Strait between capes Tigrovy and Goldobina. The bay is bordered from the northwest by the Shkota Peninsula.
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Lighthouse on Tokarevskaya cat
The lighthouse on Tokarevskaya Koshka was founded in 1876 and is one of the oldest Russian lighthouses in the Far East. It is installed on the tip of the cat extending from Cape Tokarevsky. In navigation, a “cat” refers to a sandbank that runs parallel to the shore and is exposed at low tide. Tokarevsky's cat is artificially raised and looks like a dam about 750 meters long.
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Lighthouse on Cape Basargina
Cape Basargin is located on the southeastern tip of the Basargin Peninsula and is very dangerous for navigation. The tip of Cape Basargin is a high cliff connected to the shore by a low rocky isthmus. It was on this rock that the wooden lighthouse tower was installed in 1937. At that time, the lighthouse light was acetylene and therefore in the documents it was not listed as a lighthouse, but as a luminous navigation sign.
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Military History Museum of the Pacific Fleet
In 1945, the command of the Pacific Fleet (together with the Primorsky Regional Committee) decided to create a museum dedicated to the glorious military history of the Pacific Fleet. A special initiative in creating the museum was shown by Lieutenant Colonel B.A. Sushkov, who led the work on collecting exhibits and collections of the museum. Under his direct leadership, exhibits were brought from Kamchatka, the Kuril and Commander Islands, and the Russian Museum from Port Arthur. Some of the exhibits were donated by other museums and organizations in the country.
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Primorsky State Art Gallery
The Primorskaya Art Gallery was opened in Vladivostok on June 29, 1966. The gallery was formed from the collections of the museum named after V.K. Arsenyev, his art department. Back in the 1930s of the twentieth century, works of art from the State Russian Museum, the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Museum of the Academy of Arts, and the Hermitage arrived in Vladivostok. To present these artistic values for public viewing, the regional museum was created.
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Museum named after VC. Arsenyev
In order to understand and love Vladivostok, which has changed many times throughout its history, you must definitely come to the main Museum of the city, founded 130 years ago as a museum of the Society for the Study of the Amur Region. Today, its site is a large-scale and meaningful exhibition space, operating on the principles of turnover, mobility, and mixing traditional and new museum technologies.
Many people think that the Far East is terribly far away and not interesting...... those who think so are deeply mistaken!!! In fact, a trip to the Far East can cost the same as to the Black Sea coast. Thanks to the Government of the Russian Federation, 4 cities of the Far East have the privilege of discounted tickets from Moscow (Although it is very strange that the residents of Krasnodar, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg are to blame, from where tickets are 3 times more expensive than from Moscow), there is a system of state subsidies for air travel from Moscow to Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Vladivostok, passengers flying to these cities pay only 30% of the ticket, as a result the price by plane is lower than by train, or 6 days to travel in a carriage or 8-9 hours on a plane. The center of air transportation to the Far East is Vladivostok, the city is the Gateway of the Far East!!! And from Vladivostok you can already get to any point in any region of the eastern part of the country or to neighboring China, Japan and Korea.
In relation to the Pacific Ocean, one can apply the well-known phrase “See the Pacific Ocean and die!” Indeed, what can be seen in Vladivostok is difficult to find in any other region of Russia. So, first things first.
And now I have 3 exciting days ahead in the Far East, and now I’m in Vnukovo, on the plane and the familiar phrase “Ladies and gentlemen, we are ready for takeoff, please fasten your seat belts!” And now, in a moment, Airbus 330 has gained altitude and we are already rushing to the East. Along the way, the flight attendants fed us 2 times and offered us drinks 2 more times. The night passed unnoticed, but in general it was unnoticed, since we flew all night and the sun was shining.
And then 7 hours flew by, and the Amur delta appeared at the bottom, glittering temptingly below, the weather was good in the Khabarovsk Territory, which cannot be said about the Primorsky Territory. After 8 hours of flight, we began to descend; fog awaited us below - a common weather phenomenon in Primorye.
