Sakhalin

Sakhalin Oblast is a region of the Russian Far East, completely located on islands, with a capital in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The region is washed by the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean.

Sakhalin is one of the largest islands in Russia, stretching for 948 km from north to south and separated from the mainland by Tatar Strait. The archipelago of the Kuril Islands stretches for 1,200 kilometers from north to south, between Kamchatka and Hokkaido. The region’s unique natural resources feature spa and thermal springs, deposits of curing mud, volcanoes, thirty-nine active ones, waterfalls, monuments of archaeology, as well as over 1,000 cultural and historical heritage objects. The highest waterfall in Russia, Iljya Muromets (141 m), is located on Iturup Island, part of the Kuril Islands. Tyuleny Island is a unique nature reserve with a rookery of fur seals. What makes the region particularly attractive is its fusion (Russian and Korean) cuisine, abounding with fish and seafood. Fishing and fish processing represent 30% of the region’s total industrial activity, while the Kuril Basin and Sea of Okhotsk are some of the richest fisheries in the world, providing about 50% of the total seafood supply for the former Soviet Union countries.

Federal subject:
Sakhalin Oblast
GPS coordinates:
51°N 143°E
Area:
72,492 square km
Population:
498,000
The highest point:
Lopatina Mount (1609 m)
The most visited nature sight:
Busse Lake
Climate:
Humid continental, subarctic
Language:
Russian, Korean, Nivkh

LAKE BUSSE — MARINE DELICACIES

Busse Lake is one of the most delicious and unforgettable places on Sakhalin Island. Giant oysters, scallops, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs, trumpeter and many other species
live here in this unique place. During the visit, you will be able to collect and try almost the whole variety of Sakhalin seafood, prepared by a professional chef right on the shore
of the lake. This is one of the most amazing and delicious adventures with a stunning view of the Aniva Bay, the beautiful landscapes of the Tonino-Aniva Peninsula, marine mammals
and birds.
ANIVA LIGHTHOUSE

Located on a chunk of rock in the southern part of Sakhalin Island, the lighthouse Aniva used to guide ships in the dangerous foggy area full of underwater currents and ocean
banks. The concrete round tower with nine floors was built in 1939 by the Japanese when the island belonged to Japan. It takes around 1.5 hours to get to Aniva by boat, but the trip
is totally worth it. The views over the volcanic hills, waterfalls and the grandiose structure of the lighthouse are breathtaking. If you are lucky, you may get to see killer whales or sea
lions. And once you climb to the top of Aniva you will feel like the conqueror of the world.
ITURUP WHITE CLIFFS

Located on Iturup, the largest and northernmost island of the Kuril ridge, the White Cliffs are pumice rock formations stretching for 28 km along the coastline. Formed a long
time ago as a result of volcanic eruptions, the cliffs have gradually acquired their present bizarre shapes due to an erosion process. The pure white color and unusual shapes
of the cliffs against the dark gray volcanic sands create a strikingly beautiful landscape that never fails to impress visitors with emerald green Kuril bamboo and the harsh
stormy sea.
MONERON ISLAND

A small, unpopulated island southwest of Kholmsk, popular with divers, snorkellers, and bird watchers. It is Russia’s first marine park, owing its existence to an array of underwater reliefs and the warm Tsusimskoye current that ensues an abundance of underwater wildlife, subtropical species and some fantastic plants. Although poaching is an increasing problem
for this natural environment, it is worth to visit, and often has 30-40 meters of visibility. Above the water, the scenery is quite enchanting with dramatic rock formations, waterfalls,
rocky canyons and alpine meadows. The island has numerous bird colonies and is a breeding ground for sea lions.

MEGA PALACE HOTEL

Number of rooms: 108
Distance to the city centre: 3 km
Distance to the airport: 12 km
Address: 4 Detskaya str., Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, 693000

MEGA PALACE is a renowned four-star hotel, chosen by all politicians and celebrities who visit Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. It is located in the ecologically clean area beneath the Susunaiskiy Mountain Ridge, in close proximity to a large lake and the region’s major alpine resort. This four-star hotel has an extensive infrastructure: three restaurants serving European, Japanese, Chinese and Korean cuisines, a lobby bar, the best nightclub in the city, a banquet and a conference halls, a fitness centre, a wellness & SPA complex.
SAKHALIN SAPPORO HOTEL

Number of rooms: 80
Distance to the city centre: 2 km
Distance to the airport: 10 km
Address: 181 Lenin str., Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, 693000

