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If you know a good stop or a place to go out on the Trans-Siberian, please, post it in this topic and share it with other travelers. Very Happy

Marina Vladi · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 5:37 am Post subject: Vladivostok

Vladivostok (as the final destination of TransSib) is a great place to visit!

Marina Vladi · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:38 am Post subject: See the tigers

Isn't it a great place to visit!

Natural profusion of Spasskii County is on par with other counties of the Primorskii Region. Korean pine, elm-tree, birch, Manchurian walnut tree, aralia, Amur vine, sultana grape, eleutherococcus and fern are the defining species of the local plant life, while the animal kingdom includes Amur tiger, Himalayan bear, lynx, Manchurian wapity, wild boar, Manchurian roe, squirrel and other species. Over 200 square kilometers of basswood groves are an invaluable source of honey production, supporting local beekeeping tradition for 110 years.
Tigers Reserve in Gaivoron village, sponsored by the Biology and Soil Institute of the Far Eastern Division of the Russian Academy of Science, is the world's only theriological park, where Amur tigers are enclosed in their natural habitat. Established in 1978 and diligently run ever since by a devoted Amur tiger enthusiast and researcher Victor Yudin, the reserve is the automatic choice for anyone visiting Spasskii County. Guests from all over the world, including Germany, USA, Japan. South Korea, Holland have come here to see the tigers. The tour will take you to the Tigers Reserve in Gaivoron village, where you will watch Amur tigers in the enclosed natural park and talk to Victor Yudin about Amur tiger conservation issues.
Welcome to enjoy the fresh, clear forest air and feel the mystery of nature of Primorye.

You are welcome! www.csvlad.com

Siberian Tour Guide

The city of Krasnoyarsk is the midway Trans-Siberian stop. It takes the same time to get to Moscow either to Vladivostok from here. Being closed for foreigners to visit until late 80s it is still not much touristy. But on the other hand I would rate it as an attraction #2 on the Trans-Sib after the Lake Baikal with its beauties. Here you can see:

-"Stolby" Nature Reserve: its not often you see a nature preserve of any type that is relatively untouched that is so close to a large population center.

- Krasnoyarsk dam: the most powerfull dam in the world by the time it was built (70s), pride of Soviet hudro-energetic industry... and the Krasnoyarsk sea (reservoir behind the dam) the manmade lake, which changed the landscape and became to be a place for recreation for local people.

- The Krasnoyarsk Regional Studies museum is known for its ethnographical collections, describing siberian national minorities life; archeological artefacts and exibitions dedicated to history of developing Siberia by Russian people. This museum was lately opened after 15 years of rennovations is considered to be the largest in Siberia and one of the most beautiful in Russia (that's how it is mentioned in the Lonely Planet guidebook)

Krasnoyarsk is also gateway to Khakasia, Tuva, Shushenskoe down south and to the northen area of the region: Yeniseisk, Tunguska meteorite explosion site, Yenisey river cruises etc.

Well, there are much more to see actually. To learn more what is the place like, find cheap accommodation and any kind of support please, check out this website: http://www.sibtourguide.com/

Anatoliy.

blaked · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:47 pm Post subject:

Kazan' is an interesting place. It's about half Tatar and the capital of the Tatar republic. It's home to several oil companies, so it's not economically destitute like other places on the Trans-sib (ie Vyatsk/Kirov.) I've heard good things about Tyumen. Some Urals cities like Yekaterinburg are ok but poorly run - I've heard that there aren't many street lights turned on at night in Yekaterinburg. Tyumen is home to TNK Oil and they have a better mayor than Yekaterinburg. Some cities on the volga are lovely (Kazan, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novogorod, Kostroma, Chebokshary) and some should be avoided (Samara, Ulyanovsk.) Well, then again, let's face it - some people love to visit cities that are utterly economically destroyed. If you're into this, see Ulyanovsk or Vyatsk. Academgorodok near Novosibirsk is very interesting if you're into purpose-built academic cities. Ulan Ude is also interesting because of the large Asian population. Vladimir is a must if you're Orthodox.

Babuschka · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 28

Yes, Vladiwostok!
I have never been there but at school we had to learn by heart the stations of the Transiberian route and our teacher, who had made the trip, emphasized how beautiful Vladiwostok is. Probably, at the end of the trip, one is happy to get out...

Cheers

Wink

Loren5 · Just Starting Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 3

Was in Irkutsk a couple of weeks back and stayed in a brilliant hostel there that I reckon everyone should know about. The Irkutsk Downtown Hostel was pretty much the best hostel I've come across and not just Russia. It was really really cheap and the guys that run the place were helpful and friendly. Meet loads of other like-minded travellers whilst there and you can chill out in the lounge or have coffee in the kitchen. They gave us loads of advice about where to go both in Irkutsk and around Lake Baikal. Only downpoint was that the hot water was off for a few days and we had Baikal fresh showers... not just cold... painful!
Check it out! Wink

pauljaymes · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:14 pm Post subject:

World Nomads Mongolian restaurant in Ulan-Ude, opposite the Library (Biblioteka) near Pl Sovetov - look for the large sign in English. Friendly service, decent prices, wonderful food and the only bilingual (Russian/English) menu I saw in town. Finish your meal with a flask of the house Vodka (50rub).

RusskiCanadian23