10 places where it is very difficult to recognize Russia

To see the beauty of the whole world, it is not necessary to get visas to other countries. Our country has everything: from wild nature, where people cannot reach, to unique and beautiful cities, more reminiscent of European capitals. We offer ten places in Russia where you can go for impressions.

Switzerland?

Almost, but 6500 km to the east. This is the Altai Mountains, one of the most inaccessible places in Russia. They are sparsely populated, and there is the only city of the Altai Republic (it is also the administrative center) — Gorno-Altaysk with a population of 60,000 people, the rest of the population lives in villages. The distance to the nearest railway station Biysk is 100 km . Locals say that the mythical Shambhala is located somewhere here, in "Russian Tibet".

Tibet?

This monastery is located in Buryatia, a hundred kilometers from Lake Baikal, not far from Ulan-Ude. The Ivolginsky Datsan was built in 1945, it is the center of Russian Buddhism, and here is the residence of the Russian Hambo lama. The datsan consists of seven temples and a university where monks are trained to serve in other temples of Buryatia.

Australia?

Melbourne cannot be confused with Vladivostok, but the coast of the Sea of Japan can easily be mistaken for the Australian coast. Moneron Island in the Tatar Strait resembles an island from the TV series "Stay Alive". In Primorye, which is called the gateway to Asia, there are many rare species of animals, such as Amur tigers.

Istanbul?

Vladivostok. There is a bay called the Golden Horn. A cable-stayed bridge across it was built in 2012 for the APEC summit. Nikita Khrushchev wanted to build something similar back in 1959, so that Vladivostok would be better than San Francisco, but then the bridge was never built.

Easter Island?

Stone statues are common for the islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, but not for the plateau in the depths of the taiga. The huge stone pillars on the Manpupuner plateau in the Komi Republic are a geological monument, included in the list of Seven Wonders of Russia. Millions of years ago there were high mountains here, but wind and precipitation gradually destroyed them. The poles are located far from inhabited places, only trained tourists can get here on foot, the rest — by helicopter. The Mansi people have many legends associated with this place, in the past stone idols were worshipped.

Halong Bay, Vietnam?

No, this is Avacha Bay in Kamchatka. The second largest bay in the world with a length of 24 kilometers. Capable of accommodating the entire world fleet. It offers views of the Vilyuchinsky, Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes. At the entrance to the bay there are Three Brothers rocks — a natural monument and a symbol of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Avacha Bay. The bay is the main gateway for people and goods arriving on the peninsula, and there are grottoes in the rocks around, which can only be reached by boat.

Italy?

Sometimes St. Petersburg is called the Venice of the North. This is one of the largest ports in Russia, tourists and residents love St. Petersburg for its drawbridges, beautiful embankments and romantic white nights, architecture and a huge number of picturesque alleys and courtyards.

Stone forest in China?

No, this is another UNESCO World Heritage Site — Lena Pillars. The rocks from which they formed began to form 540-560 million years ago. Red sandstone pillars covered with forest are reflected in the calm waters of the Lena River. By which, by the way, you can get to them — by boat from Yakutsk. A natural park has been formed here, besides there are viewing platforms at an altitude of one hundred meters above the ground so that you can see the beauty of Siberian nature.

A German village?

Almost. The city of Zelenogradsk is located on the Baltic Sea coast in the Kaliningrad region of Russia. As you know, Kaliningrad used to be Konigsberg, which was founded in 1255 by the knights of the Teutonic Order. After the end of World War II, the region became part of the Soviet Union, so in many ways European culture remained here.

Mount Fuji?

Kronotsky volcano is located in the national park of the same name in Kamchatka and strongly resembles Mount Fuji. Kronotsky National Park is one of the oldest nature reserves in Russia. There are many geysers and hot springs here, the Valley of Geysers is one of the Seven Wonders of Russia. One of the largest geyser fields in the world and the only one in Eurasia.