Soft landing at Vladivostok airport. The runways are located 2 km from the airport terminal building. If in Moscow landing was carried out along one ladder, then here 2 covered ladders were installed for the plane. Near the airport terminal building in Vladivostok, which is located 44 km from Vladivostok in the city of Artyom, there is a bus station from which you can go to Nakhodka, Artyom or to the Vladivostok bus station (bus 205) or railway. Vladivostok station (bus 107). The fare to Vladivostok is 60 rubles. Numerous taxi drivers attack you, offering to take you to Vladivostok, hinting at problems with the bus service. There are indeed problems; due to the remoteness of the airport, traffic is carried out according to a schedule, for example 107 runs only 10 times a day.
So I jumped on the 107 bus and went into town. The road from the airport at the time of my arrival was practically non-existent, since the highway was being repaired, and we drove along the side of the road, as a result the travel time was 1 hour 40 minutes!!! (average speed 26 km/h!). Along the way, I observed the foggy landscapes of the city. Upon arrival at the railway station bought a ticket for the evening train to Khabarovsk and went to explore the city. Firstly, the stele indicating that “The Great Trans-Siberian Railway ends here, the distance to Moscow is 9288 km” is worthy of attention. The railway is very interesting. The station, designed in the same architectural genre as the Yaroslavl station in Moscow, was not done in vain, because the Trans-Siberian Railway runs between these stations. 
Behind the railway tracks there is a marine terminal; it does not have any special architectural meaning, but it is at its pier that you can see various foreign ships arriving at the Golden Horn Bay. On the day of my arrival, a cargo ship from Panama was located here.
Then I walked along Aleutskaya Street, to the intersection with the street. Svetlanskaya. Svetlanskaya is the central street of Vladivostok. 
Turning left, I soon went out to the Ocean cinema, and nearby there was Sports Embankment and the beach. There is also an oceanarium, where all the inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean are represented, the Vladivostok Fortress, a lot of souvenirs are sold there, the park has a Ferris wheel and other entertainment facilities. You can often find fish stores; when you go into them, you find yourself in a museum; there are even signs saying “Photography is prohibited.” In such stores you can see many ocean inhabitants that cannot be found even in the most sophisticated restaurants in Moscow. The prices for ocean delicacies are also scary; shrimp (they are large and fresh) cost from 650 rubles per kilogram!!! Walking along the streets of Vladivostok you will come across Chinese restaurants and shops.
Then I walked along Svetlanskaya, along the Korabelnaya embankment, this part already faces the Golden Horn Bay, and the Sea of Japan is not visible here. There are many monuments here, and the most famous monument is the submarine S-56. 
Walking along Svetlanskaya Street you can see many interesting buildings: GUM, Circus, Primorye Bank, Triumphal Arch of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and many others. All buildings are made in European style and there is no hint of the long-term presence of Chinese expansion. Not far from the circus there is the only funicular in Russia; you can climb the hill and see the outskirts of Vladivostok and a wonderful view of the Golden Horn Bay. 
The weather allowed us to enjoy the beauty of the Primorsky capital.
During my visit, massive construction was underway in the city, 3 bridges were being built across the Golden Horn Bay, to Russky Island and across the Amur Bay, sidewalks and building facades were being repaired in the city center, everyone was preparing for the APEC 2012 summit. I think by the time of this event the city will look very beautiful.
Since I had seen most of the city’s attractions, I decided to take a ride to Russky Island. The ticket office is located at some distance from the Marine Station, where ferries departing for islands located close to Vladivostok are boarded there. Riding on pleasure boats is also not very common in Vladivostok. A ticket to Russky Island costs 40 rubles. It is offered to return for the same money. The ferry journey takes 30 minutes, the same amount of time before returning. The ferry was filled to capacity as it was the final trip. It was very interesting to see who sailed there, 99% were male, of which 80% were Chinese. A very beautiful panorama opens up when the ferry leaves the open sea from the Golden Horn Bay. 
