Nakhodka

Nakhodka (Russian: Нахо́дка, nah-KHOHT-kuh) is a port city in Primorsky Krai. Its name means 'discovery' in Russian. == Understand == Nakhodka Bay was discovered in 1859 by a Russian corvette seeking shelter during a storm. The name is best translated as "lucky find". A small fishing village was founded in 1907, and got city rights in 1950. Unlike Vladivostok, Nakhodka was never a closed city, and the city's economy suffered a downturn when the biggest city was opened to foreign trade. Russia designated the city a "free economic zone," a variation on China's very successful Special Economic Zones, which could attract large-scale foreign investment. It is the location of the port Vostochniy, the largest port in Russian Far East, and an oil-terminal for Sakhalin projects. == Get in == === By train === Direct trains come from Khabarovsk every other day in cold season. In hot season they arrive daily. Don't be confused if the destination in your ticket would be read as 'Tikho'okeanskaya' (Тихоокеанская, "Pacific Ocean's") because it's 1 the main railway station. The station 'Nakhodka' is up north and serves commuter purposes mostly. Elektrichkas bound for Vladivostok and Partizansk depart 3 times a day: in the morning, at midday and in the evening. === By plane === From Vladivostok International Airport at Artyom, 50 km north of Vladivostok, one can order a taxi for 2000-2500 руб. The trip that takes 3 hours. Public buses leave Artyom's bus stop, at the right hand of the airport square. === By bus === The 2 bus station (Avtovokzal) is in the city's center, near the railway station Barkhatnaya (Бархатная). Taking a bus to the capital Vladivostok is possible every 40 min and the time of travel lasts 4 hours. Bus #601 (Nakhodka-Ussuriysk) with a stop in Artyom goes three times a day. == Get around == The city spreads along the harbor for more than 40 km. The central street is Nakhodkinskii Prospekt, along the shoreline. Common public transport in Nakhodka is taxi and public buses. Taxi usually charge for a period of time: 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour (200 руб). == See == 1 Nakhodka Museum and Expo Center (Находка Музейно-Выставочный центр), 6, Vladivostokskaya St, ☏ +7 4236 65-53-90. The museum has two exhibition rooms, a children's museum, a "museum on rollers", an art salon, and a music hall. 2 Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan (Собор Казанской Иконы Божией Матери), Nakhodinskii Prospekt 33, ☏ +7 4236686181. Reportedly, a silent and pleasant atmosphere of spiritual vibes. (updated Sep 2020) 3 Stone of Friendship monument (Памятник Камень Дружбы), Nakhodinskii Prospekt. Beautiful view of the bay and the cathedral; the monument itself is unkempt and derelict. Free. 4 Sorrowful Mother memorial (Скорбящая мать). A sculpted memorial with great city views and few people. Reportedly, the area is unkempt, with garbage and rubbish all around. Free. (updated Sep 2020) === Viewpoints === In the 1980s several viewpoints were built on the main street, with views to port and hills. 5 Viewpoint (city bus or taxi). (updated Aug 2022) 6 Viewpoint Astafieva cape. (updated Aug 2022) 7 View to mountains to north (city bus 7 or taxi). (updated Aug 2022) 8 View to sea and shores from road to beach (walk by dirt road from city bus line). (updated Aug 2022) == Do == 1 Burevestnik (Буревестник), Nakhodinskii Prospekt, 12, ☏ +7 9147184686. Movie theater. (updated Sep 2020) 2 Forest Beach (Пляж Лесная) (city bus 6 or taxi to Lesnaya stop, then walk with map by dirt roads). A wild, spacious beach, with sandy and rocky spots, and clean water. Free. (updated Sep 2020) 3 Zov Tigra National Park (206 km NE of Nakhodka), ☏ +7 423 772-01-89. The first protected area established in Russia's Far East to help conserve the Siberian tiger and other species, only portions of the 200,000 acre (82,000 hectare) national park are accessible to the public. Visitors must be accompanied by park rangers. (updated Dec 2021) == Buy == 1 House of Books (Книжный дом), Ulitsa Gagarina 8, ☏ +7 4236634111. Book store, very well-reviewed by the locals. (updated Sep 2020) == Eat == 1 Pizza Prosto, Prospekt Mira 65/1, ☏ +7 4236799111. Good pizza, good coffee and free WiFi. (updated Sep 2020) 2 Tokio Sushi Bar, Prospekt Mira 2, ☏ +7 4236617777. Good reviews from the locals. (updated Sep 2020) 3 Zell, Ulitsa Postysheva, 14а, ☏ +7 4236903904. Korean cuisine restaurant. (updated Sep 2020) 4 Cafes and restaurants in Mega Nakhodka mall. (updated Aug 2022) == Drink == 1 Panda (Панда), Nakhodkinskiy Prospekt, 51 (inside Yuan' Dun Hotel), ☏ +7 914 709 78 87. M-F 11ː00-23ː00, Sa-Su 11ː00-00ː00. Chinese restaurant/bar with the occasional live entertainment. 2 Docker Pub, Nakhodkinskiy Prospekt, 107, ☏ +7 423 662 22 00. daily noon-midnight. Brews and burgers and sausages and that kind of stuff. (updated Feb 2021) International Marine Club (Империя), 22, Leninskaya st, ☏ +7 423 665 62 50. May need a special invite but functions at times as a karaoke bar. == Sleep == Nakhodka is amongst the most frequented cities in Russian Far East and there is over 40 hotels and more is under construction. You can pick a hotel in the city or get out to rest at the numerous bases along the sea. === Budget === === Mid-range === 1 Syuan Yuan Hotel (Сюань Юань), 32, Malinovskogo St (at the 'Chinese Wall' close to the bus station), ☏ +7 4236 64-09-84. A hotel in Chinese-style. 2 Pyramid Hotel (Пирамид-Отель), 2, Vladivostokskaya St (close to the museum), ☏ +7 423 665-97-50, fax: +7 4236 65-98-94, hotelpyramida@hotmail.com. Check-out: 12:00. US$70-154. === Splurge === 3 Hotel Gorizont (Горизонт), 1, Sportivnaya St, gorizont_hotel@mail.ru. The most luxurious hotel in the city. 4 Hotel Rent (Рент), 27, Pogranichnaya St, ☏ +7 42366 59910, fax: +7 4236 647305. 5 Hotel Nadezhda (Надежда), 3, Administrativny gorodok, ☏ +7 964 453-09-85. $38. 6 Bumerang Hotel (Бумеранг), 44a, Nakhodkinskii Prospekt, ☏ +7 4236 63-49-63. Hotel Mercury (Гостиница Меркурий), Shosseinaya 52, ☏ +7 9147120086, merkury_71@mail.ru. 28$. (updated Feb 2024) == Go next == Vladivostok Lisiy Island. Brother and Sister Hills.