For most of the inhabitants of Russia, the Primorsky Territory is almost as exotic as Korea or China. Due to the enormous distances, Vladivostok seems so far away that it is easier to get to another country than to overcome these thousands of kilometers. The capital of Primorye is not quite a typical Russian city. This is the territory of the grandiose Pacific Ocean, incredibly beautiful bays, bridges, ships and fresh seafood.
In the city, you can visit a real Chinese or Korean restaurant, and not an imitation of it, as is usually the case, admire the bizarre shapes of the Golden Horn from observation platforms, wander through the hills of Russky Island, go to a modern oceanarium, or choose a fascinating sea trip to all this. Whatever the tourist does, he is guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
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What to see and where to go in Vladivostok?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Cable-stayed bridges
Vladivostok's two cable-stayed bridges (Golden and Russian) are a real decoration of the city, structures soaring over the rugged bay give it a unique and recognizable look. They claim to be a symbol of the Primorsky Territory and an architectural masterpiece of the 21st century. The length of the Golden Bridge is about 1.4 km, the Russian one - 1.1 km. The construction of the pontoons was carried out in the period 2008-2012 in preparation for the APEC summit.
Russky Island
The island is located in the Peter the Great Bay, a few kilometers from Vladivostok, being part of the urban district. It has a rugged coastline, in which small bays hide, and is covered with hills. Russky has a promenade, a dolphinarium and an oceanarium, but, nevertheless, its main value is nature, stunning views of rocky shores and a powerful ocean. In summer, this place is great for swimming.
Golden Horn Bay
A long and rather narrow bay, on both sides of which there are city blocks and seaports. The Golden Bridge is thrown across it. This is a rather lively place, since here ships are constantly moored to the shores (sometimes even submarines are shown!) And ship-repair enterprises constantly make noise. At night, the bay is a grand spectacle, shining with thousands of lights.
Eagle's Nest Hill
The hill is about 200 meters high, the highest point in Vladivostok. There is a television tower at its top, and residential quarters are located around. Part of the territory of the hill is covered with forest. Of the sights, you should pay attention to the monument to Cyril and Methodius and the observation deck located around, from where you can admire the panorama of Vladivostok and the Golden Horn Bay.
Tsesarevich embankment
The embankment is located on the edge of the Golden Horn, it was built in 2012 on the anniversary of the JSC Dalzavod Holding Company - a ship-repair enterprise, which was opened by Emperor Nicholas II, who was Tsarevich at that time. The length of the alley is 600 meters, there are walking and park areas, several cafes and a playground. From here, boats leave for short excursions along the bay.
"To fighters for Soviet power in the Far East"
Monument of 1961, representing a 30-meter figure of a member of the People's Revolutionary Army of the Far Eastern Republic, who fought for the establishment of Soviet power in the region. The statue stands on a high pedestal, on both sides of which there are two sculptural groups: the first is dedicated to the overthrow of the tsar's power, the second - to the liberation of Vladivostok from the Japanese invaders.
Nikolaev Triumphal Gates
Initially, the gate was erected in 1891 in honor of the visit of the future Emperor Nicholas II to the city. The Tsarevich came to Vladivostok as part of a round-the-world trip. The structure is an elegant and elegant brick and stone arch, made in the Russian-Byzantine style. In the upper part there is an image of the patron saint of sailors, Nicholas the Wonderworker. The original gate was blown up in 1930 as a symbol of autocracy. The modern building is built in 2003.
Train Station
The passenger station is the end point of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The complex of station buildings was erected at the end of the 19th century according to the project of P.E.Bazilevsky in the neo-Russian style. Over the course of the 20th century, the building was rebuilt several times, depriving it of its imperial features and adding more Soviet style: they removed the coats of arms, painted over folklore plots, and changed the color of the facade. After the restoration of the 1990s, the complex approached its pre-revolutionary appearance.
