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Exploring Planet Vegeta: A Dragon Ball Adventure

Dragon Ball is a beloved anime series that has captured the hearts of fans all around the world. From its thrilling battles to its unforgettable characters, Dragon Ball has become a cultural phenomenon. One of the most iconic locations in the series is Planet Vegeta, the homeworld of the Saiyans. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into the history and significance of Planet Vegeta.

The Origin of Planet Vegeta

Planet Vegeta, also known as Sadala, was once a thriving planet inhabited by the Saiyan race. The Saiyans were a warrior race known for their incredible strength and fighting abilities. They were a society built around conquest and domination. The planet was ruled by King Vegeta, the father of the legendary Saiyan warrior, Vegeta.

However, Planet Vegeta's glory days came to an end when Frieza, the tyrannical emperor of the universe, destroyed the planet in his quest for power and control. Frieza feared the potential of the Saiyans and saw them as a threat to his reign. The destruction of Planet Vegeta resulted in the near extinction of the Saiyan race, with only a few surviving members, including Vegeta and Goku.

Exploring Planet Vegeta

While the actual planet has limited appearances in the Dragon Ball series, it holds immense significance in the overall storyline. Planet Vegeta serves as the birthplace of iconic characters such as Vegeta, Goku, and Broly. It is also where the Saiyans were raised and trained to become formidable warriors.

If you're a fan of Dragon Ball and want to show your love for Planet Vegeta, you can find an extensive collection of Planet Vegeta merchandise at our store, DBZ Store . From stylish t-shirts to collectible figures, we have everything you need to celebrate this iconic location in the Dragon Ball universe.

Planet Vegeta Merchandise

At DBZ Store, we understand the passion and enthusiasm of Dragon Ball fans. That's why we have curated a wide range of Planet Vegeta merchandise for you to choose from. Here are some of our top picks:

1. Planet Vegeta Shirt

The Planet Vegeta shirt is a must-have for any Dragon Ball fan. Featuring a stylish design with the iconic Planet Vegeta logo, this shirt allows you to showcase your love for the Saiyan homeworld. Made from high-quality materials, the shirt is comfortable to wear and perfect for everyday use. Get yours now from our store: Planet Vegeta Shirt .

2. Planet Vegeta Keychain

Carry a piece of Planet Vegeta wherever you go with our Planet Vegeta keychain. Made from durable materials, this keychain features a detailed replica of the iconic Planet Vegeta. Attach it to your keys or backpack and let everyone know about your love for Dragon Ball. Get yours now from our store: Planet Vegeta Keychain .

3. Planet Vegeta Poster

Add a touch of Dragon Ball to your room with our Planet Vegeta poster. This high-quality poster showcases the breathtaking scenery of Planet Vegeta, transporting you to the Saiyan homeworld. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, this poster is a perfect addition to your collection. Get yours now from our store: Planet Vegeta Poster .

Join the Dragon Ball Adventure

Dragon Ball has captured the imaginations of millions of fans worldwide, and exploring the world of Planet Vegeta is an essential part of that adventure. Whether you're reliving the epic battles of Goku and Vegeta or discovering the origins of the Saiyan race, Planet Vegeta holds a special place in the hearts of Dragon Ball enthusiasts.

If you're ready to embark on your Dragon Ball adventure, visit our store DBZ Store . We offer a wide range of Dragon Ball merchandise, including exclusive Planet Vegeta items. Shop now and show off your love for Dragon Ball with pride!

Remember, at DBZ Store, we are dedicated to providing high-quality products and excellent customer service. With our extensive collection of Dragon Ball merchandise, you can find everything you need to enhance your Dragon Ball experience. Explore our store today and immerse yourself in the world of Dragon Ball!

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Character Analysis

(Avoiding Spoilers)

