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Eastern Russia

Vladivostok, Khabarovsk and Magadan

Author: Richard Chapo

With an incredibly large land mass,

Russia is really many countries in one.

In this article, we take a look at

travel destinations in the Far East.

Vladivostok
A naval port city on the Pacific Ocean, Vladivostok has a passing resemblance to a run down San Francisco. Home to the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy, the city has lost a little of its luster as spending on the military has dried up. Like San Francisco, the city is built on the hills surrounding a harbor with the center of the city sporting a nice collection of architecture from the pre-communist era. The city is dotted with parks and scenic points overlooking both the harbor and Sea of Japan. Although the center of the city is very clean the surrounding suburbs have unbelievable industrial pollution problems. As the saying goes, “A nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there.”

Khabarovsk
The largest city in Eastern Russia, Khabarovsk is the headquarters of the Far Eastern Russian Military Command. The city is built on merge of two large rivers, the Amur and Ussuri. Vying with Vladivostok, the city is a major tourist hub for Asians flying into Russia and has a corresponding open atmosphere. Although Khabarovsk is primarily a military and industrial city, it is a good launching place to pursue inland activities such as fishing, exploring and hiking. The city is also an excellent location to pick up the Trans-Siberian Railway for the trek to the west.

Magadan
The town of Magadan is located in the far north of Russia on the Pacific Ocean. The town is very remote and can be classified as the stereotypical frozen Russian town in the middle of nowhere. So, why would anyone visit Magadan? The town has played a major role in the suppression of Russians throughout history.

Under Stalin’s rule, Magadan and the surrounding area was the final stop for many exiles. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of political prisoners and “undesirables” were sent to Magadan to be dispersed to labor camps mining for gold. Indeed, the only road to the town is known as the “road of bones” for the prisoners who died building it.

Today, a large memorial stands in Magadan in memory of the dead. Trips can also be arranged to visit the decrepit gulags and labor camps used so mercilessly by Stalin during the Red Terror. Ironically, the town has also gained a reputation with hunters and anglers as a launching point as game is plentiful in the area. Much like Auschwitz, a visit to Magadan serves to remind visitors of the evil man will visit upon his fellow man.

The cities and towns of Eastern Russia are nothing like those found in the west. Having lived in Russia for a year, however, I believe they are a better representation of the conditions in Russia as well as the soul of the country.

About the Author:

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of travel journals.

Writing journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for him or her.

Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles.

Top 10 Things To Do and See

in Far East Russia

Vladivostok Fortress, Vladivostok
At one time, Vladisvostok was one of the strongest coastal fortresses

in the world, and the concrete structures used to fortify the city can

still be seen at the base of mountains, along local roads and in the seaside.
Attraction type: Military base/facility; Historic walking area

Svetlanskaya Street, Vladivostok
Named after the 1873 frigate Svetlana, this historical street is the longest

in the city and contains numerous memorial buildings.
Attraction type: Street

Gagarin Park, Yuzhno Sakhalinsk
Attraction type: Park

Lenin Square, Khabarovsk
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza

Railroad Square, Vladivostok
This town center is the location of the famous Railroad Terminal

and contains Aleutskaya Street, one of the city's oldest streets.
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza

Railroad Terminal, Vladivostok
This beautiful train station building looks more like a palace

for the tsars than a railroad terminal.
Attraction type: Architectural building

Post and Telegraph Office, Vladivostok
This impressive building has always housed the Post

and Telegraph Office since its 1897-1899 inception.
Attraction type: Architectural building

Siberian Flotilla Headquarters, Vladivostok
Designed by a naval engineer who fought in the Russian-Japapanese War

of 1904-1905, this building used to house the Siberian Flotilla.
Attraction type: Military base/facility; Architectural building

Stepan Osipovich Makarov Monument, Vladivostok
This outstanding Russian naval commander and oceanographer,

who contibuted to the development of Russian shipbuilding,

is honored by this monument in Lugovaya Square.
Attraction type: Monument

Cinema "Gigant", Khabarovsk
Attraction type: Movie theater

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