Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk
Trans-Siberian journeys between Moscow and either Vladivostok or Beijing will often include a stop at Irkutsk/Lake Baikal, but the three-day train ride between Moscow and Irkutsk can be broken up by stop(s) at
Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk or Krasnoyarsk. Other possible stops are
Perm, Tyumen, and Omsk.
Yekaterinburg lies just 40km from the boundary of Europe and Asia (marked by a monument that can be visited), and is notorious as the site of the murder of Csar Nicholas II and his wife and family in July, 1918, by Bolsheviks under the order of Lenin. Added notoriety was
gained in 1960 when the U2 spy plane of Gary Powers was shot down in this area (incident exhibited in the city's Military History Museum), and until the Soviet Union disintegrated Yekaterinburg was a closed city, strictly off limits to foreign tourists. Yekaterinburg's industry is centered on the mineral exploitation of the nearby Ural mountains, and several of the city's museums are dedicated to geology.
Novosibirsk is the biggest city of Siberia, with its own metro system, and
hallmark Opera and Ballet Theater. The Chapel of St Nicholas is considered
to be the geographical center of Russia. Novosibirsk is the gateway to the
Altay Republic, one of the most beautiful and pristine parts of Siberia,
great for rafting and horseback riding.
Krasnoyarsk has a pleasing center, with several 19th century buildings and museums. In summer, ferries can be taken from the city 30km up the Yenisey River to the Krasnoyarsk Reservoir.
SERVICES
Yekaterinburg:
Transfer from train station, 8-21, $24, night $32
Homestay: $33 single, $53 double
Walking city tour: $50
Excursion to Europe-Asia monument, $66 (1 per.)
Novosibirsk:
Transfer from train station: $44
Homestay: single $53, double $77
Krasnoyarsk:
Transfer from train station: $40
Homestay: single $49 double $77