Grew Up... as the prince of the Saiyans on the planet Vegeta (named after his father). As a member of a species renowned for being the “mightiest warriors in the universe,” Vegeta grew up conquering planets and the pathetic peoples that lived on them, just as any good Saiyan warrior would. But as a prince he grew up with a sense of pride that he was one of the mightiest of the mighty. Living... as one of the last Saiyans in the universe. In an ironic twist of fate, the species that lived by taking planets from others had their own planet destroyed, leaving only a handful of Saiyans alive. Visiting... Earth, much to the people on Earth’s distress. After one of his subordinates was defeated on Earth, Vegeta caught wind that Earth has a set of powerful wish-granting relics known as the Dragon Balls. Profession... warrior, and he is terrifyingly good at it too. Despite this, Vegeta prefers letting his subordinates do the dirty work so they can “leave the thinking to me.” Interests... power, and making fun of those who lack it. Even when Vegeta could destroy his foes in an instant he makes sure to “have a little fun” with those who would dare oppose him, enjoying the “looks on their faces” as they realize just how badly they are outmatched. Relationship Status... single. Other than subordinates who obey him out of fear, Vegeta is alone. This doesn’t seem to bother him now, but should he ever realize the life of a villain is a lonely one, he might seek to change this. Challenge... obtaining enough power to avenge the destruction of his home world. Vegeta may be incredibly strong, but in order to defeat the one that killed his people and forced him to be cruel to survive, he will need even more might. But if the power he really needs turns out to be the power of friendship, he will have an even harder path to tread after spending most of his life blinded by hatred. Personality... egotistical, manipulative, and cruel. If one of Vegeta’s subjects is no longer “of any use” he will dispose of them as if they were trash. He does have some redeeming qualities, such as his sense of honor, and had he not been born into a world of violence and anger he could have been a very different person. (Or alien.) But for now, his superiority complex mixed with a bitter desire for revenge make him very hard to deal with.

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Get to Know him in...

The events of Battle of Gods take place some years after the battle with Majin Buu, which determined the fate of the entire universe. After awakening from a long slumber, Beerus, the God of Destruction is visited by Whis, his attendant and learns that the galactic overlord Frieza has been defeated by a Super Saiyan from the North Quadrant of the universe named Goku, who is also a former student of the North Kai. Ecstatic over the new challenge, Goku ignores King Kai's advice and battles Beerus, but he is easily overwhelmed and defeated. Beerus leaves, but his eerie remark of "Is there nobody on Earth more worthy to destroy?" lingers on. Now it is up to the heroes to stop the God of Destruction before all is lost.

One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza's army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans.

As a member of a Saiyans renowned for being the "mightiest warriors in the universe," Vegeta grew up conquering planets and the pathetic peoples that lived on them, just as any good warrior would. But now that their planet was destroyed, he's one of the handful of Saiyans alive.

Rejoin Goku and his friends in a series of cosmic battles! Toei has redubbed, recut, and cleaned up the animation of the original 1989 animated series. The show's story arc has been refined to better follow the comic book series on which it is based. The show also features a new opening and ending. In the series, martial artist Goku, and his various friends, battle increasingly powerful enemies to defend the world against evil. Can Earth's defender defeat demons, aliens, and other villains?

Dragon Ball Z: Hyper Dimension is a 2D fighting game and the last DBZ game made for the Super Famicom (SNES). It is based around the most memorable battles from DBZ and introduces more traditional and fluid combat mechanics.

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z delivers over-the-top anime action and intensity, presented in new cell-shaded HD graphics. Focusing on team battles, players will be able to battle online with or against their friends in frantic 4-player co-op or up to 8-player vs. Battle of Z's expanded team battle and co-op modes allows players to create teams of four characters to take on opponents across the globe.

Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 gives you 22 playable characters, each with an arsenal of unique moves, kicks, spins, slashes, and specialties, an additional five bonus characters can be unlocked with one command, including Master Roshi, Kid Goku, Super Saiyan 3 Goku, Vegeto, and Mr. Hercule Satan.

For the first time ever Dragon Ball Z fans can enter into high-impact two vs. two combat in Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team for the PSP system. Play solo or team up via Ad Hoc mode to tackle memorable battles in a variety of single player and multiplayer modes, including Dragon Walker, Battle 100, and Survival Mode. Dragon Walker Mode takes fans through the entire epic Dragon Ball Z story arc from the Saiyan saga to the Majin Buu saga. Battle 100 Mode tasks players to relive the most epic encounters and newly created situations from the Dragon Ball Z world in ever increasingly difficult situations. With more than 70 playable and deeply customizable characters, multiple modes, and Ad Hoc Party gameplay, Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team is chock full of gameplay for your portable PSP system.

Dragon Ball Z for Kinect used the unique gameplay abilities of the Kinect motion sensor to let gamers become part of the DBZ world. It features all the classic action and intensity of the Dragon Ball Z universe but with the unprecedented sense of immersion that only Kinect can deliver. Players will be able to unleash over 100 moves upon their enemies, including the legendary Kamehameha, with their very own fists as they battle their way to victory in this ultimate evolution of the unstoppable franchise. Dragon Ball Z For Kinect also packs a double dose of exclusive content for Dragon Ball Z fans! The game includes the Dragon Ball Z anime episode "Episode of Bardock" and will feature Bardock Super Saiyan as a playable character for the first time ever in the history of Dragon Ball Z video games.

