Vladivostok - pearl of the Russian Far East

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Vladivostok is the largest city in the Russian Far East with a population of about 800,000 people. The city is seven hours ahead of Moscow time. Established as a key naval and military base on the Pacific, Vladivostok became the eastern terminus of the World's longest Trans-Siberian Railway (9288 km).

A city with a turbulent history, Vladivostok has a multi-cultural ambience where Europe meets Asia. The Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, after his trip to the US in the 1950s, used to compare Vladivostok with San Francisco. Like San Francisco, the city of Vladivostok is located on a hilly region surrounded by a bay, opening a spectacular view.

Vladivostok can be compared not only to San-Francisco. The Golden Horn Bay in Vladivostok was named after the Golden Horn Bay in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). And like Istanbul, Vladivostok has its own Bosphorus: the Eastern Bosphorus strait separates the mainland Vladivostok and the Russky Island. The Russky Island Bridge over the Eastern Bosphorus is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.

Until 1992, Vladivostok was a closed city for foreigners, being one of the top secret military zones. Today the city of Vladivostok is one of the most important regional centers in Russia and the largest port city in the Russian Far East. In September 2012 Vladivostok hosted the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC). 

Traveling options from Vladivostok

Vladivostok can be your basecamp for traveling to North Asia:

 

Recommended Itinerary for your stay in Vladivostok

If you stay one day in Vladivostok you may visit:

• Stroll along Svetlanskaya street (former "American street" got its name after steemer "America" on which founder of the city - Muravyov-Amursky - arrived here in 19th century) - the oldest city's street
• Railway Station, end of the Trans-Siberian railroad monument
• Marine terminal
• Lenin monument in front of the Railway Station
• Brynner's Mansion and monument: Yul Brynner was famous Vladivostok-born (1920) United States-based film and stage actor
• City scenic observation platform "Eagle nest", monument to Slavic Enlighteners St. Kirill and Mefodiy
• Central square, monument to fighters for Soviet Power, building of Primoskiy Regional Administration
• The Arch of the Crown Prince Nicholas
• S56 submarine museum
• WW2 "Fighting Glory of Pacific Fleet" Memorial Complex: eternal flame
• Golden Horn bridge, walk over the bridge
• Far East Russian Opera and Ballet House on the other side of the Golden Horn bridge
• Crown Prince Embankment - very nice walk along Golden Horn bay

If you stay two days in Vladivostok on the second day you may visit:

• Naberejnaya street - nice promenade along Amur bay
• Monument to Admiral Makarov
• Sports Harbour and Aquarium
• Museum "Vladivostok's Fortress"
• Admiral Fokin pedestrain street also known as "Vladivostok's Arbat"
• GUM department store
• V.K.Arsenyev local lore museum
• Pacific fleet museum
• St. Paul Lutheran Church
• Vladivostok Funicular - an unique engineering construction

If you stay three days in Vladivostok on the third day you may visit:

• Russky island: the biggest world cable-stayed bridge over Eastern Bosphorus, Far East Federal University, Primorsky Aquarium (opened in September 2016), and Voroshilovskaya Battery (refer to the description of Russky Island tour)
• The Pokrovsky Cathedral (Cathedral of the Intercession)
• Tokarevskiy light house - fantastic view on Russkiy island bridge over the Eastern Bosphorus strait

Restaurants:

• "Zuma" - the best Russia 2014 restaurant acording to "Trip Advisor", Pan-Asian fusion cuisine
• "Porto-Franko", Russian and European cuisine
• Far East Federal University's canteen - student Russian food at very affordable price
• "Artichoke" BBQ bar - delicious food and live music every evening. Address: Lazo street, 8
• "Mumiy troll" music bar and restaurant - popular place with local hipsters
• North Korean restaurant "Pyongyang", address: Verhneportovaya street, 68-B

Hotels:

• 4* Azimut Vladivostok
• 4* Hotel Hyundai
• 3* Hotel Primorye
• 2-3* Hotel Equator

Guided tours around Vladivostok

Vladivostok is an interesting city to explore: