<strong>Sakhalin: </strong>Sakhalin is Russia's largest island. It's a 1,000-kilometer-long strip of land off the east coast of Russia and just north of Japan.
Sakhalin: Sakhalin is Russia's largest island. It's a 1,000-kilometer-long strip of land off the east coast of Russia and just north of Japan.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Military Museum: </strong>Most travelers will begin their visit in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the capital. This museum sits in Victory Square.
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Military Museum: Most travelers will begin their visit in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the capital. This museum sits in Victory Square.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Cathedral of the Nativity:</strong> The military museum sits beside the golden-domed Cathedral of the Nativity, which was completed in 2016.
Cathedral of the Nativity: The military museum sits beside the golden-domed Cathedral of the Nativity, which was completed in 2016.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Around Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk:</strong> At first glance it looks like many other Russian provincial cities, but Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk's modest dimensions and broad avenues make for a surprisingly pleasant stroll.
Around Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk: At first glance it looks like many other Russian provincial cities, but Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk's modest dimensions and broad avenues make for a surprisingly pleasant stroll.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Great Patriotic War:</strong> As in the rest of Russia, World War II (or the Great Patriotic War as it is known to Russians) is remembered here with special devotion.
Great Patriotic War: As in the rest of Russia, World War II (or the Great Patriotic War as it is known to Russians) is remembered here with special devotion.
Miquel Ros
<strong>War memorial:</strong> However, for Sakhalin WWII has an added significance. In 1945, the city became Russian again after four decades of Japanese rule, when the island was known as Karafuto and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk as Toyohara.
War memorial: However, for Sakhalin WWII has an added significance. In 1945, the city became Russian again after four decades of Japanese rule, when the island was known as Karafuto and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk as Toyohara.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Japanese legacy:</strong> The legacy of Japanese rule can still be seen in the architecture of buildings such as the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.sakhalinmuseum.ru%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sakhalin Regional Museum</a>.
Japanese legacy: The legacy of Japanese rule can still be seen in the architecture of buildings such as the Sakhalin Regional Museum.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Vzmorye: </strong>This Japanese-style torii gate is found on a hillside near the town of Vzmorye.
Vzmorye: This Japanese-style torii gate is found on a hillside near the town of Vzmorye.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Seafood: </strong>You're never far from the sea in Sakhalin -- the island is just 25 kilometers wide at its narrowest point.
Seafood: You're never far from the sea in Sakhalin -- the island is just 25 kilometers wide at its narrowest point.
Miquel Ros
<strong>King crab: </strong>The seafood star here is the giant red king crab, a monstrous-looking creature which lives in the waters of the Northern Pacific and is exported the world over.
King crab: The seafood star here is the giant red king crab, a monstrous-looking creature which lives in the waters of the Northern Pacific and is exported the world over.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Beaches: </strong>The coastline is long and dramatic. This beach is on the eastern side of Sakhalin, between Starodubskoye and Vzmorye.
Beaches: The coastline is long and dramatic. This beach is on the eastern side of Sakhalin, between Starodubskoye and Vzmorye.
Miquel Ros
<strong>White and gold:</strong> Amber deposits are often washed into shore on the island's east coast.
White and gold: Amber deposits are often washed into shore on the island's east coast.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Bukhta Tikhaya: </strong>Some 140 kilometers up the east coast from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, this tranquil, secluded spot is Bukhta Tikhaya, which is Russian for "Quiet Bay." <br />
Bukhta Tikhaya: Some 140 kilometers up the east coast from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, this tranquil, secluded spot is Bukhta Tikhaya, which is Russian for "Quiet Bay."
Miquel Ros
<strong>Elephant Island: </strong>This huge humped rock is known as Elephant Island and is in the waters off Bukhta Tikhaya.
Elephant Island: This huge humped rock is known as Elephant Island and is in the waters off Bukhta Tikhaya.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Opening up:</strong> For all the charms of solitude, Sakhalin may be about to become a busier place, thanks to recent visa relaxations.
Opening up: For all the charms of solitude, Sakhalin may be about to become a busier place, thanks to recent visa relaxations.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Getting there: </strong>Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk's international airport has daily connections to Moscow, Tokyo, Seoul and Sapporo, as well as several other regional outposts.
Getting there: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk's international airport has daily connections to Moscow, Tokyo, Seoul and Sapporo, as well as several other regional outposts.
Miquel Ros