Discover the Russian Far East with iBestTravel

The Russian Far East has a mystique that’s been luring travelers for generations. With the volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka, ancient stone pillars on the Lena River, and some of the world’s coldest and remotest human settlements, as well as the cosmopolitan cities of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk, the region has something for everyone. Russia’s poignant past is present here too, from the BAM (Baikal-Amur Mainline) railway to the infamous Kolyma Highway that runs to Magadan, the most notorious outpost of the Far Eastern Gulag system.

Vladivostok

The ‘Master of the East’, a hip and dynamic city located in the stunning Golden Horn Bay, Vladivostok is the unofficial capital of the Russian Far East and a cultural heavyweight in its own right. St Petersburg’s renowned Mariinsky Theatre has inaugurated the Primorsky Stage in the city, joining the new Hermitage Vladivostok branch and the stellar Zarya Centre for Contemporary Art as the city’s premier cultural attractions. Meanwhile, the S-56 Submarine, Fort No 7, and the Vladivostok Fortress Museum pay homage to the city’s background as Russia’s most important eastern naval base. Vladivostok’s dining scene rivals that of other major cities in Russia, with numerous cocktail bars and pubs attracting night owls. If the frenetic pace becomes overwhelming, you can always escape to the beaches on Russky Island and Popov Island.

Esso

Located in the heart of the legendary Kamchatka Peninsula, the quaint town of Esso is the perfect base for hiking, soaking in the istochniki (hot springs), and rafting on the nearby Bystraya River. Charming izbas (wooden cottages) sit in a pine-scented valley surrounded by forested mountains. A well-marked network of hiking trails threads through the surrounding Bystrinsky Nature Park, offering a range of difficulties and lengths—ranging from 2km to 42km.

Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka

Accessible only by a helicopter tour from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the smoking Dolina Geyzerov is Kamchatka’s star attraction. This 8km-long valley, bisected by the Geysernaya River, is sprinkled with numerous geysers that sporadically blast steam, mud, and water towards the sky. Some of the most colorful geysers can be admired while strolling along a specially made boardwalk.

Yakutsk

The remote capital of the Sakha Republic, Yakutsk is notable for being the world’s coldest city, a marvel of Soviet engineering, built entirely on permafrost. Despite its isolation, Yakutsk is surprisingly cosmopolitan. A visit to the quirky Permafrost Kingdom is worthwhile, showcasing sculptures of pagan gods and mythological characters, while the National Art Museum features exquisite mammoth tusk carvings and paintings by Sakha artists. To indulge in Sakha delicacies such as indigirka (raw, frozen fish), reindeer, and zherybyatiny (colt fillet), you can find delightful offerings at local restaurants such as Chochur Muran and Makhtal.

Riding the BAM Railway

Stretching approximately 4324km from Severobaikalsk (on the northern shores of Lake Baikal) to the Sea of Okhotsk, the BAM (Baikal-Amur Mainline) is a triumph of railway engineering and serves as an alternative to the more popular Trans-Siberian Railway. With its scenic bridges spanning the Lena and Amur rivers, tunnels blasted through sheer rock, and tracks running through dense spruce forests and taiga, riding the BAM is a unique way to experience ordinary Russian life. Travelers often find themselves sharing stories and local delicacies with miners or lumberjacks along the way. Notable stops include Tynda, where travelers can visit the BAM Museum, and Komsomolsk-na-Amure, known for its grand Soviet-era mosaics and inviting riverside beach.

Oymyakon

Located 650km east of Yakutsk, the tiny reindeer and silver fox breeding station of Oymyakon (population around 500) holds the title of the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth, with extreme temperatures recorded as low as -82°C in nearby valleys. Numerous travel agencies in Yakutsk organize week-long tours to Oymyakon, especially appealing during the annual Pole of Cold Festival in late March, which features vibrant reindeer races, outdoor concerts, and cultural festivities.

Khabarovsk

Whether you visit in winter for the ice sculptures or in summer for the lively nightlife and the Amur River beach, Khabarovsk offers a refreshing escape, especially after long train journeys. Stately tsarist-era buildings line wide boulevards (notable sites include the Far Eastern State Research Library and the Tsentralny Gastronom), and numerous green walkways provide idyllic strolling areas throughout the city. The burgeoning dining scene boasts highlights like Georgian cuisine at Satsivi and fusion offerings at Farsh. Craft beer enthusiasts will find a good selection in the hipster Brozbar.

Magadan and Kolyma Highway

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and nestled along the Sea of Okhotsk, Magadan presents itself as a surprisingly pleasant city given its dark historical context. Notoriously referred to as the ‘pole of cold and cruelty’ in Solzhenitsyn’s Gulag Archipelago, it was once the site of some of the most brutal Stalinist forced labor camps from the 1930s to the mid-1950s. The harsh sub-Arctic climate and dreadful working conditions are believed to have claimed the lives of over a million prisoners in the Kolyma region, commemorated by the Mask of Sorrow monument overlooking Magadan and the Magadan Regional Museum. You can reach Magadan by air or embark on an ambitious road trip from Yakutsk by 6WD vehicle or truck along the Kolyma Highway, famously known as the ‘road of bones’, built by the labor of countless Gulag workers.

Lena Pillars

The most popular cruise in the Russian Far East is the two-day journey from Yakutsk to the Lena Pillars (Lenskie Stolby) along the mighty Lena River. This breathtaking 80km-long, 35-million-year-old limestone formation resembles a petrified forest, creating a startling sight after hours spent floating through dense spruce forest. Lena Tur Flot runs 36- to 46-hour cruises in comfortable ships, providing opportunities to witness local shaman ceremonies along the way.

Blagoveshchensk

This remote Russian outpost has stood since 1644 and now faces its more modern Chinese neighbor, Heihe, across the Amur River. However, it’s worth a detour 110km south of the main Trans-Siberian Railway line to Blagoveshchensk to explore the charming tsarist-era architecture scattered throughout the town center. A highlight is the extensive Amur Regional Museum. This frontier city is also one of the easiest places in Russia to enter China, although travelers should prepare their visa requirements in advance.