Khabarovsk lies on the right bank of the mighty river, 40 km below the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri.  These two rivers form a natural setting for a borderline between Russia and China.   A number of river islets near Khabarovsk that occupy all total 450 sq. km in the area between the Amur main channel and Amur tributary, into which the Ussuri River flows, were the subject of the Chinese long-cherished lust.   In the beginning of 2005 Kremlin presented a part of our territory to China.  Many local citizens didn't agree with it’s decision, therefore sometimes "gloomy clouds are gathering over the Amur-River" (from a popular song).

In spite of this and absence of necessary care by the Kremlin officialdom, Khabarovites love their hometown dearly and most of them don't even think about resettling oversees.  Ample sunny days, pure and fresh air in the city thanks to constant winds from the Amur basin - natural wind tunnel, - and, of course, residents themselves, ordinary and cordial people, - all these values strongly hold us back here.   Old father Amur is arguably the main point of attraction and influence, both moral and physical effects any open-hearted individual.    The river near Khabarovsk is 2 kilometers wide and its mouth is over 5 kilometers.   The current of the waters is so strong that it is practically impossible to swim against the stream.   Amur is the only longitudinal river in the Russian federation flowing eastward.   Up to date about 110 species of fish has been found here.  As for the river level, it can vary in the range of up to 8-10 meters.   Floods occur here in July-August when Chinese peasants drain water from rice fields and monsoons (the season of heavy rains) come.

The climate in Khabarovsk is pleasant all year round with the exception of hot and humid late in the summer and freezing days with biting winds in winter.  Therefore only the strong-willed can survive here.  But when the autumn comes with bright colors and fragrance in the air the city turns into a delightful realm of poetic images and the cold of winter and heat of summer seem so far away and so unreal.   The beauties and gifts of the enchanted Far-Eastern taiga (forest) fill you with joy and fascination, as if, it knowingly pays you back with great variety of delicious and rich in vitamins endemics.   Once in a while the Ussuri tiger, a master of taiga, pops in for a short visit to the suburban area, but always the man and the animal enjoy each other from the distance. 

The central part of the city is located on the three hills stretching out riverbound.    Alongside the hills three main streets of Khabarovsk downtown - Lenin, Marx and Seryshev - are situated.   Not so long ago the original pre-revolution name of Count Muravyov-Amursky has been given back to the historical part of the central thoroughfare (K.Marx street).   And as a compromise the longest part of the street lasts to bear the name of Marx.  The dividing point between these two parts of the street is Lenin plaza - the heart of the city and the preferable place of work for officials (the Regional government building sits here) and of rest for townsfolk.   This is where gorgeous fountains catch your eye!  On the left and on the right of Muraviev-Aamursky there are Lenin street and Seryshev street.  In between those three hills sit two ravines, where the huge creeks used to run into Amur.   Khabarovites called them rivers and named them Cherdimovka and Plyusninka in honor of two prominent merchants, famous for charity.   Later those creeks were driven underground and two beautiful boulevards were built instead.   Amursky and Ussuriysky. Authorities and citizens alike take pride in the city preserving its' history.

Presently, a lot of reconstructing, upgrading and building going on. Improvements to the city are aimed to make life more comfortable and significant.  That's why many Russian orthodox churches have been restored and built, thus narrowing spiritual gap and restoring historical memory.   But, you can also find a protestant church, mosque or a synagogue here in town.  Still, the golden domes of orthodox churches are dominant in the downtown landscape. 

At the riverfront there is a monument to Nikolai Zadornov, a well-known Russian writer.   It was erected in 1998 commemorating 140th anniversary of Khabarovsk.   N. Zadornov wrote good books about exploration of the Amur-River by Russians.   Thanks to his books, the history of numerous expeditions to the Amur region has become known not only to Khabarovites, but all over the country and endearing name of the Amur-Father he heard among local fishermen became familiar to present generation.   And today he is sitting in bronze on the bank of his favorite river and looking with interest into the future.  On week-ends young Khabarovites like to have their pictures taken while sitting in his laps. 

There is no subway in Khabarovsk and the residents never mind traveling the distance on foot, by public transportation or private motor vehicles.  Khabarovites, due to the vastness of the land they live on, have peculiar sense of distance and measure, they like to say:  "One hundred kilometers is not much of a distance, one hundred rubles is not much of money, the one-hundred-year-old is not an old woman".   Annually thousands of Khabarovsk families take a train to Vladivostok area and cover 800 km to find themselves enjoying the ocean to spend their holidays and rubles.

Khabarovsk meets a new day 7 hours earlier than the capital.   It is a very important factor, isn't it?  However, the remoteness and isolation from the central region of Russia shouldn't be measured only geographically.   Paradoxically, but true to the fact that for some reason it is much cheaper to bring Korean or Japanese goods to Khabarovsk from Moscow, than from neighboring Korea and Japan.  Not so long ago, Muscovites could buy salmon caught in the Khabarovsk region paying less than far-easterners despite a 9000 km distance the frozen tender meat fish should travel to get to a Moscow supermarket shelf.   So, the old saying "Overseas a heifer costs a quarter, but transportation does a ruble" was turned thereby into an anachronism.

You'll feel at home here and be hosted by the team of professionals.  You'll be offered anything you need to deliver successful business at our fairs.   There are plenty of places where you can stay in Kabarovsk. The hotels like Parus, lntourist or oriental dragon hotel are in the vicinity of the fair. You decide whether you'll enjoy oriental luxury, a posh presidential suite or a standard room facing the magnificent Amur-River.  Curious enough to visit a church? There are two of them in the neighborhood. The Novo-Innokentievsky church, next to the Intourist hotel will toll its' bells to soothe our souls. 

From Khabarovsk with love!

ArkPhoto