The Khabarovsk region, washed by the seas of the Pacific Ocean, is a land of pristine nature and industrial centers. Hills, mountains, rookeries of sea inhabitants, pacifying valley lakes occupy 70% of the territory of the region. In summer, in the Khabarovsk Territory, they organize hiking trips to the mountains and rafting on rubber boats or rafts along numerous rivers, and in winter they go skiing and snowboarding. From Khabarovsk to the nearest Chinese city, Fuyuan, less than 70 kilometers.
When one thinks about an abstract trip somewhere to the Far East, the images of the Ussuri taiga and one of the largest rivers of the planet, the Amur, always come to mind. I remember, of course, the Amur tigers. These are the main brands of nature in the Khabarovsk Territory.
There are many unusual and interesting things for tourists in the region. For example: the island of Bolshoy Ussuriysky is immediately divided by two states - China and Russia. Another source of pride is the 7-kilometer railway tunnel under Amur, which will soon turn 80 years old. This is the only underwater tunnel on Russian steel lines and one of the longest tunnels in the country.
The weather here is determined by the proximity of the sea and the relief. Winters are long, snowy and harsh. Cupid powerfully, impressively breaks open from the ice before the May holidays. Summers are hot and humid. The end of October is already marked by the first frosts.
What to do in the Khabarovsk Territory
Attractions of the region
Petroglyphs of Sikachi-Alyan
They are said to have appeared at the same time as the Egyptian pyramids - about 10 thousand years ago. All this "gallery" of almost 200 rock paintings is located on huge boulders on the banks of the Amur. It depicts fish, animals, scenes of hunting and everyday life, masks of shamans and views of the surrounding world.
There are Nanai camps near this place. Although a remake, they give a real idea of the history of the emergence of petroglyphs, the way of life and culture of the Nanai. Inhabitants will show you how to quickly and efficiently cut fish, will treat you with white fish dumplings, teach you how to shoot a bow without misfires, and will show you how to try on national costumes.
Distance from Khabarovsk is about 80 km.
Komsomolsk-on-Amur
The first builders - Komsomol volunteers - came here in the early 30s. The results of their work are a dream of a beautiful city come true. These are the Amur embankment, wide avenues, a monument to the first builders, a city museum of local lore and a visiting card of the city - an aviation plant named after V.I. Gagarin, which is part of the Sukhoi holding. Here they develop and create aircraft of the "Su" brand. In the museum, guests will be told a lot of interesting things about the formation of aviation in Russia and the Far East. “We teach airplanes to fly,” Komsomol members proudly say about themselves.
Distance from Khabarovsk is about 400 km. Visiting the museum of the aircraft factory - by appointment by organized groups with a guide. Foreign tourists get on the excursion only through travel companies.
Museum of the History of Amur bridge
The bridge is an important object in the economy, logistics and development history of the entire region. The first and main exhibit of the museum is the farm of the "Tsar's" bridge dismantled during the reconstruction. In 1908, this engineering structure with various know-how of the time was awarded the Great Gold Medal at the World Exhibition of Technical Achievements in Paris. There is a rolling stock of the late 19th and first third of the 20th century. In the building, which symbolizes the old railway station, you will be told a lot of interesting things about the history of reconstruction of bridges and tunnels of the Far Eastern Railway.
The entrance to the territory is free. The museum is open for visits only on Saturdays. On other days, except Sunday and Monday, the exposition is open on request.
Shantar Islands
This is an exclusive tourist destination. Getting there is not so easy, but if fate has brought you to one of these 15 islands, then the trip will be remembered for a long time. The newcomers are greeted by a colorful garland of coastal rocks - they are pink, green, red, white. This is due to the emergence of valuable rocks - jasper, marble, etc. During the day, all four seasons can be felt there. For almost 8 months the islands are covered with ice, and only by August they stop melting. Where can you swim among the icebergs at the height of the calendar summer? That's the same! There, whales swim between the ice floes, grizzly bears keep everything under control, waterfalls rush down from the mountains, the rivers are teeming with fish. Shoals of fish, seals, killer whales cut through the water column. All of them can be seen at arm's length. Or swim next to whales on glanders. And there is also great fishing, berry plantations ... and air! It smells of the sea, wind, freshness, ozone.
Amur cliff
It is here that the history of Khabarovsk is revealed - its founders were based on the cliff, then the military followed the border and Amur from here, then a rescue station settled. A museum and cultural center was gradually formed. Inside there is a retro photo studio, a polyphon that works to this day, elegant furniture in the Art Nouveau style, dishes of pre-revolutionary times, writing materials of those years, an antique grand piano, etc. Nearby is a monument to Khabarovsk Governor-General Muravyov-Amursky. From here, in good weather, you can see the skyscrapers of the border Chinese city of Fuyuan. Probably, there is not a single tourist who would not take a photo for memory at this place. However, it is possible not to take pictures - it is enough to pick up a 5-thousandth bill, and everything will become clear at once.
Nice walk with a romantic touch. There is a restaurant nearby.
Events and holidays of the Khabarovsk Territory
International festival of military brass bands of the Asia-Pacific countries "Amur waves" (late May - early June)
For the first time the festival was held in 2012. Bagpipes, trumpets, saxophones, French horns, oboes lead their own melody - brass bands show their vision of both classical and modern compositions. Khabarovsk has been marching for several days. "Amur Waves" claim the laurels of yet another business card of Khabarovsk. https://amur-waves.ru/ru/.
