| Federal District: | Far Eastern |
| Founded: | 1860 |
| Population: | 606 653 (2016 Census) |
| Area: | 331,16 km2 |
| Federal City Day: | 2nd of July |
| Federal District: | Far Eastern |
| Founded: | 1860 |
| Population: | 606 653 (2016 Census) |
| Area: | 331,16 km2 |
| Federal City Day: | 2nd of July |
Vladivostok which means the Lord of the East is Russia’s largest port city on the Pacific Ocean situated at the head of the Golden Horn Bay and near the border of China and North Korea. The city has recently been renovated and updated, and pedestrianized streets and the harbour promenade are really beautiful spaces. The city is famously home to the Russian Pacific Fleet. Because of this, the city was closed to any foreigners and even Soviets had to be granted permission to enter the city during the time of the Soviet Union.
The territory on which modern Vladivostok is located had been part of many nations, including the Mongol Empire and China and in the past was populated by many Chinese, Manchu and Koreans. Russia acquired the region in 1858. The city’s economy was given a boost in 1903, with the completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The city was fiercely fought over during the Russian Civil War but finally taken by the Red Army in October of 1922. This battle marked the end of the Russian Civil War and consolidation of power by the Soviets. Since that time, Vladivostok has been Russia’s main cultural, trade and militarily important city on the Pacific Coast.
In the tab below there are some of the most important places to visit whilst in Vladivostok, but a trip to Russky Island on the ferry shouldn’t be missed, as you will get fantastic views of the harbours for a far smaller fee than you pay for a harbour boat cruise! The bridge to Russky Island is the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the world and is an architectural feat!
There are a few options regarding transport to Vladivostok. Obviously the main, and most famous way of travelling is by train on the Trans-Siberian railway. Alternatively, the airport is served by domestic flights to most major cities, and also international flights from Tokyo, Beijing, South Korea, Thailand and even Vietnam. The final option does depend on where you start your journey but there are ferries to Japan and South Korea.
Arseniev Museum was founded in 1884 and opened to the public in 1890. It belonged to the Society of Study of the Amur region. Major part of the collection was formed in the XIX century and it consists of ethnographic and archaeological exhibits. Today the museum is a large-scale exhibition space where traditional and new museum technologies co-exist. The museum building is located in the heart of the city and is a monument of town-planning architecture of the early XX century.
Vladivostok's world renowned and beautiful harbor of the Golden Horn is Russia's largest seaport on the Pacific Ocean. There are actually 3 harbors nearby; the fishing harbor, the naval base and the commercial harbor. In the commercial harbor, visitors can see numerous ships waiting to unload their cargo. Close by is also Amursky Bay.
The foundation stone of the station was laid by the architect Bazilevsky in 1891 in the presence of Crown Prince Nicholas, future Emperor Nicholas II. In 1893, the station was officially opened and trains on Vladivostok - Ussuriysk route were launched. In 1910-12 Yaroslavsky Railway Station in Moscow was built, and it was decided to rebuild Vladivostok station in similar style so as to created architecturally completed stations on both ends of Trans-Siberian Railway. There were several more changes in the ensemble in the course of the 20th century, and finally in 1994-1996 the station was restored to the original pre-Revolutionary look.
This tour will take you along the full route of the Trans-Siberian railway to 3 of Russia's most interesting cities - Moscow with stunning Red Square, the Kremlin and Cathedrals, Irkutsk located in the heart of Siberia and home to the great Lake Baikal and Vladivostok - the King of the East with its harbor of the Golden Horn and Amursky Bay on the Pacific Ocean.
This trip lasts for 2 weeks and passes through 6 fascinating cities. Starting in Vladivostok with its harbour of the Golden Horn and passing through the Buddhist city of Ulan-Ude, then to Irkutsk - home of magnificent Lake Baikal and onto Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg - very dynamic Siberian cities, and finally ending in golden-domed Moscow.
On this great Eurasian journey from West to East you will cover the entire route of the Trans-Siberian Railway, visiting four major cities along the way: Russia's capital Moscow, Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains, Irkutsk including incredible Lake Baikal, and finally Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean, at the very edge of Russia.
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