Kamehameha! Prepare to dive into the world of Dragon Ball Z with Earth-shaking combat, a massive character selection, faithful manga-style graphics, and exciting new features in Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi! Delivering an explosive DBZ fighting experience, this game features upgraded environmental and character graphics, with designs drawn from the original manga series. Destructible battlefields, including massive craters and ki blasts cutting across the sky deliver a more dynamic experience and immediate sense of urgency to the exhilarating fights. An enhanced story mode drops players into the rich Dragon Ball Z universe, filled with beloved characters and powerful enemies. An accessible battle system allows gamers of all ages to hold their own in fast-paced battles, while still retaining tactical depth for hardcore fans.

Gohan has been kidnapped! To make matters worse, the evil Garlic Jr. is gathering the Dragonballs to wish for immortality. Only then will Garlic Jr. be able to take over the Earth in order to gain revenge for the death of his father. Goku rushes to save Gohan, but arrives at the fortress just as Garlic Jr. summons the Eternal Dragon! Krillin and Piccolo try to help Goku, but their combined powers.

As Goku investigates the destruction of the Southern Galaxy, Vegeta is taken to be King of the New Planet Vegeta, and to destroy the Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly.

Not paying attention to his job, a young demon allows the evil cleansing machine to overflow and explode, turning the young demon into the infamous monster Janemba. Goku and Vegeta make solo attempts to defeat the monster, but realize their only option is fusion.

The Z Warriors discover an unopenable music box and are told to open it with the Dragon Balls. The contents turn out to be a warrior named Tapion who had sealed himself inside along with a monster called Hildegarn. Goku must now perfect a new technique to defeat the evil monster.

Dragon Ball Z: Extreme But'den features over 100 fighters in both one-on-one and team battles. It has a story mode where you go through sagas as either the heros or villains.

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Dragon Ball: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Planet Vegeta

There are several interesting facts in the Dragon Ball universe, especially about Planet Vegeta. What are some little-known facts?

While Dragon Ball had Son Goku meeting new friends and rivals as he searched for the mystic Dragon Balls, it’s Dragon Ball Z that made a shocking revelation - Son Goku isn’t just a monkey-tailed warrior. He is, in fact, a Saiyan - a proud race of warriors that can tap into a fighter’s instinct. It’s this heritage that let him tap into more powerful Super Saiyan forms - mythical forms in Dragon Ball legend.

Related: Dragon Ball: Times The Villains Basically Won

As revealed in Dragon Ball Z , Son Goku as well as Vegeta and their respective families are the only remaining Saiyans in their universe, making them carriers of a vast heritage. What’s more interesting is how Vegeta’s name is actually from their home planet - Planet Vegeta. However, just what else should fans learn about the Saiyan homeworld?

10 The Namesake Of The Royal Family

When Vegeta led his people against the Tuffles in a decades-long war in Planet Plant, his success in defeating them hailed him as their ruler. Not only did he become King Vegeta, but the planet was renamed after him in his honor.

As such, when King Vegeta had a son, he also named him Vegeta, after both himself and the planet. This may explain why Vegeta himself has such a strong sense of Saiyan pride, considering that he does literally carry the name of not just his father but his entire world.

9 Not The Homeworld Of The Saiyans

Despite Planet Vegeta being the namesake of King Vegeta and Prince Vegeta , the planet was in fact not the homeworld of the Saiyans. Rather, it was Planet Sadala that served as the homeworld of the Saiyan race.

In Universe 7, it was because of internal strife and discord as well as the rampage of the first Legendary Super Saiyan Yamoshi that led to the destruction of the home planet. Saiyans then transferred themselves to Planet Plant, which they renamed Planet Vegeta after overthrowing its rulers. Meanwhile, Universe 6 had Planet Vegeta intact, with King Sadala as its ruler.

8 A Harsh World For A Warrior Race

While the Saiyans are already tough on each other with their warrior-based culture and pride for their strength, it seems Planet Vegeta is the perfect home to exercise these traditions. According to its appearances, Planet Vegeta seems to possess gravity at least ten times stronger than that of Earth, implying that the planet is either much denser and/or much larger than of Earth.

It’s due to this gravity that Saiyans have developed a natural resiliency and durability in their bodies. However, evolution in the planet did mean Saiyans have generally smaller frames, which explains Vegeta’s height difference compared to Goku. In terms of geography, the planet seems to be a desert world with either a red or yellow sky, and two moons.

