Novosibirsk

OVERVIEW
Population - 1.43 million
Local time- GMT +6
Average daily temperature: January -20; July +20
Distance from
Moscow: 3343 km
Vladivostok: 5955 km
By train: from Moscow 46 hr
By air: from Moscow 4 hr

Novosibirsk is the largest city of Siberia and its sci–entific center. The Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and branches of the Medical and Agricultural Academies are located here. This is the non-official capital of the Western Siberia. Its 1st centenary was celebrated in 1993.

When established it was a settlement of the workers who constructed the Tran Siberian railroad. From 1895 till 1925, it was called Novonikolayevsk. That name meant, new town named after Nikolai (the Russian Emperor Nicholas II). The present name of the city means a "new city of Siberia" in Russian.

HIGHLIGHTS & SIGHTSEEING
Historical and Architectural
The Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre is called the «Siberian Bolshoi Theatre». The Local Lore Museum presents the history of the city and the region. Great opportunity to enjoy Siberian landscapes and to see typical Siberian village of Kolyvan where a nunnery and a small candle-making factory are offered to be visited.
Culture
Akademgorodok (The Scientists' City) is well known to scientists all over the world. It is a complex of research insti–tutes, situated 28 km from the center of Novosibirsk among a natural green forest.
The Picture Gallery contains a rich collection of Russian and foreign art including new exposition of traditional Siberian icon-paintings. The Picture Gallery is famous for its big collection of Roerich paintings displayed there.
Nature
Novosibirsk is the nearest big city to the geographical center of Russia placed on the picturesque banks of the wide and beautiful Ob River. The unique collection of the geological museum of the Scientists' City attracts atten–tion of many tourists. More information about the natural peculiarities of the region is available at the flora and fauna Museum in Novosibirsk.

Ethnography and Crafts
The open-air Museum of Ethnography is located on the bank of the Ob River in Novosibirsk. Ancient stone idols are on display in the museum. The Zashiverskaya wooden church built without a single nail is exposed at the Museum of the Archeological Institute of the Russian Academy of Science (the Scientists' City). A lovely collection of articles made of birch bark will impress you at the Birch Bark Folk-crafts Museum that can be visited during the city tour.
Novosibirsk is Russia’s third largest city, after Moscow and St Petersburg and it was founded in 1893 as the future site of the Trans-Siberian railway bridge that crosses the great Siberian river Ob. The Zoo of Novosibirsk is a world-renowned zoo and a popular tourist attraction to the city.

With a population of 1.5 million, Novosibirsk is one the five largest cities in Russia. Established in 1893 as the future site of a railroad bridge crossing the great Siberian river Ob, it officially became a town in 1903. During first few decades, Novosibirsk was called Novonikolaevsk. The original name refers to Nicolas II (Nikolay II Alexandrovich Romanov), the last Emperor of Russia. With the beginning of the Soviet history, in 1925 the city was renamed to Novosibirsk meaning "New Siberia" and soon after becomes the chief industrial, cultural and academic center of Siberia. Manufacturing includes mining equipment, turbines, textiles, chemicals, heavy machine tools, metallurgy production. It is the home of one of Russia's best universities, a number of institutes and a scientific research center. Novosibirsk boasts opera and ballet companies, several theaters, museums, and art galleries, and numerous sports facilities. In 1985 the city opens first subway line.
Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, one of the most impressive in Russia, was built during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and the grand opening took place on May 9, 1945-Victory Day. The Novosibirsk Philharmonic is among the best orchestras of Russia and in general, according to foreign critics, and it has come to represent the culture of Siberia.

The creation of Novosibirsk Akademgorodok in 1950s was the first large center of science created far from Moscow or Leningrad (St.Petersburg) by a group of prominent scientists (Lavrentyev, S. L. Sobolev, S. A. Khristianovich and others), who attracted gifted researchers from the country's western regions to the development of Siberian science. Today Akademgorodok is the seat for the Siberian Branches of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation, with a unique complex of scientific and research institutes, Academy of Agriculture and Academy of Medicine.