Vladivostok GUM
The oldest store in the Far East, which began with the Kunst and Albers trading house, founded in 1864. At the beginning of the 20th century, this company was the largest in the region and operated until the 1930s. The historic building was designed by G. G. Junghendel. It is adorned with bas-reliefs, replete with decor and elements typical of the German Baroque, which makes it a valuable architectural monument.
Vladivostok funicular
Lift system in operation since 1962. The lower station is located on the street. Pushkinskaya, the upper one - on the street. Sukhanov. The main passengers are tourists and FEFU students (the university buildings are located close to stopping points). On the rails there are two tram-type carriages with a capacity of up to 40 passengers. Before the advent of the lifting system, the way up could be overcome by a rather steep staircase.
Voroshilov battery
A unique defensive structure, which has an analogue only in Sevastopol. It was built in 1931. The structure consists of two towers with cannons (under them were an ammunition depot, technical and living quarters) and an underground corridor connecting them. In 1997, the battery ceased to exist as a combat unit, a museum exposition was opened on its territory.
Vladivostok fortress
A complex of defensive structures of the 19th - early 20th centuries, which is considered one of the most fortified and powerful coastal fortresses. Interestingly, its construction was never completed due to the First World War and the October Revolution that followed. During the construction of the complex, Russian engineers took into account the experience of the Russo-Japanese War, the terrain and future tasks, which made the fortress almost impregnable.
Intercession Cathedral
The main temple of Vladivostok, built at the beginning of the 20th century and destroyed in 1935. Nearby there was a cemetery with the graves of the participants in the Tsushima battle. In Soviet times, a park was located in its place. The parish began to revive in the 1990s, the new cathedral was erected only in 2007. The modern building is set on an old foundation and is almost a complete copy of the historical one.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Protestant church of the early 20th century, the oldest religious building in Vladivostok. It was erected according to the project of G. Junghendel in the style of northern German Gothic. After the revolution, it housed a cinema and a club, and later - the Pacific Fleet Museum. In 1997, the building was returned to believers in the presence of the German ambassador. The restoration lasted 12 years at the expense of the Lutheran communities in Germany and other countries.
Catholic Church of the Most Holy Theotokos
For a long time, the Catholic Church of Vladivostok was considered the largest in the Asian part of the Russian Federation. The main construction phase was completed in 1921. In 1935 it was closed and the priests were shot. Until 1991, the State Archives of the Primorsky Territory was located inside, although already in 1987 the building was declared an architectural monument.In 2010, the reconstruction of the building was completed, which resulted in the appearance of towers and bells.
Primorsky Oceanarium
The Oceanarium is located on the Russky Island. The aquariums are housed in a picturesque building of modern architecture, reminiscent of the waves of the ocean and seashell valves. The complex includes a park area, scientific laboratories, an adaptation building, a main reservoir and engineering structures. The Oceanarium opened in September 2016 in the presence of President V.V. Putin.
Vladivostok Oceanarium "Aquamir"
Aquamir is the first Vladivostok Oceanarium, opened in 1991. In two halls with a total area of 1.5 thousand square meters, there are aquariums with fish, corals, sponges and other inhabitants of the depths. Also represented are residents of fresh water bodies of the Far East, the Sea of Japan and Okhotsk, tropical regions. In total, there are about 120 species (2 thousand individuals). There is a maritime museum at the aquarium.
Botanical Garden-Institute FEB RAS
The largest garden in the Far East with a rich collection of plants. It is of great cultural and natural importance, therefore it is a protected area. The first botanical garden appeared in the city at the end of the 19th century, but it did not last long, the modern one was founded in 1949. Hiking trails leading to the protected areas of the Ussuri taiga are laid through the territory.
V.K. Arseniev Primorsky Museum
Museum of local lore with the most extensive exposition in the Primorsky Territory. Here are collected natural, archaeological and ethnographic collections, as well as materials about the explorers of the region. The year of foundation is considered to be 1884, although it was opened for visiting only in 1890. Today the exhibition is located in the building of the former profitable house of the industrialist V.P. Babintsev.
