Where to stay
Khabarovsk is stretched along the river. To explore it comfortably, it is better to stay in the center - otherwise it will take a lot of time to get from one end of the city to the other. It is most convenient to live within the boundaries of the “red square” - the zone in the center where the main attractions (and the most expensive real estate in the city) are concentrated.
On Booking.com, rooms in the most popular hotels - Olympic, Sopka and Khabarovsk City - cost from 4,000 rubles per night. A standard room in the iconic Amur Hotel will cost the same, but you should book in advance: it is always in high demand. The main reasons are the location in the center and a restaurant serving Far Eastern cuisine located in the same building.
If you want to save money, take a look at hostel rooms: they provide isolation from other guests and do not overpay for luxury. In Rent Rooms Barracuda, rooms cost from 1,600 rubles, in “Orion” - from 1,800. It will be even cheaper to rent a bed in a shared room: for example, in the “Court Room” it costs from 700 rubles per night.
The average option in terms of price and comfort is apartments. On Airbnb in the city center they will cost from 1,500 to 2,123 rubles per day. There are apartments both more expensive and cheaper, but located far from the center.
You can search for an apartment on Avito. There, the choice of daily rental housing is much larger than on Airbnb, but the site does not provide any guarantees for its clients. You should not transfer an advance payment for an apartment that you have not yet seen. Arrange for a viewing and only then make a decision.
Excursions
Local guides will tell and show you the most interesting details about Khabarovsk. The sightseeing tour includes all the main attractions, because they contain the history of the city, which has shaped its modern appearance. You will pass monuments to E. Khabarov and N. N. Muravyov-Amursky , whose names stand at the origins of the city, you will see dozens of unique facades, architectural evidence of chronicles, and the incomparable Amur , whose flow is inextricably linked with the past and present of Khabarovsk.
The excursion does not take much time, but it will give a better understanding of what you would like to know and consider in more detail over 2 days in Khabarovsk, so it is better to contact it at the very beginning of the trip. If you have already been to the city, the guides will be happy to offer a narrower topic in which you will discover it from a new side.
All excursions around Khabarovsk on Experts Tourist. RU
What sights of Khabarovsk to see
Lenin Square
Address: st. Karl Marx, no. 56.
Photo: Beliakina Ekaterina / Shutterstock
This is the central square of Khabarovsk, from which it would be best to start a walking tour of the city. In the summer there are fountains, and in the evenings they turn on LEDs. In winter, the square is filled with ice and snow sculptures by participants in the Amur Crystal competition.
In 1873, when Khabarovsk was still called Khabarovka and the development of this territory was just beginning, a new cemetery was laid out on the site of Lenin Square. LENIN IN KHABAROVSK - instead of Innokentyevsky, which was close to the current embankment, very much in the center. In 1882, the new cemetery also had to be closed: the city was growing too quickly. In 1905, the square became the center of political events, and later the center of public life in Khabarovsk.
Now it is a walking area where it is nice to look at the fountains and eat ice cream. But when you stand on it, remember that in this very place there used to be a tent of a traveling circus, opponents of the tsarist government gave speeches, and even earlier human bones were buried.
Muravyov-Amursky Street
Photo: Konstantin Baidin / Shutterstock
It is called the city’s red line. The street, named after the founder of the city, Count Nikolai Muravyov, stretches from Lenin Square to the embankment. It incorporates a unique combination of architectural solutions: pre-revolutionary buildings stand side by side with Soviet buildings from different periods.
The best cafes are also located here. There are atmospheric coffee shops, Chinese restaurants, and burger joints. The most popular establishments among residents and guests of the city are those opened by Ronald and Jane, formerly Evgeniy and Olga, founders of the Khabarovsk cigar club. Their establishments are the Harley cabaret-saloon, the Italian pizzeria Vdrova, the Czech pub Pani Fasani, and the oriental restaurant Sultan Bazaar. Each place creates a unique atmosphere in which the food, drinks, interior and staff are immersed - real actors.
It is noteworthy that with their signs, establishments on the street do not worsen the impression of the architectural diversity of the buildings: local authorities are doing a lot to preserve this ensemble and not spoil it with banners.
Embankment
Address: st. Sovetskaya, Ussuriysky Boulevard.