After 30 minutes, our ferry docked at Russky Island, I got out, looked at what this island is like - it’s a kind of residential microdistrict of Vladivostok, in the near future (by the 2012 summit) the Far Eastern Federal University, hotel complexes will be located on the island, it will be connected by a bridge across the strait, entertainment complexes and much more. The standing bridge will be the longest bridge in Russia, its length will be almost 5 kilometers! 
According to some estimates, it will take about 200 billion rubles to equip the island. In general, they promise that there will be a garden city. 
Then I took a ferry back to Vladivostok; Russian engineers and other managers involved in construction on the island were already on their way back. And within 30 minutes I was back on the mainland, on the Vladivostok embankment. 
After some time, boarding began on the branded train “Russia” Vladivostok - Moscow. Only 2 branded trains run from Vladivostok, both of them go to the “capitals”: “Russia” to the capital of the state, Moscow, and “Ocean” to Khabarovsk, the capital of the Far East. In general, railway transport lives a strange life in the Far East, on Russian railways Moscow time is in effect, Moscow time is printed on tickets, and local time is printed on the board!!! Therefore, before the trip, you have to calculate what time the train will depart. So “Russia” was listed on the ticket at 14:00, but according to local time it’s already 7 hours later, that is, 21:00!!!
I was traveling alone in the compartment, but as it turned out not for long, in Ussuriysk soldiers loaded into the carriage (this is not the first time I am convinced that our army lives well, they ride on branded trains, although we were followed by fast train No. 239!, because tickets on a branded train are more expensive 1.5 times!).
In the morning at 11 o'clock I arrived in the capital of the Far East - Khabarovsk. 
Since the city is located on a plain, there is no such panoramic view of the city as can be seen in Vladivostok. I bought a guide to the city and the first thing that caught my eye was that from the station in the direction of Amur there are 2 boulevards: Amursky and Ussuriysky, it is noteworthy that in the center there is a pedestrian zone with significant vegetation, and this part of the boulevard is 3 times wider than the size of the road parts, walking along the boulevard you can hardly hear cars!!! 
There is a Chinese market near the Palace of Trade Unions. Here you can buy anything you want, and at the same time bargain and chat with the Chinese. The Chinese border passes 10 kilometers from Khabarovsk. In general, from the railway From the station it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the Amur embankment. You can also get there by public transport (15 rubles), but walking is still more interesting. Walking around the city, you can understand that the city lives such a unique metropolitan life, but there is no rush characteristic of large cities. Approaching the Amur embankment, I saw the stadium named after. Lenin, this is the home stadium of the SKA-Energia football team (participates in the 1st division). The Amur embankment is very clean, there is a beautiful river fence. But the Amur itself is something so muddy and dirty, because it flows from China, and there are chemical factories on its banks. There are pleasure boats at the river station. For 250 rubles, an hour's walk along the Amur, the ship reaches the bridge over the Amur, this bridge is depicted on the 5,000 ruble bill, the length of this bridge is 3,890 m. This bridge is 2-storey, automobile traffic is organized on the upper tier, and a railway is organized on the lower tier. The Khabarovsk Bridge is called the “Amur Miracle”. 
After walking along the Amur, I went on to walk around the city. By the way, in the area of the river station there are modern machines with gas water, the water there is with barberry, mango, apple and other flavors syrup. 
Then I walked along Muravyov-Amursky Street to Lenin Square, this square is the second largest in Russia after Red Square in Moscow. 
Walking along Muravyov-Amursky Street, you can feel the “metropolitan” appearance of Khabarovsk. On Lenin Square there is a large fountain and many more small fountains, in general it is beautiful. Many guests and residents of the Far Eastern capital can be seen walking along this square. There are also a lot of skateboarders and cyclists on the square, I remembered that in Perm they got rid of this after the construction of the only extreme park in Russia, and in Khabarovsk pedestrians can be knocked over by these extreme sports enthusiasts.