SAKHALIN SAPPORO Hotel is located in the business district of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, close to the Local Lore Museum and the Drama Theatre, within a 5-minutes drive from the international airport, and 5 minutes walk from the railway station. All rooms feature the following amenities: minibars, in-room safes, telephones, TV, air-conditioner, hair-dryers, toiletry, Wi-Fi, kettles and coffee machines. The hotel’s infrastructure includes a restaurant serving Russian and European cuisines, a lobby bar, a business centre, laundry, private parking, room-service.
BELKA HOTEL

Number of rooms: 46
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 11 km
Address: 29B Khabarovskaya street, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, 693010

BELKA Hotel was designed by Japanese architects. It is located in the business area of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, near the SAHINTSENTR International Business Partnership centre, Museum of Local Lore, a theatre, a shopping mall, Gagarin Leisure and Entertainment Park and a number of cinemas. Rooms feature all amenities necessary for enjoyable stay – air conditioning, a minibar, Wi-Fi Internet access; private bathrooms are equipped with showers, hair-dryers, bathrobes and slippers. The hotel’s facilities include a restaurant, a SPA, a sauna with cedar cask, Jacuzzi bathtub and massage room.
GAGARIN HOTEL

Number of rooms: 64
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 11 km
Address: 133 Komsomolskaya street, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, 693010

GAGARIN Hotel is located in a green area right in the centre of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The airport is only within a 15-minutes’ drive. All rooms feature a large bed, a desk, a coffee table, a minibar, free WiFi, a TV with more than 100 channels, a wardrobe, a private bathroom with bathrobes, slippers and toiletries. The hotel’s infrastructure includes two restaurants and two bars, a karaoke, a conference hall, a sauna, a swimming pool. Laundry services are available for extra charge.
RUBIN HOTEL

Number of rooms: 33
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 10 km
Address: 85 Chekhov str., Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, 693007

RUBIN Hotel is located in the business district of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The city centre is within a 5-minutes’ drive from the hotel, where visitors can explore the Sakhalin Regional Art Museum and Gagarin Park. Rooms are fitted with all necessary conveniences, including a kitchen, a flat-screen TV and a spacious bathroom with bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries. The hotel’s services and amenities: a restaurant and a pub serving European and American cuisine, a SPA and a gym, laundry services, private parking, a luggage room, a tanning studio and a beauty salon.
STRAWBERRY HILLS HOTEL

Number of rooms: 80
Distance to the city centre: 4 km
Distance to the airport: 7 km
Address: 2 Solnechnogo Sveta str., Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, 693013

STRAWBERRY HILLS Hotel is located in an ecologically clean area of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The airport can be reached within a 10-minutes’ drive, the city business centre – within 15 minutes. All rooms feature a bed, a desk, a minibar, a kettle, 2 armchairs and coffee table, Wi-Fi Internet access, cable TV, air conditioning, a tea set, hair-dryer, toiletries, slippers, and bathrobe. Dental kit, iron and ironing board are available upon request. The hotel’s amenities include a restaurant, two bars, a fitness centre for extra charge, a solarium, a nail salon, laundry, a mini market right outside the hotel, a conference hall.
YUBILEYNAYA HOTEL

Number of rooms: 42
Distance to the city centre: 2 km
Distance to the airport: 11 km
Address: 10 Altaysky lane, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, 693010

YUBILEYNAYA is a modern and comfortable three-star hotel in the centre of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. All rooms are individually designed and feature satellite TV (Russian, English, Japanese, Korean channels), private bathrooms, toiletry and hair-dryers, Internet access, a fridge and a minibar, a terrace or a balcony. Rooms for non-smokers are offered by request. Some rooms are equipped with kitchens. Apartment rooms feature a jacuzzi. He hotel’s amenities include a beauty salon, a conference hall and a business centre, a wellness centre with a Russian sauna, a pool, massage services, and billiards.
TAINY KAMCHATKI HOTEL

Number of rooms: 18
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 37 km
Address: Yelizova street 6, Paratunka, Russia 684034

TAINY KAMCHATKI is a 3.5-star inn, located in a picturesque area close to Paratunka hot springs and skiing facilities, and within one-hour drive from major Kamchatka attractions. Tainy Kamchatki Hotel has 18 individually furnished and decorated cabins, fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a minibar, a kettle, and private bathrooms with showers, bathrobes, slippers, toiletries and hairdryers. The hotel offers the following services and amenities: daily housekeeping, two outdoor pools, a restaurant serving traditional Russian and local cuisine, particularly seafood, 24-hour room service, laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, a gift shop, a tour desk, free Wi-Fi and free parking.