Moscow

Moscow

Location: Situated in the central part of the East European Plain, spanning both banks of the Moscow River, which stretches 502 kilometers in total. Population: Over 13 million. Area: 1,000 square kilometers; the city extends 30 kilometers from east to west and 40 kilometers from north to south. Time Difference: Russia is 5 hours behind China. Voltage: 220V, with three-pin round plugs. Communications: GSM; mobile phones from mainland China can be used on roaming. Currency: The currency of Russia is the ruble, but US dollars and euros are widely accepted in many places and can be easily exchanged—1 USD = 28–30 RUB, 1 CNY = 2.8–3 RUB. Area Code: 095. Key Attractions: Red Square, the Kremlin, etc. The Russian capital, Moscow, was founded in 1147 and has a history of over 800 years. Having undergone several major historical changes, the city is home to numerous historic sites. Red Square, the Kremlin, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are undoubtedly familiar to many. Other places such as Arbat Street, the Bolshoi Theatre, and the Tretyakov Gallery possess deep-rooted Russian cultural heritage. The city’s sculptures are distinctive, predominantly made of bronze—for example, the bronze statues of Yuri Dolgoruky and Lenin in Soviet Square, the statue of Pushkin in Pushkin Square, and the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the national heroes, located south of Red Square. As the political, economic, financial, scientific, and artistic center of Russia, the entire city revolves around Red Square and the Kremlin, enclosed by a ring road. As Russians themselves say, “Moscow is not just a city—it’s a world.” The city boasts 4,000 streets, nearly 100 higher education institutions, over 80 museums, more than 30 theaters, and around 4,000 libraries. Theaters and cinemas are found throughout the city, including world-renowned institutions such as the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian State Library, which houses 30 million volumes. You can hum “Moscow Nights,” munch on black bread, and cruise down the Moscow River; or enjoy ballet performances such as Swan Lake, admire Repin’s paintings, and listen to Tchaikovsky’s music in Moscow. With its unique charm, Moscow attracts visitors from all over the world.

Russia, Moscow