Khabarovsk turned out to be a surprisingly expensive city for the average Russian; the average bill in catering establishments (cafes and canteens) is from 300 rubles! The souvenir products were also surprising with their price; magnets cost from 70 to 200 rubles; for example, in Vladivostok it costs 30-50 rubles. Then I walked along Ussuriysky Boulevard, where I walked along the alley of the Bremen Town Musicians, that is, the street where the sculptures of the heroes of this cartoon are installed. I don’t know why this is in Khabarovsk, but it’s still interesting. The weather in Khabarovsk was clear and warm all day; street thermometers showed from +25 to +32! Khabarovsk is an amazing city, and it is the complete opposite of Vladivostok.
In the evening I already boarded the branded train “Ocean” running from Khabarovsk to Vladivostok. Leaving Khabarovsk, I did not regret that I spent the whole day visiting this city. 
Early in the morning the train began to approach Vladivostok, outside the window the endless expanses of the Amur Bay of the Pacific Ocean (Sea of Japan) were visible. 
The train was traveling along the coast; the weather in Vladivostok was cloudy and fog was visible in places. Frequent weather changes in Primorye are a constant phenomenon. Exactly according to schedule, at 1:00 Moscow time (8:00 local) time, the train arrived at its final destination - Vladivostok, the city where the Great Trans-Siberian Railway ends.
Upon arrival, I went to the store to buy gifts from the Pacific Ocean. I bought, of course, caviar (price 1300 rubles/kg), smoked octopus (1000 rubles/kg), fish sausage (300 rubles/kg). Then I jumped on bus 107 and went to the airport. Despite the foggy weather, the plane took off on schedule. 
The main passengers on our flight were shift workers returning home from construction projects on Russky Island. The plane landed in Moscow 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Thanks to time zones, very interesting mathematics is also obtained, we took off from Vladivostok at 12 noon, were in Moscow already at 14-00, but the 9 hours of flight were very tiring. There were 6 hours left before the flight to Perm, I decided to visit Victory Park and take a walk near the most beautiful fountains in Moscow. Then I returned to Vnukovo.
The adventures didn't end after boarding the plane. The departure was delayed due to a traffic jam on the runway, the fact is that in the evening a large number of flights take off from Vnukovo, and they are all waiting for departure, we waited for 30 minutes. Having taken off and gained altitude, the flight attendants began to feed us dinner. But they did not calculate that due to the flight delay, we would fly to Perm in 1 hour 35 minutes to a place of 2 hours of flight, as a result, only half of the passengers managed to drink tea.
This is how you can fly to the Far East for 3 days - an amazing region in its beauty and originality.
If for Russians living in the west of our country in the summer all roads lead to Sochi or Crimea, then in the east everyone rushes to Primorye. In August-September, the entire length of the sea dazzles the eye with the colorful tents and you can study the geography of the Far East by looking at the license plates.
Latitude Crimean, longitude Kolyma
The capital of Primorye, Vladivostok, is located almost at the same latitude as Sochi. If not even further south. Palm trees do not bloom here, but in summer it will be hotter than on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. True, the weather here is capricious. In June there are fogs and rains. Typhoons are common in August. But September is the most golden time! Velvet season, Indian summer - whichever you prefer.
There are palm trees in Primorye. True, artificial...
You can swim in the Sea of Japan until the beginning of October. The water temperature at this time is still around 20 degrees. That is why in September there is a peak of cultural events of various scales in Vladivostok. For example, the Pacific Meridian film festival, which attracts Russian film stars. The whole city gathers to watch the stars walk along the red carpet. During the festival, visiting guests are taken on a ride through coastal towns and villages. So-called creative meetings in hospitable villages clearly do not add to their health.
And, of course, all guests are certainly taken to the islands. Swim in the clearest sea, scuba dive, taste flounder fish soup with vodka. Some of our stars are so fascinated by the seaside beauties that they visit every three months. For example, the groups “Chaif” or “Chizh and Co” can be found more often in Primorye than in Moscow.