Siberia has been opening up to the West and offers a range of still unexplored experiences and opportunities. As the cultural, scientific and educational center of Siberia, surrounded by picturesque wooded and field areas, Novosibirsk is an excellent place for immersion in the Russian language and culture, and provides many opportunities to experience the hospitality and cordiality for which Siberians are famous.The main attraction of the park are its cliffs that have strange curved forms, as if they were worked on by water. Because of the peculiar landscape Stolby became the local center of cliff-climbing. The original way of cliff-climbing invented by local sportsmen (called "Stolbisty") was acclaimed worldwide.
Every weeked there are a lot of people in the park and it is a great place to take a break from the city.

To get there: It takes about 1 hour to go there and back from the railway station (if there's no traffic jam, costs about 250R ($8) both ways). Don't take a taxi at the railway station or the airport - it's too expensive. It's better to order a taxi, it will come in 15 minutes. See taxi companies' contacts in Krasnoyarsk Transport section. The cars can't go further the beginning of the park, but for 50R ($1.7) you can enter as far as Taletino check-point, which is about 2 km (20 mins walk) away. To get to the most interesting place in the park (which is where the cliffs are), you will need to walk about 1.5 hours from Taletino check-point. If you are lucky an occasional car will give you a lift, but it's rare. Once you get to the main check-point Narym, you can walk around and enjoy the views on the cliffs. There are refreshment shops along the way, where you can buy a map of the park also. Accommodation can be arranged at Narym kordon, but only if you have your own tent. There are plans to make a mini bed & breakfast there at 2004. Otherwise, it's forbidden to camp and to make in the whole national park. If you want to arrange accommodation (in a tent on permitted territory or Stolby), you can contact the local forester Anatoly or his wife Galina at (3912) 32-34-35 (Anatoly) or (904) 894-8534 (Galina). They speak Russian only. They have a small house near Narym and can permit you to put a tent there ($3). They also provide excursions for $7.

Going Out in Novosibirsk — Food, Entertainment, and Activities
Novosibirsk is considered to be the foremost city of Western Siberia. Being a big scientific and business center of Siberia, it attracts many people of all ages, origins, and interests. It's no surprise then, that one can find any kind of entertainment, food, and activity there.
If you decide to go for a walk, the best and the most central place is Ploshchad Lenina (Lenina Sq metro), from where you can walk along the city's main street Krasny Prospekt. It's better to walk on the left-hand side, as there are more cafes and restaurants there.
There are a lot of open air cafes on Lenina square during summer and it's just a nice place to walk around and to meet people. Another good way to meet people is to go to a jazz or rock club — this kind of music is very popular in Novosibirsk. See addresses below.

Eating Out: Restaurants & Cafes
Novosibirsk has a great variety of places to eat. The price is usually not more than 200-300R ($7-$10) for a full meal, however, you can find cheaper places. A coffee usually costs 30-50 R ($1-$1.7), and a beer is 20-100R usually ($0.7-$3), depending on a sort.
Here's a list of some restaurants and cafes that seem to be nice:

Old Irish Bar, Stone House Restaurant, and Rock City rock club.
The best place to eat in Novosibirsk, located very centrally on Krasny Prospekt, 37. Opened daily 12.00 until 2.00. The food is traditional Russian and European, an average bill (including drinks) is about $10-$15 per person. The portions are hearty, the food is delicious, the people are nice. There's also an open-air terrace where you can sit and observe the city dwellers.
There's also a popular rock club "Rock City" located in the same buidling, featuring live concerts by Russian rock groups every evening.
Address: Novosibirsk, Krasny Prospekt, #37. Contact: (3832) 22-62-06.
Jily Byli. Well, the profitable business idea of budget Russian style restaurant works not only in capitals but in the center of Siberia as well. This medium-size restaurant is decorated with wood and ceramics, the waitresses are in Russian style clothes, and the food is typically Russian and tasty. Don't miss their kvas – it is really good.
To eat there you need about 100-200R ($3-$7).
Address: Lenina St., 1.
Druzhba. This popular restaurant is located in the centrum of Novosibirsk and serves Russian food. Most of the meals are with meat and fish. A business lunch is 100R ($3). Open daily from 12.00 to 2.00.
Address: Lenina, 3. Tel.: (3832) 22-06-68, 22-05-15.
New York Pizza. American-style pizzeria. In Summer evenings there are many foreigners, maybe because it was recommended by the Lonely Planet. Open 24 hours. For pizza delivery phone (3832) 29-75-75 (free delivery, 1 hour).
Addresses: Dimitrova Prospekt, 4 (the most popular one); Dzerjinskogo Prospekt, 61; D.Kovalchuk St., 266; Kropotkina St., 118; Ob'edineniya St., 80;
U Vatslava. A moderately priced restaurant, serving Chekh cuisine.
Address: Gorkogo St., 78 (3 mins walk from Lenina St).
Cafe Terra. A cozy nice coffeeshop. Coffes, cakes, cocktails, alcohol drinks, salads, sandwiches, hot dishes. Expect to pay about $1 to $2 for a coffee and about $10 US for a meal. Open from 9.00 to 23.00 daily. Address: Lenina St., 8. Tel.: (3832) 22-44-77.