Festival "Stork over the Amur" (end of July)
Translated from Nanai, “achan” means “meeting”. So they have been found in the village of Achan for over 20 years: Ulchi and Nivkhs, Udege and Orochi, Evens and Tazy. In summer dwellings - the good spirits of the hearth and hunting, robes of fish skin hang, carpets of musk deer and deer skins lie. Dancing everywhere. Ethnic music sounds. The number of dishes on the table is not counted, the main thing is to be odd. The basis is fish, the main food of the northern peoples.
Colorful souvenirs are on sale - amulets, fur mittens and slippers, tea collections from forest herbs and berries.
International Music Festival (late March - early April)
Today it is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the spring taking place in the Far East. Seeing world stars is a rarity and real happiness.
International Festival-Competition of Ice Fishing "Silver Smelt" (March)
Freshly caught smelt smells like fresh cucumber. Fried in oil - melts in the mouth, and dried goes well with a drink loved by many.
The festival is held every year in the town of Sovetskaya Gavan. Fishing luck is lured by national groups with ritual dances, the audience chooses "Miss Silver Smelt". The real challenge is throwing frozen fish. Contests follow one after another. There is no time to get bored. It is no coincidence that Silver Smelt won the All-Russian Tourism Competition in the Event Tourism category.
International Sailing Regatta (July)
It passes along the route Khabarovsk - Fuyuan (PRC) - Khabarovsk. The crews are mixed, Russian-Chinese, but there are no language barriers in yacht management - wind, sails, rigging ... The fans support the athletes from both sides of the river. This regatta maintains good neighborly ties.
Where to stay, where to eat and where to buy souvenirs in Khabarovsk
Hotel "Verba"
Located in the historical center, a stone's throw to Amursky Boulevard, the embankment and museums. The staff are welcoming, but without familiarity. In the evening at a local restaurant it is better to book a table in advance.
Hotel "Sopka"
All hotel rooms have an excellent view of the Amur River or the Transfiguration Cathedral. The territory is not large, the Ussuriysky Boulevard is located nearby. Breakfast is served in the room.
Hotel "Parus"
Everything is close by - the city center, museums, embankment, boulevard. Next door is the House of Official Receptions of the Government of the Khabarovsk Territory. The central building of the hotel is located in an old two-story mansion built at the end of the 19th century. The style of its interiors is celebrated by all guests.
The average check in the hotels of Khabarovsk is 4500 rubles.
Restaurant "Russian"
Popular establishment. The menu is based on Russian cuisine. The interior is themed. Guests willingly take photos against the background of spinning wheels, kerosene lamps and "grandmother's" sideboards. The waitresses are dressed in folk style. At the entrance, guests can be greeted with a glass of liqueur.
Echo Restaurant
Located in an old brick house. The interior is filled with rarities. The highlight of the local menu is fresh seafood, which is promptly brought directly from Vladivostok. And there are also excellent soups. In this institution, it is customary to congratulate the heroes of the occasion. The restaurant has a children's room where the child will be supervised by local nannies.
Restaurant "Aragon"
If you want to visit nature and at the same time stay in the city, this is the place for you. On its territory there are ponds, a water mill, grottoes, stone compositions, animals in enclosures. The entrance to the territory is free. It is better to book a table in the restaurant in advance. Here are excellent steaks, exactly the roast that the client needs. The ear is made from many types of fish.
How to get there
Khabarovsk is a hub, here all paths converge: from the north and west of the country, Primorye, Sakhalin and the entire Khabarovsk Territory. The regional capital is connected by air with 50 cities in Russia and abroad. Travel time from Moscow to Khabarovsk by plane is on average 7 hours 45 minutes. If you go by train, then it is the night to Vladivostok and five days to Moscow.
First. To get an answer to the question that arises from everyone who has ever traveled our country along the Trans-Siberian Railway: how could Russia, without military actions and political intrigues, grow into such a giant territory? The answer can be found right on the railway square of Khabarovsk, where there is a monument to the Russian explorer Erofei Pavlovich Khabarov. He was a charismatic man! By the way, the famous Nanai hunter, guide and member of the expeditions of Arsenyev Dersu Uzala hails from the Khabarovsk Territory.
Second. Eat delicious. About 145 nationalities have coexisted here for centuries, so the exotic is not to be occupied. Udege people, for example, will treat you with lantsay - potato salad with chum salmon. It's worth a try!
Third. See the unseen. Adventure lovers go in search of brown and Himalayan bears, bighorn sheep, Amur tigers, conquer the mountainous country of Duse-Alin, try to decipher the Sikachi-Alian petroglyphs and wait for the lotuses to bloom with the first sunrise .... Tazy (ude) will explain the wisdom of river fishing, the Nanai will share the skill of making fish skin clothes.
Tourists are attracted by the architecture of the city - on the streets of Khabarovsk there are houses that have passed over 100 years. For guests from Japan and Korea, it is important to visit the places that characterize the relationship of countries with Russia at the turn of the 20th century. And someone comes here after today, for example, to see how giant bridges were built or how airplanes are made.
This is the rest from Khabarovsk citizens!