Vladivostok is far away. But this is our city!
This popular phrase belongs to the leader of the world proletariat and greets everyone arriving by train. And on the platform of the local station they are greeted by a sign with numbers - 9288 kilometers. This is exactly how much separates the capital of Primorye from Moscow. Vladivostok is the end of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Next is the sea.
Many people like to compare Vladivostok with San Francisco. Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev was the first to do this. It's been the same since then. Although Vladivostok has its own unique face.
The city is surrounded on three sides by the sea. A port city with all the attributes of port life. Hills with breathtaking views. Narrow streets in the city center with Japanese cars scurrying around.
A visiting Russian in Vladivostok is struck by two things: the complete absence of domestic cars and the extremely large presence of beautiful girls. Nature really doesn’t skimp on beauties...
Foreigners like to emphasize that Vladivostok is a European city in Asia. That's why they come here. However, the proximity of Asia also left its mark. The old quarters were built by the Japanese and Chinese. It is not Moldovans who are working on current construction sites, but migrant workers from the Middle Kingdom.
During the Russo-Japanese War, Vladivostok was turned into a fortified city. Today, one of the city’s hallmarks is the Vladivostok Fortress Museum of fortification architecture. And around the city there are numerous forts that keep many secrets. Rumor has it that the entire city is dug with underground tunnels, and one of them even leads to Russky Island. Local diggers now take tourists around the dungeons and catacombs and tell all sorts of horror stories about them.
Any visiting tourist in Vladivostok needs to do three things: ride the funicular, walk along the Embankment and drink beer with shrimp. Further optional: museums, art galleries, restaurants and nightclubs. And, of course, the sea...
The southernmost region of Russia
The name Primorye speaks for itself. The length of the coastline in Primorsky Krai exceeds 900 kilometers. Add to this about a hundred large and small islands.
On weekends, ferries leaving for the islands resemble the flight of the White Guards from Russia. Tourists almost hang in clusters from the sides.
Russky Island, Popova Island, Reineke Island, Peschany Peninsula - the choice of vacation spots is wide. Happy owners of yachts, boats and motor boats (and the number of these are growing every year) find more secluded places. Fortunately, there are plenty of uninhabited islands.
By the way, the southernmost islands of Russia are located in Primorye. These are the Furugelm Islands. Further already. However, it is quite difficult for a mere mortal to get there. The islands belong to the only Marine Reserve in Russia. This place is unique. It is no coincidence that several years ago President Vladimir Putin was so fascinated by these places that he spent a whole week here.
The head of state was treated to seafood delicacies - scallop and sea cucumber. And then the idea was born to build the largest aquarium in Russia in Primorye, where you can gaze at the inhabitants of all seas and oceans. Although this can be done now. Although small, there is already a very representative oceanarium in Vladivostok.
The underwater world of Primorye is rich and diverse. There is plenty for divers here. Local dive centers will equip and take you to any point in Peter the Great Bay. Including within the Marine Reserve.
Pearls of the coast
The most famous beach outside Primorye is Shamora, glorified by Mumiy Troll and sung by Konstantin Kinchev. The official name of this place is Lazurnaya Bay. Even twenty years ago it attracted tourists no less than the famous Cote d'Azur. A picture from childhood: thousands of colorful tents nestled on any more or less suitable piece of coastline and pushing each other towards the sea itself. Next to each tent is a “Zhiguli”, “Moskvich” or the hero of folklore “Zaporozhets”. The cars have Khabarovsk, Amur and Magadan license plates. People from all over the Far East came here to spend a vacation by the sea. Today Shamora is a vacation spot for the majority of Vladivostok residents. On a weekend there is nowhere for an apple to fall, and in the evening getting out of here is a real hassle. You will have to stand in traffic jam for more than one hour. The once wild beach is now overgrown with all kinds of houses, summer cafes, and kebab shops. At the service of vacationers are scooters, bananas, kites and much more. You won’t see tourist tents in Shamora anymore...