Music of Ethnic Cultures (Tuva and Altai)
Novosibirsk is the place to go if you want to hear the music of various ethnic cultures. Its proximity to Altai mountains and Tuva republic makes it easy for authentic musicians to come and perform their traditional songs. The kind of music they play is very different to categorize (and is uneeded also), but to give you an idea, it is a mix of throat singing (which sounds really strange and enticing) and traditional play of ethnic Siberian people's musical instruments.
We highly recommend you to attend such performance, if you have a chance. Below is a list of places where you can hear this kind of music. You can also contact them to get more info on upcoming venues:

Zhivaya Voda (Live Water) Ethnic Cultures Festival organize annual ethnic music festival that takes place in Novosibirsk and Altai mountains as well as various open air and club parties. Among their latest projects are Ethnic Music Festival 2002, which hosted traditional Siberian music as well as underground groups, and "Cuba, My Love" rock, blues and reggae open air festival.
You can see their website for the latest information or contact them directly.

Chyornaya Vdova (Black Widow) art gallery and underground music club. The gallery itself is closed, but on their website you can see announcements of the most interesting alternative art and music projects in Novosibirsk.
Address: Novosibirk, Narymskaya St., 21 (located close to Novosibirsk Circus); Contacts: tel. (3832) 20-45-21,

Jazz, Blues and Rock Music
Novosibirsk people like jazz and blues music, you can often hear it playing in some specialized clubs and cafes; the city is even considered to be one of the three big jazz music centers in Russia (others being Moscow and St. Petersburg).
If you want to hear good jazz music or just meet local people who speak English and make new friends, there's a good chance to all this in one of Novosibirsk's jazz clubs. :

Rock City rock club.
The main rock club of Novosibirsk. Every week hosts popular Russian rock stars (not really rock music, more like quality mainstream music for young people), every evening a good concert. Located in the same building as Stone House restaurant
Address: Novosibirsk, Krasny Prospekt, #37. Contact: (3832) 22-62-06.

New York Times Jazz Club. A cozy club with wooden furniture and slow staff. You can eat there for 200 R ($7), but we didin't check the quality of the food – there was meat only in the menu (we don't eat meat). In the evenings, at about 9.00 pm the concerts start, the entrance will cost you 50 R ($2).
Address: Novosibirsk, Lenina St., 12.
The Novosibirsk State Philarmony. Sometimes hosts jazz events and concerts.
Address: Novosibirsk, Spartaka St., 11. Contacts: tel.: (3832) 22-34-84,

Club & DJ Music
There are many young people in Novosibirsk, so dance music is quite popular there. You can find many clubs with stupid Russian techno-pop

Shuttle Club. One of the main dance clubs in Novosibirsk, mainly pop-dance music. Has a chill-out room and a restaurant. Located slightly out of centre. Beer on tap from $1.5 to $3, entrance 100-200R ($3-$7).
Address: Novosibirsk, Seleznyova, 46 (metro Imeni Pokryshkina), tel.: (3832) 78 33 08

2. Emergency Cases:
In case you have an emergency, it's better to contact a manager of a hotel where you're staying, or local police.
The operators of emergency services speak Russian only:
01 - Fire
02 - Militsia (police)
03 - Ambulance
04 - Gas service.
In case you lost your credit card, you should dial Moscow numbers given in Practicalities / Money  section.
If you have nowhere to stay, you can go to Novosibirsk railway station, which has a comfortable waiting area and an inexpensive hotel.

3. Health:
If you got ill, you can go to the government hospitals, but you'll have to stand long queues, talk to the doctor who speaks Russian only (in most cases) and I'm not sure about the quality of service. So, it's better to find a western clinic or wait until you get to Moscow.
To protect against encephalitis (read information about this illness at Trans-Siberian / Travelers Advice, to get either a vaccination or after-treatment, one should contact in Novosibirsk:
The Hospital for Neuroinfections Prevention.
Novosibirsk, Akademgorodok, Pirogova St., 25. Tel.: (3832) 34-47-88.

4. Internet Access:
There are not many internet access places around Novosibirsk, however there are at least three of them in the centrum of the city and one -- in Akademgorodok.

24h Internet Club.
Doesn't have any name, located in a pedestrian subway and usually there are many gamers inside. 1 hour costs 30 R ($1 US). Opened 24 hours, break from 7 until 9 morning.
There's also a cafe with light snacks, drinks, and beer.
Address: Novosibirsk, center, Trudovaya St., 1 (just behind the fishing shop in the courtyard - along Vokzalnaya Magistral st). Tel.: (3832) 22-55-96

Galaxy Game Club.
The bowling club due to open in September 2003 already has an internet cafe opened from 12 until 6. There are also gaming servers installed, so many people play CounterStrike, WarCraft, Quake, etc.
Located just after the interseciton of Sovetskaya st. and Vokzalnaya Magistral, to the right in the courtyard (ask bowling).
Address: Vokzalnaya Magistral, #15 (courtyard).

Internet Club 5K. The club is opened 24h a day and has about 15 computers with slow connection. You can use their printer and record a CD for additional price. One hour of connection costs 30 R ($1 US). It's better to visit it early in the morning or in the afternoon: crazy gamers occupy local network all the rest of the day and your connection will be less speedy than nothing.
Address: Novosibirsk, Akademgorodok, Pirogova st., 14. Dormitory of the University #5, 4th floor. Open 24 h a day.

Internet Club. Doesn't have any name, located in a pedestrian subway and usually there are many gamers inside. 1 hour costs 30 R ($1 US).
Address: Novosibirsk, Centrum, Trudovaya St., 1. Tel.: (3832) 22-55-96

Post Office. There are only a few computers and always many people, so be prepared to queue for about 30 minutes.
Address: Novosibirsk, Centrum, Lenina St., 4, entrance from Sovetskaya St., 33.

5. Laundry:
Unfortunately, there are no self-service laundromates in Novosibirsk, so the only thing you can do is either to ask a hotel manager (or a maid) to wash your stuff (it should costs about 100 R - $3 US), or wash everything in the sink. That's what most of Russians do actually, luckily, detergents are widely available.

6. Money Issues:
Novosibirsk is quite a modern city, so it won't be a big problem to find a currency exchange or an ATM. Just look for a bank office, or a big department store in the centrum.
The exchange rate is not favorable, you'll lose about 5% comparing to Moscow or St. Petersburg. Also, the exchange offices are not opened 24 hours a day, and most of them accept US dollars and Euros only. So our advice: bring in $ US or Euros, change them into Roubles in Moscow and St. Petersburg. When in Novosibirsk, take the first chance to exchange to roubles or to use an ATM -- you won't have time to look for another one, and they're all the same anyway.
Here are addresses of some currency exchange offices in Novosibirsk:
TSUM Department Store. Two currency exchange offices of the same bank. Opened 10.00 to 20.00 Mon to Sun. Address: Vokzalnaya Magistral St., 5. Map:  B3 - circle #3

Guta Bank. Banking services, exchange, ATM. Novosibirsk, Krasny Prospekt 67, tel: (3832) 18-49-53.

Alfa Bank. Banking services, exchange office, ATM. Novosibirsk, Dimitrova Prospekt, 1, tel: (3832) 23-97-39, another office: Karla Marksa 2, tel.: (3832) 49-57-30 Open: 9.00-18.00 (mon-sat)

Here's a list of ATM in Novosibirsk: TSUM department store (open same as shop), Guta Bank (open 10.00-19.00 ex sat & sun), Alfa Bank branches, Akademgorodok: Morskoy Prospekt, 23 "House of Scientist" daily 8.00-23.00

7. Open Hours and Peak Hours:
There's not this abundance of 24h shops that you can find in Moscow or St. Petersburg, but still, many grocery shops are opened all night long.
The normal opening times for shops are 10.00 to 19.00 Mon to Fri, with shorter times on Saturdays. Many shops are closed on Sundays, but not the big ones, or the ones selling food. You can also always use stalls -- there are many on the streets.
Offices are normally opened 9.00 to 18.00.
Cafes, restaurants, and clubs are usually opened from 12.00 to 2.00.
There are a lot of taxis in Novosibirsk, so even if you're late, don't worry: it'll be easy to get from one place to another.
Novosibirsk is not a very busy city, but during peak hours it gets a bit hectic, especially in transport. Try to avoid, if you can, 8.00 to 10.00 and 16.30 to 20.00 times.

8. Post and Courier Services:
If you want to send something by post from Russia, you can do it either through government post service or courier services - the difference is price and speed.

State Post Service is unexpensive, but slow and unefficient. It'll take about 3-4 weeks for your letter or parcel to be delivered, unless you pay more and send it as "priority air mail" (even in that case, it'll take 2 weeks from Novosibirsk to Europe or USA).
To send anything, you should buy the post stamps at the post offices, which you can find by "èÓ˜Ú‡" (Pochta) sign. Post offices usually work monday - friday from 9.00 to 19.00 and saturday - 9.00 to 17.00, sunday is day off. It costs around 20 roubles (0.7$) to send a letter to western Europe. You can send your letter or a postcard using any of light blue post boxes on the streets or directly at the post office (better). Sending an average (around 500gm) parcel costs around $15.
Central Novosibirsk Post Office. Open: mon-sat 9.00-19.45, sun 10.00-17.45. Address: Nosibirsk, Centrum, Lenina St, #4. Entrance from Sovetskaya St, #33. Map: B4 - circle #2.

Courier Services are much more reliable, fast, and much more expensive. The letter will arrive in about 3-4 days, and will cost about $50 to send it. A small parcel (200gm) will cost from 2500 R ($80 US) to send. Here are contacts of some courier post service providers in Novosibirsk:

Federal Express courier service. Address: Novosibirsk, Centrum, Lenina St, #12 (Close to New York Pizza cafe), 6th floor, office 608. Tel.: (3832) 22-61-88.

DHL Express Mail. Novosibirsk, Chaplygina, 46, 1st floor. Phone: (3832)--23-87-78, (3832)-18-25-97. Also in Akademgorodok: Musy Jalia St., 11, office 229. tel.:(3832)-39-79-68

TNT Express. Novosibirsk, Potaninskaya, 12, office 100. Tel: (3832) 580-809.

UPS Mail. Novosibirsk, Lavrwentyeva str, 6. Director of the center - Anatoly Semenov. Tel.: (3832) 396-400 or 396-291

9. Safety:
Novosibirsk seems to be a very safe place. Life is not so fast as in other big cities, and people seem to be very friendly. In fact, the whole Siberia is the place to experience the famous Russian hospitality, and Novosibirsk is a great place to start.
Of course, it is advisable to practice your normal traveler's safety, not to "flash" your cash, and to avoid dark, empty streets during the night.
However, there are a lot of official taxis in the city and around at any time of the day and night, so you can always move around in a car.
When we were in Novosibirsk, we didn't stay in a hotel, but just went to Akademgorodok, which is a university campus area on the outskirts of the city. We camped in a forest there for two nights -- something we would never have done in Moscow or St. Petersburg, or any other city, except Ulan-Ude maybe, which also seemed to be quite calm.

10. Shopping & Travel Gear:
Novosibirsk is the best place for shopping. Never thought it was, but after I came there, I left with nice new clothes, good stock of food and travel gear, interesting books, and a lot of other useful stuff.
All the best shops are located on Vokzalnaya Magistral St., which is a big avenue going from the railway station to the centrum. It takes about 15 minutes to walk it.
For food, stock in "Maxima" supermarket, which is conveniently located very close to the railway staiton. Address: Vokzalnaya Magistral, 6a. If it is closed, there are many food stalls just in front of the railway station.

For personal hygiene, household goods, brand clothes, and basic travel gear try TSUM department store, located 5 minutes walking from the railway station along Vokzalnaya Magistral St. There's also a currency exchange office in this shop.

