This Far Eastern Russian city sits near the Chinese border, where the Amur River flows between mountains. Military bases, transport links and river cruises shape its daily life.
Khabarovsk, the largest city in the Russian Far East, sits at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri Rivers, 30 kilometers from the Chinese border. Walk through Muravyov-Amursky Street to find local cafes serving borscht and pelmeni, or visit the Grodekov Museum to see mammoth skeletons and artifacts from indigenous Nanai people. In winter, watch ice sculptors create intricate art pieces in the city squares, while summer brings locals to the waterfront park for riverside picnics with views of China's shores.
Climate and Seasons
Khabarovsk's weather shifts distinctly through the seasons. July brings warm temperatures of 21.4°C (70.5°F) with frequent rain showers. Winters turn cold and dry, with January temperatures of -19.2°C (-2.6°F), sometimes reaching -40°C (-40°F). March sees fluctuating temperatures as spring arrives, while autumn maintains steady, mild weather patterns.
Getting Around Khabarovsk
You can travel across the city using 8 tram routes and 4 trolleybus lines. For more flexibility, take one of the 100 marshrutka (fixed-route taxi) routes. From Khabarovsk Novy Airport, you can fly to cities in East Asia, Southeast Asia, European Russia, and Central Asia.
Central District and Main Streets
Walk from Lenin Square to Utyos on Amur via Muravyov-Amursky Street to experience the city's main shopping and dining area. Find local craft shops selling birch bark items and amber jewelry, alongside cafes serving Russian dumplings and local fish dishes. The 19th-century merchant buildings along the street maintain their original architectural details, with carved window frames and decorative facades.
Religious and Cultural Buildings
The Spaso-Transfiguration Cathedral reaches 35 feet into the sky, making it Russia's third tallest church. Look for its golden domes glinting in the sunlight across the cityscape. At the Khabarovsk Art Museum, you'll find Russian Orthodox icons dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. The Grodekov Local History Museum displays archaeological finds from ancient settlements and exhibits about the region's indigenous peoples.
Natural Environment
The forests around Khabarovsk support both northern and southern wildlife. Brown bears roam the taiga, while Amur tigers hunt in the dense undergrowth. Himalayan bears climb the Korean pine trees for nuts. In the rivers, you might spot fishermen catching Siberian sturgeon or taimen salmon. The Mar Kyuel Plateau contains limestone caves with underground streams and rock formations shaped by centuries of water erosion.
Winter Activities
Ice sculptors, including visiting artists from Harbin, China, transform city squares into outdoor galleries from December to March. You can ice skate on outdoor rinks, watch Amur Khabarovsk play hockey at the Platinum Arena, or try cross-country skiing in nearby forest trails.
