Kemerovo
Introduction
You will find Kemerovo situated at the confluence of the Iskitimka and Tom Rivers. As an industrial city and the administrative center of Kemerovo Oblast, it sits within a major coal mining region known as the Kuznetsk Basin.
Getting there
You can reach the city by air at Kemerovo International Airport, which accommodates flights from Moscow and Vladivostok, as well as charter flights from destinations such as Bangkok, Sanya, and Hurghada. To continue your journey from the airport, you can take a bus to the railway station.
Alternatively, you can arrive by train with direct routes connecting Kemerovo to several locations:
- Moscow
- Tashtagol
- Novosibirsk
Getting around
You can navigate the city using a variety of public transportation options, including buses, trams, and trolleybuses. For more direct travel, taxis are also available to transport you across different distances.
Where to stay
You can find a variety of accommodations throughout the city, with several options situated in central locations to provide easy access to local sights. These centrally located establishments include Hotel Kuzbass, Tom River Plaza Hotel, and Azimut Hotel Kristall.
If you prefer to stay outside the city limits, you can retreat into the taiga for a different experience at Park Hotel Graal or the hotel Tsarskiye Palaty.
Food & drink
You can choose from a wide variety of dining options throughout the city, including establishments serving Russian, European, and sushi cuisine.
If you are looking for local spirits, vodka is available, with the nearby town of Mariinsk recognized as a producer of the drink.
What to see and do
Explore the city center to visit various art galleries and museums, including those featuring zoological exhibits such as dinosaur skeletons and stuffed bears. You can visit the Archeology Ethnography and Ecology Museum of Siberia or the Krasnaya Gorka miners' museum. For a change of scenery, travel to the Kemerovo Botanical Garden to see tropical and desert life within an enclosed ecosphere, or head to the nearby Tomskaya Pisanitsa open-air museum to view petroglyphs and reconstructions of ancient dwellings.
Experience the local culture and history through these landmarks:
- Visit Lenin's Square to see the monument and enjoy the sights of the city center.
- View the Monument "In memory of the miners of Kuzbass" overlooking the Tom River, or visit the nearby Wonderland Park for greenery and small rides.
- Attend a performance at the Kemerovskiy Oblastnoy Teatr Dramy to see genuine Russian productions.
- Walk through Park Pobedy to see relics of military grandeur or explore the surrounding taiga forest.
- Take a tour of the massive strip mine outside the city that fueled Russia's industrial revolution.
- Experience local sports and entertainment, including hockey at the Khimik Stadium, bowling, and visiting night clubs.
When to go
You can experience a wide range of conditions under Kemerovo's humid continental climate. During the summer months, you will find the weather warm, while the winter season brings severely cold conditions.
Three days in Kemerovo
Day one, you arrive in the region and begin your journey by exploring the local surroundings. You can visit the Kemerovo Botanical Garden to see the diverse plant life or head toward the Tom Rivers to take in the scenery of the Siberian landscape.
Day two, you travel further into the area to experience the culture and history of the region. You can explore the Archeology Ethnography museum or visit the Ecology Museum to learn about the local environment and heritage.
Day three, you spend your final days viewing the monuments and landmarks in the city center. You can walk through the square to see the monument or find a peaceful spot near the Tomskaya Pisanitsa.