For really inexpensive travel clothes and some fashion stuff, go to "Depo" store, which is a good place to find. The owner of this shop brings inexpensive streetwear from Hong-Kong to Novosibirsk. So, you can buy really cool trousers and raincoats that are also good for travel for 500 R ($15 US). Address: Vokzalnaya Magistral, 5. Open: 10.00 to 20.00. Tel.: (3832) 21-49-31, 21-76-44.

Fotoland - Photo Shop
A good choice of photography equipment and films (including professional Kodak films), film developing and printing, digital photo. Opened mon-fri from 8.00 until 20.00, sat-sun: 10.00-20.00
Address: Krasny Prospekt st., #59 (near the metro Krasny Prospekt)

Second Hand Clothes
New and second hand, relatively inexpensive clothes from England. Everything, from t-shirts to raincoats (I bought a new Berghaus raincoat there for $30). Opened 10-19 daily, except sunday.
Address: Sovetskaya, 26 (entrance in the courtyard - walk along Potanina st. and turn to the left - just after the Ecco shoe shop).
Many other shops are located on the right-hand side of Krasny Prospekt if you walk from the metro Krasny Prospekt to Lenina square.

For professional travel gear:
AlpIndustria Travel Gear Shop.
The best choice of trekking gear in Novosibirsk. You can find backpacks, clothes, gas, various alpinist and trekking equipment and anything else. Located outside of the center, 15 minutes by metro, just outside of Pl. Marksa metro (down the red line to the south). Opened from 10.00 until 20.00 daily.
Address: Vagutina St., #27, Contact: (3832) 46-20-28. Internet (including map).

Also, try "Aleut" store, which is located very close to "Depo" store. This travel gear and outdoor equipment shop is owned and run by professionals in skiing, mountaneering, trekking and extreme sports. You can find all kinds of travel equipment there as well as a good advice. However, expect to pay about 50% more than in Moscow or St. Pete. From time to time the people who work at the shop go on trips to nearby Altai mountains, which you can join as well. Ask Pavel (director) or Max. Open: 10.00 to 19.00, Monday to Saturday. Address: Dmitrova Prospekt, 18, tel.: 22-22-24.

Among other good travel equipment store are "Na Grani", which also sells skateboards, snowboard equipment, bikes etc. Open: 10.00 to 20.00 daily. Address: Sovetskaya, 65. tel.: (3832) 125-113.
If you love fishing, also try "Rybolov Center", where you can find all kinds of equipment. Address: Sovetskaya, 20. tel.: (3832) 22-40-57.

11. Telephones:
The international phone code of Russia is "7", the code of Novosibirsk is "3832".
If you call to Novosibirsk from abroad, you should dial international access number (usually 00 or "+"), then the code of Russia "7", then Novosibirsk: "3832", and then the 6-digit city number.
If you call to Novosibirsk from any place in Russia, dial 8, wait for a tone, then dial Novosibirsk code (3832), and then the 6-digit city number.
If you dial a Novosibirsk number inside Novosibirsk, just dial the 6-digit number, without any prefixes. The calls inside the city are free, except in hotels (check how much they charge).
The best place to make phonecalls is the central postoffice, however, we recommend you to bring your mobiles and subscribe to a Russian operator (MTS or BeeLine) if you intend to use your phone much.
The mobile network is quite well developed in Novosibirsk. The network covers the whole city, Akademgorodok, and a large area around. There are two main GSM operators: MTS and BeeLine, you can either subscribe to their services, or use roaming. In case you subscribe in Moscow, 1 minute will cost about $0.30 US, if you subscribe in Novosibirsk, it'll be twice less, if you use roaming, expect to pay about $2 / minute for international calls (incoming and outgoing) and about $0.80 for local calls. Check with your provider.
You can make international phonecalls from:

Central Novosibirsk Post Office. Open: mon-sat 9.00-19.45, sun 10.00-17.45. Address: Nosibirsk, Centrum, Lenina St, #4. Entrance from Sovetskaya St, #33.
To make a phone call, first queue to the operator, pay an advance for a call (about 50 R) and then she'll tell you what cabin to go to make a call. Once your call is finished, you can get the money you paid, if you haven't used them all.