Witness God's Fireworks in Russia～the Aurora, an Adventure to the World's Polar Capital～

Text provided by Qidou Travel Network; Images from Giant Travel and shutterstock.com

Chasing the magical aurora is a universal dream. But auroras aren't found only in Alaska—the breathtaking auroras over Russia’s polar capital are truly one of a kind!

Murmansk, Russia, is the world’s northernmost major city, located over 300 kilometers within the Arctic Circle, and is also known as the "Polar Capital of the World." Legend has it that taking a deep breath of the Arctic Ocean air can wash away a year’s worth of worries—how can you not come and explore this place?

Ride the Murmansk tram to the city’s highest point and gaze down at the beauty of the "Polar Capital of the World," especially at night when you can not only admire the glittering, neon-lit cityscape but also look up at the night sky, waiting for God's fireworks—the aurora—to appear.

When charged particles from the solar wind follow the Earth’s magnetic field lines toward the magnetic poles and collide with atoms in the atmosphere, the energy released by these electrons produces a visible beam of light—the aurora. In Finnish, the aurora is called "revontulet," meaning "fox fire," which is related to local folklore; and it’s widely believed that seeing the aurora will bring you happiness for a lifetime.

Murmansk is one of the world’s four major ice-free ports. Although it lies at about 68 degrees within the Arctic Circle, the influence of the North Atlantic Current keeps its harbor ice-free all year round, allowing for year-round navigation. Here, be sure to visit the Murmansk Regional Museum, the Lenin nuclear-powered icebreaker docked at the port, and the Kursk Memorial—each site is steeped in fascinating history.

Aside from the mountainous areas near Murmansk, you can also chase the aurora at the ski resort in the nearby Khibiny Mountains—Kirovsk. With its pristine land, prime location, and absence of light pollution at night, Kirovsk is an ideal spot to view the aurora. When the aurora lights up the sky, it paints the night with dazzling brilliance, creating memories travelers will never forget.

At Kirovsk, this popular resort destination, the charming Snow Village offers a captivating world of silver-white snow. Navigate through a massive snow maze, stroll and admire creative themed ice sculptures, or enjoy thrilling activities like snow donuts, banana boat rides, and wild snowmobile rides.

A trip to the north wouldn’t be complete without trying the traditional Russian sauna, once beloved by Peter the Great. The Russian banya, along with the Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, and Japanese onsen, is known as one of the “World’s Four Great Baths”! In a Russian sauna, birch branches are tied together to gently whip the body from head to toe, believed to massage the body and improve blood circulation. At the Sámi ethnic village, enjoy Sámi cuisine, visit Sámi tribes, ride a reindeer sleigh or a husky dog sled, and immerse yourself in local customs and culture.

A journey through Russia wouldn’t be complete without visiting its capital, Moscow? Moscow has witnessed the transitions of three political systems: imperial rule, Soviet rule, and the presidential system. Especially the Red Square, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, is a once-in-a-lifetime must-see attraction: the towering, colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral, the GUM department store to the east, the red-brick Kremlin walls with its 20 uniquely shaped towers... every spot is iconic.

More related information
Recommended itinerary: Magical Aurora—10-Day Fairy Tale Polar Adventure in Russia
Giant Travel (02)2562-3859
Website:http://www.gianttour.com.tw