Photo: Shiler / Shutterstock
Khabarovsk is one of the few cities in the Far East that has a long and beautiful walking area along the water. You can spend several hours here: just walk and enjoy the views of the Amur River, rollerblade and bike ride, listen to street musicians, look at the city from the Ferris wheel.
The embankment was one of the first in the city to receive a flood. Flood in the Far East in 2013 on the Amur in 2013. Then the water spilled over the lowlands of Khabarovsk, flooded residential buildings along the coastline and destroyed the amenities of the embankment. For several years it was closed to walks. During this time, it was further strengthened and finished with materials that are not afraid of water.
Cliff
Address: st. Shevchenko, 15.
Photo: Konstantin Baidin / Shutterstock
The building, which appears on the five thousand dollar bill, is located at the top of the embankment on a cliff. This is where the history of the city begins: in 1854, it was here that Count Muravyov-Amursky pointed his hand about what the old cliff was silent about, thereby outlining the location of the future city. However, long before the development of this territory by the Russians, the cliff was called the Old Woman's Mountain ("mother Khureeni") by the ancestors of the Nanai - the Golds, who inhabited the banks of the Amur, among other indigenous peoples. In the mountain, according to their ideas, there was a shaman’s dwelling.
The building itself on the top of the cliff appeared during the Great Patriotic War and was used to monitor the airspace. Nowadays, its observation deck offers views of the river below and the beautiful Khabarovsk sunsets, and inside there is a cultural museum, in the interior of which you can feel like a visitor to a secular salon of the century before last. Opposite the cliff stands a monument to Count Muravyov-Amursky.
Grodekov Museum
Address: st. Shevchenko, 11.
Photo: Beliakina Ekaterina / Shutterstock
The local history museum contains all the information about the history of the region, from the period of its development by indigenous peoples to the present day. It was opened back in Tsarist Russia through the efforts of the Amur Governor-General Nikolai Grodekov, who did a lot to educate local residents. At first, the museum was filled with exhibits donated by members of the Russian Geographical Society. Now there is everything you need to get acquainted with the history of the Khabarovsk Territory, even the skeleton of a fin whale, which was given to the museum by the owner of one of the first Far Eastern whaling fleets.
The museum's opening hours are on its website.
Spaso‑Preobrazhensky Cathedral
Address: st. Turgeneva, 24.
Photo: iztverichka / Shutterstock
One of the tallest Orthodox cathedrals in the country and the tallest in the Far East: the height of the domes is 83 meters, with crosses - up to 96 meters. Built according to the design of architects Yuri Zhivetyev, Nikolai Prokudin and Evgeny Semenov in 2001–2003. Divided into upper and lower temples, the observation deck offers views of the Amur Valley. Liturgies for Christmas and Easter are held here, from which video broadcasts are organized for all Orthodox residents of the Khabarovsk Territory.
Museum of the History of Amur bridge
Address: VOKhR, 1a.
Photo: Eva Mont / Shutterstock
To visit it you will have to travel far beyond the “red square”, but it is worth it. The main exhibit of the museum is a fragment of the “royal” bridge built in 1916, which was named Alekseevsky Museum of the History of the Amur Bridge in honor of the son of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II. There are also electric and diesel locomotives from the early 1900s, a tank from the century before last, and a retro station building has been erected. From here you can see the current Amur Bridge.
Khabarovsk Regional Musical Theater
Having celebrated its opening in 1926 with a production of Kalman's Silva, the theater remains one of the most significant centers of cultural life in Khabarovsk. Collaborating with masters of theatrical and musical art, the group creates enchanting original productions, boldly experimenting on stage. The theater's repertoire is multi-genre: classical operetta and folk comedy, musical and comic opera are created under the strict guidance of chief director B. Krichmar.
The attraction is located on the street. Karl Marx, 64. Ticket prices vary from 200-1500 rubles.
Where else to go in Khabarovsk
Architect's House
Address: st. Mostovaya, 2b.
Photo: Suvorov_Alex / Shutterstock
The unfinished building from which the photograph of the Amur Bridge for the five-thousandth banknote was taken. The structure has many names - the Crow's Nest, the House of the Architect, the Tower of Infidel - and is shrouded in many legends. According to one version, it was built by the NKVD for prison purposes, and the secret mission was to conduct experiments with chemical weapons: this was stated by the former owner of the building, Vladimir Oleinikov, who allegedly found equipment of unknown purpose and many barrels in the underground premises.
