Russian Far East

Russia's Pacific coast: Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Sakhalin Island and the volcanic Kamchatka Peninsula.

The Russian Far East is the vast region east of the Urals along the Pacific. For travelers it mainly means Primorsky Krai, Khabarovsk Krai, Sakhalin Island and the Kamchatka Peninsula, facing northeast China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula across the sea. Vladivostok is the most common entry point, with the Golden Horn Bay Bridge, the Eagle's Nest viewpoint, Russky Island and the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway; in winter, ice fishing and the seafood market are popular with Chinese visitors. Khabarovsk, on the Amur River, has a riverside promenade and the Far Eastern Museum. On Sakhalin, the capital Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk preserves buildings from the Japanese era, and you can hike up for views over the Sea of Okhotsk. The Kamchatka Peninsula is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site "Volcanoes of Kamchatka", where you can fly by helicopter to the Valley of Geysers, watch brown bears catching salmon at Kurile Lake, and climb Avachinsky Volcano. The cities take 3–4 days; adding Kamchatka requires another 5–7 days and costs considerably more. Travel between regions is mainly by domestic flights, and trains run between Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. Kamchatka usually requires joining a tour and is subject to weather. Before departure, check visa rules (including which ports of entry accept e-visas) and payment options.

Destinations

Itineraries