However, as before, with the onset of summer, a stream of beach lovers heads to Primorye. And now Khabarovsk, Amur, Magadan and other Far Eastern numbers can be found almost on the entire coast of the Primorsky Territory. The real Mecca of wild tourism remains the southwest of Primorye - the Khasansky district. This corner is called the Pearl of the region. And probably rightfully so. Until recently, economic activity in these places was limited (37% of the district’s territory is specially protected natural areas), and therefore the region is considered environmentally friendly. When it became known that the future oil pipeline would end in these places and the construction of an oil terminal was planned, a real war broke out over the safety of the local bays, which the government and oil workers ultimately lost.
The Khasan region has a mild, almost subtropical climate. Cozy coves with beautiful sandy beaches, clear turquoise sea with a rich underwater world. And also bizarre rocks covered with burial pines. The beauty here inspires artists and photographers. Primorye politicians and nouveau riche relax here.
Like mushrooms after rain, recreation centers are springing up along the entire coast - for every taste and budget. It is almost impossible to buy a ticket there in July-August. And everyone wants to relax. Therefore, lovers of the sea and sun prefer the usual type of recreation - in tents. But even for such a “wild” vacation you now have to pay. The district administration realized that it is possible and necessary to make money from tourists. And now one day on the shore costs 100 rubles per nose. Plus another hundred from the car. You also need to buy firewood. And that adds up to an impressive amount. But this does not stop Khabarovsk tourists. The main tourist center of the south-west of Primorye - Andreevka - is reminiscent of Sochi twenty years ago. Local residents rent out rooms, verandas, and corners to visiting tourists. The money earned will last until next summer.
Despite the authorities’ attempts to control the flow of savage tourists, they still scatter all over the coast and find secluded corners. Some climb almost to the Russian-Korean border. For one such group, their vacation in the southernmost lands almost ended sadly. About ten years ago a group of Khabarovsk students vacationed in these places. One fine sunny day, several people decided to ride on the surface of the water in a rubber boat, but did not calculate their own strength, wind and current. As a result, North Korean border guards helped them stop the drift and go ashore. The students suffered a fair amount of fear, but what memories of the summer!
Behind the fog and the smell of taiga...
And yet Primorye is not only the sea and beaches. After all, the symbol of Primorye is the tiger - the owner of the Ussuri taiga. By the way, it’s not difficult to see a tiger now. Not far from Spassk there is a zoological hospital where a tiger family, Kucher and Nyurka, has been living for several years. They live almost in a natural environment. I remember I brought a French friend there. Airline employee Christophe had by then traveled to over 50 countries around the world. However, when he saw the tabby cat, he stood for a long time with his mouth open, and then bought all the photographs with images of the tiger.
Primorye has long been, and probably rightfully, considered promising for the development of eco-tourism. Mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, ancient extinct volcanoes, caves are unique in scientific, educational and aesthetic terms.
You can, for example, go to the very north of the region, where roads have not yet been built. This kind of vacation is preferred by those who have already seen and re-seen Thailand and. Or who, on the contrary, you can’t drag there for any price. They live in tents, catch trout and red fish with fishing rods in mountain rivers, and go rafting. It brings exotics here for the sake of foreigners, who usually go to the Udyghe village of Agzu and go down the Samarga River on national boats - ulmangs. The number of such tourists is not yet large. But it is possible that the flow of tourists will soon increase significantly. Thus, the Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve has developed several routes deep into the taiga and along the coast. The route to Lake Blagodatnoye is especially popular among our and foreign tourists. Only here you can see edelweiss blooming on the coast.
