There are onions here! Call me St. Basil’s Cathedral. The fountains of Russia’s Summer Palace are breathtaking.

Text / Provided by Qidou Travel Network Photos / Provided by Xin’an Tourism

My first impression of Russia came from “Tetris.” What about you? Is it ballet, Russian dolls, vodka, or Tchaikovsky’s compositions? Or maybe the Russian spies in the movies? Russia may seem far away, but its long and rich history makes it worth visiting. Moscow and St. Petersburg are not to be missed.

When Russia is mentioned, colorful onion-domed buildings immediately come to mind, but few can name them. In fact, it’s St. Basil’s Cathedral, located next to Red Square in Moscow, and it is also the most distinctive landmark. In addition to St. Basil’s Cathedral, there is Lenin’s Mausoleum, together forming the facade of Red Square. UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 1990.

“Red,” in Old Russian, means “beautiful square,” and Red Square is a must-visit attraction when traveling to Russia. Many celebrations and ceremonies are held here, and on religious holidays, the cathedral often hosts Masses, with Muscovites gathering to receive the bishop’s blessings.

In the movie “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” the protagonist Ethan and Benji disguised themselves as officers and used fake sets to sneak into an underground secret archive, located right inside the Kremlin. This seemingly heavily guarded place is the palace of generations of tsars and also the oldest architectural complex in Moscow.

The Kremlin, symbolizing the highest power in Russia, is located next to Red Square. Within its towering walls are magnificent churches, palaces, towers, and squares, seemingly connected into a stirring symphony. It is also the essence of Moscow.

The Cathedral of the Assumption, located within the Kremlin, also features traditional onion domes. Its golden exterior shines brilliantly in the sunlight, seemingly declaring its lofty status. The cathedral was built between 1158 and 1160. In addition to the main building, there is also a bell tower and the Church of St. George. Looking up at the bell tower and the cross represents a long-standing culture and tradition, deeply etched into the hearts of travelers.

Russia’s St. Petersburg is home to many astonishing treasures. The Hermitage Museum, with over 3 million items in its collection, the Summer Palace with its dozens of fountains, and the Catherine Palace, built with vast amounts of pure gold—each one is worth a visit.

Comparable to Versailles, the “Peterhof Palace Gardens” feature some of the most beautiful garden palace designs, along with numerous fountains. These fountains are powered entirely by abundant groundwater, and their astonishing underground pipeline design allows them to flow naturally. Coupled with the complex palace architecture, it feels like heaven on earth.

Strolling through the Upper Garden and Lower Garden of Peterhof, you can see the grand central palace. Reflecting on the past, countless historical stories began and ended here. Today, the fountains still flow, the sun still shines brightly, and every journey is a new beginning. This place will be one of your most unforgettable memories.

More related information
Recommended itinerary: [Korean Air - Golden Russia 10-Day Tour] Moscow, St. Petersburg, Golden Ring, dual entry points, premium five-star. Choose Korean Air, transfer via Incheon, South Korea, and fly directly to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Enter via Moscow, exit via St. Petersburg, no backtracking, maximizing your travel time. No need to fear how vast the Russian territory is.
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