According to another version, the building was connected to a railway tunnel under the Amur, and the huge tanks located next to it were supposed to be filled with water and thrown into the tunnel in case of a fire. A legend arose that the architect of the tunnel built this house for himself - and committed suicide here when, on the appointed day, two teams digging underground from both sides did not converge at one point.
The real history of the purpose of the building is hidden under the heading of secrecy. One thing is certain: its construction was interrupted after the Great Patriotic War, during the conflict with the Japanese, when it became clear that the structure could become a good target for shelling. Now the building is surrounded by a fence, but there is access to the hill itself, and from there there is a gorgeous view of the Amur Bridge.
Khabarovsk Regional Philharmonic Society
Address: st. Shevchenko, 7.
Photo: Konstantin Baidin / Shutterstock
This is the home of the Far Eastern Symphony Orchestra, which has been performing under this name since 1966 and has become a legend far beyond the borders of the Far Eastern Federal District. For more than 80 years, the Khabarovsk Regional Philharmonic has hosted the country's leading orchestras, giving city performers the opportunity to perform, and every season the symphony orchestra comes up with something fundamentally new for listeners.
You can view the concert schedule on the Philharmonic website.
Center for Contemporary Art "Artservatory"
Address: st. Lev Tolstoy, no. 3.
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Here they talk in simple language about classical and contemporary art, place exhibitions of local and Western Russian artists, hold film screenings with professional analysis of what they saw, organize interactive exhibitions and sell cool merchandise with prints on the theme of Khabarovsk from young designers of the city.
The current schedule of exhibitions and planned events is available on the Artservatory’s Instagram page.
"Brosko Mall"
Address: st. Pionerskaya, 2v.
Photo: Brosko Mall Facebook group
The first European-style shopping center in Khabarovsk. It combines boutiques of world brands with the best stores of local entrepreneurs. But shopping is not the only thing to do here: visitors can listen to a performance by the Far Eastern Symphony Orchestra, attend a lecture on contemporary art, take part in a film screening, or simply read a book overlooking the Amur Valley.
You can view the schedule of upcoming events at Brosco Mall on the shopping center’s Instagram page.
City ponds
Address: Ussuriysky Boulevard.
Photo: Beliakina Ekaterina / Shutterstock
A walking area with three ponds and a green area carefully protected from interference by builders. An island of nature in the center of the city - however, Khabarovsk is already all covered with greenery, this is carefully monitored. The ponds have attractions for children, ice cream stands, and catamarans that you can ride on in the summer. There is a musical fountain on one of the ponds during the warm season, and a laser show is shown in the evenings.
Museum "World of Talking Machines"
Address: st. Frunze, 50.
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A private museum, one of the few in the Far East and generally the first music museum to open here. Born from the private collection of players and audio media of Andrey and Evgenia Veretennikov. In their opinion ABOUT THE MUSEUM, music during the development of the Far Eastern territories by settlers became the language in which people spoke with their native land. The museum's exposition is located in three halls: “Vintage”, “USSR” and “Disco”.
The museum is open to visitors upon private request. You can sign up for a tour through the contacts listed on the website.
What to bring from Khabarovsk
Red caviar
It has become one of the gastronomic symbols of the entire Far East. It is used in Far Eastern cuisine in restaurants, and at home it is simply spread on bread. Red caviar brought back from your trip is perfect proof that you have visited the harsh Far Eastern land. Red caviar is sold in many grocery stores in the city, as well as in the central market.
T-shirt with print from Khabarovsk designers
Respect the artist - take with you something with his work. In Khabarovsk, T-shirts, hoodies, and postcards with drawings by local designers are sold - an excellent reminder of the city both for you and for any resident of Khabarovsk who has left. You can buy city merchandise at the Artservatory or at the Plankton store.
Photo “like on a five thousand dollar bill”
You have a choice between two locations where you can take such a photo. Choose the side that you like best and go either to the cliff or to the hill near the Amur Bridge, where the House of the Architect is located.
Traditional souvenirs
The city sells souvenirs in the form of household items of the indigenous peoples of the Khabarovsk Territory. If you are inspired by the history of the development of this territory and you are impressed, for example, by Nanai symbolism, go to the “Secrets of Craft” store on Muravyova-Amursky.