In general, in recent years, routes around Primorye have become increasingly popular. So the Primorye residents themselves changed their tourism priorities from China to their native expanses. In addition, without leaving the region, you can not only relax, but also receive treatment. Primorsky Krai has very impressive reserves of natural healing and health resources. There are all the main types of medicinal mud known in Russia: sea silt, sapropel, etc. Plus about 100 manifestations and deposits of various types of mineral waters. Shmakovsky springs in their healing characteristics are not inferior to the North Caucasian Mineral Waters.
In general, the choice of place and method of recreation is wide and varied. If you want, laze on the beach, or if you want, study the geography and biology of the Primorsky Territory in practice. You can spend your vacation in a cramped tent, or in a comfortable house at a recreation center.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
HOW TO GET THERE
By train from Yaroslavsky station. The journey is long and tiring (7 days), but unforgettable. After all, many famous people have taken this route - Alla Pugacheva, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Paulo Coelho, Kim Jong Il, David Bowie and many others.
A compartment ticket for the train "" costs 9,700 rubles. There is a cheaper train - 6500 one way, but you can get there on a reserved seat for only 2500.
By plane to Vladivostok. The cost of tickets in economy class is from 17 thousand (with a transfer) to 24 thousand rubles (round trip). Planes take off daily in the evening from Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports. The flight is no less tiring - 9 hours. But as you approach Vladivostok, you can see the sun rise.
Arrival airport
The airport is located 60 km from Vladivostok - in the city of Artem. You can get to Vladivostok by bus (runs every two hours, costs 50 rubles) or by taxi, which is much more expensive. Delivery directly to your doorstep will cost approximately 1200-1300 rubles. If you go to another city (Nakhodka, Ussuriysk), the prices are twice as high.
WHERE TO STAY
There are many hotels in the city. There are prestigious and expensive ones - Hyundai, Vlad Motor Inn, where the cheapest room costs from 4,000 rubles per day. The most popular are the Vladivostok Hotel, the Amur Bay Hotel and the Equator Hotel, whose windows offer a gorgeous view of the sea. The cost of a single room with a sea view is 1900-2000 rubles per day. The price includes buffet breakfast.
You can also stay in hotels at home (700 rubles per day). Renting an apartment will cost from 900 to 1400 rubles per day.
The cost of one day of rest at a country recreation center is from 600 rubles to 1800 rubles, depending on the comfort and season.
WHERE TO EAT
Vladivostok has a wide selection of restaurants and cafes. The choice is European, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Georgian, Armenian cuisine. However, prices are higher than in Moscow. On average, a trip to a sushi bar will cost 800 rubles. Most restaurants are concentrated in the city center. There are many cheap fast food cafes.
WHAT TO BUY
When in Primorye, first of all you need to try seafood - shrimp, mole crickets, squid, crabs. You can bring home caviar, all kinds of supplements and vitamins made from seaweed and organisms infused with ginseng. Local alcoholic products are also in demand - all kinds of tinctures (antlers with honey, rose hips with cognac, etc.).
ATTRACTIONS
In Vladivostok you can stroll through the historical center of the city, look at the Korabelnaya Embankment, the Museum named after V.K. Arsenyev, Vladivostok Fortress, Oceanarium, walk along the Embankment.
We recommend going to the islands ¬– Popova, Reineke, Russkiy. The latter will host the APEC summit in 5 years. On the way from the airport, you can look at the still virgin Muravyinaya Bay, where one of the five Russian play zones will be located.
MOVEMENT
In Vladivostok you can travel by public transport (tram, bus, trolleybus), as well as by taxi. There are more than 60 taxi companies in the city. But it’s easier to catch a car right on the street.
RENTAL AND RENTAL
The city offers rental cars (Japanese, right-hand drive!!!), yachts, and boats.
Specialized companies organize diving, parachute jumping, air excursions, spearfishing, wild hunting and fishing, rafting and much more.
When choosing a time to travel to Primorye, you should take into account the weather specifics of the region. In Vladivostok, as a rule, April and May are warm and dry, June is rainy, July is sunny, August has frequent typhoons, and the golden time is September and October.