Military History Museum of the Pacific Fleet
The museum opened in 1950. The first exhibits were items brought from expeditions to Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. Since then, the collection has grown so much that it will take several hours to examine it. The exhibition is divided into two parts: a classical exhibition inside the building and military equipment located in the open air. Interesting examples are a Japanese mini-tank and a submarine.
Automotive Antiquity Museum
The exposition consists of rare motorcycles and cars produced in different countries. There are several dozen copies in the museum in total, located in six halls. Among them there are Japanese and German models obtained as trophies, Soviet technology, cars of the mid-20th century. An additional entourage is created by old photographs of Vladivostok and posters from the times of the USSR hung on the walls.
House-Museum of Official Sukhanov
Memorial Museum of the A. Sukhanov Family - State Councilor of Tsarist Russia. It is located on the territory of a 19th century wooden mansion - one of the few buildings of this type that have survived to our times. The exposition was created in 1977 at the initiative of the residents of the city. A. Sukhanov became famous for having done a lot for the improvement of the Primorsky Territory and Vladivostok itself.
Primorsky State Art Gallery
The Art Museum, founded in 1965 on the basis of the funds of the Hermitage, the Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum. A considerable part of the collection was donated from the V. Arseniev Primorsky Museum. The collection is located in the former building of the Russian-Asian Bank, which operated in Vladivostok at the beginning of the 20th century. In the near future it is planned to open the Hermitage-Vladivostok exhibition on the basis of the gallery.
Drama theater named after Gorky
The oldest theater in Vladivostok was founded in the 1930s. In 1975, the stage was moved to a modern building, which was renovated in 2006 as a result of the renovation. The performances are held in a large hall with 868 seats and a chamber with 50 seats. The troupe takes part in Russian and international festivals, goes on tour to other cities and regularly pleases the audience with new premieres.
Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theater
A branch of the famous Mariinsky Theater was established on the basis of the city opera and ballet theater in 2016. This event was preceded by reconstruction and technical equipment with the most modern equipment. Considering the fact that the building was erected in 2013, it didn't take much effort. The theater has two halls: a large one for 1356 seats and a small one for 305 seats, designed for chamber performances.
Submarine S-56
The S-56 was built in 1939 at one of the shipyards in Leningrad. Its parts were delivered by rail to Vladivostok and then assembled. In 1941, the ship was included in the combat composition of the Pacific Fleet, in 1943 she transferred to the Northern Fleet. The boat made eight military campaigns and sank several ships. In 1982 it became part of the memorial complex.
"Red pennant"
Pre-revolutionary ship, created in 1910 in St. Petersburg. It was originally used as a passenger ship, but during the First World War it was adapted for military purposes. "Red Pennant" took part in battles during the Civil War, and also performed certain work during the Second World War. Since 1958, he stopped sailing and was reborn as a museum ship.
Frigates "Pallada" and "Nadezhda"
Sailing ships, built in Polish shipyards in 1989, which are used today for training future sailors. "Pallada" made two round-the-world voyages, "Nadezhda" regularly goes on research expeditions throughout the Pacific Ocean. During naval parades, sailboats are used to enhance the aesthetic effect - their passage along the bay evokes a storm of emotions among observers.
Lighthouse on Skrypleva Island
The lighthouse was built at the end of the 19th century, when heavy traffic began in the Vladivostok port. The ships needed a reference point when entering the Eastern Bosphorus. The signal stone tower was installed at an altitude of 52 meters above sea level, in 1900 it was equipped with a sound siren. The lighthouse continues to operate today. Moreover, the light of its lights is the most powerful in Vladivostok.
Lighthouse Egersheld
One of the oldest lighthouses in the Far East, built in 1876. Today, it not only continues to regularly carry out its service, being a reference point for ships entering from the Amur Bay, but is also considered a city landmark. The structure stands on a small stone spit - Tokarevskaya koshka, which is located on the edge of the cape of the same name.