7 Had Ancient Settlers

When Goku’s father Bardock was sent to the distant past due to Frieza’s Supernova, Bardock arrived on what he thought was a distant planet inhabited by a race of short purple-skinned humanoids. Known as the Inhabitants of Plant, these humanoids seem to have an organized structure, with their mysterious healing liquid being an item of interest for Lord Chilled, seemingly from Freeza’s race.

Related: Dragon Ball: Fights That Are Better In The Anime

Bardock soon realizes that he’s traveled to the distant past, with Freeza’s ancestor Lord Chilled already showing an interest in the planet. While Bardock transforms into a Super Saiyan to save the planet’s inhabitants, it’s interesting how generations of Freeza’s race have consistently eyed the planet for invasion.

6 Enter The Tuffles

Thousands of years after the Inhabitants of Plant settled in the land, Planet Plant became the home of the Tuffles - humanoid beings with similar physiology to humans. They’re specifically known for their technological advancements, courtesy of their race’s innate high intelligence. One such Tuffle, Dr. Lychee was able to create a machine that could transform the dead into ghosts and even create combat robots.

Unfortunately, the advanced nature of the Tuffles were no match for the Saiyans who came swooping down for a full-scale assault on the planet. Their smaller and weaker physiques made them small-fries for the persistent Saiyans who eventually conquered their land.

5 Under The Planet Trade Organization

When the Acrosians and King Cold discovered Planet Vegeta and its denizens, they became enamored by the Saiyan’s love for fighting . As such, they’ve employed them as part of the Planet Trade Organization to either subjugate or destroy other planets, especially at the time when King Cold’s son Freeza became the leader of the Organization and had an immense desire to rule the universe.

The plan to use Saiyans in this way was extremely practical as well. Planet Vegeta became a military training base, already supplementing their warrior culture. Moreover, Freeza now directed younger Saiyans with low battle power to lay waste to various planets and kill their inhabitants, so the empty planets became more profitable.

4 The Plot To Eradicate The Saiyans

However, when the Saiyans developed in strength pretty quickly, Freeza grew concerned that their strength would be enough to be able to overthrow him. And while Freeza is prideful, he is actually fearful of the Super Saiyan of Legend . As such, it was at the suggestion of Zarbon and Dodoria that Freeza should wipe out the Saiyans.

Related: Dragon Ball: Times The Anime Completely Ignored The Manga

When King Vegeta realized Freeza’s plan, they began a plot to overthrow him. And when Bardock became the sole survivor of an attack on his task force, he tried to attack Freeza but unfortunately was overwhelmed by the tyrant’s power. Knowing that the Saiyans were already aware of his plan to rebel, Freeza finally executed his plan to destroy the planet once and for all.

3 The God’s Involvement

During an anime filler, King Kai mentioned that Planet Vegeta actually had a guardian who became disgusted by the Saiyans and their horrible behavior that he decided the race had to be destroyed with the meteor shower.

Interestingly enough, both Dragon Ball Super and Resurrection F reveal that the God of Destruction Beerus actually had a role in the planet’s destruction. He actually approached Freeza and asked him to destroy the planet due to King Vegeta being “stingy.” While Freeza had his own motives to destroy the planet, he may have taken the God of Destruction’s request to heart.

2 Appearances Almost Always Differ

While there’s a general description of what goes inside Planet Vegeta from the perspective of settlers, it's outside view always seemed different depending on where it’s shown and the people who talk about it.

For instance, Bardock: The Father of Goku showed the planet as red, while Dragon Ball GT showed it as green and blue in a flashback. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball: Plan To Eradicate The Saiyans had the planet appear as white and blue in the original and remake versions, respectively. When talked about, Raditz mentioned it has rings whereas King Kai and Dodoria mentioned the planet to be looking more like Earth.

1 The Return, Somewhat

It was during the events of Dragon Ball GT that Baby Vegeta actually wished for Planet Vegeta to be restored to its former glory. This was accomplished via a wish to Ultimate Shenron, who then brought the planet inside the Solar System.

When Planet Vegeta was restored, Baby Vegeta then sent his mind-controlled minions to the planet and became his ruler. While Goku did go to the planet and stop Baby Vegeta’s rampage once and for all, it seems the planet and its inhabitants stayed within the Solar System after the battle, with the inhabitants now free of Baby’s control.

More: Dragon Ball: Characters Goku Used To Be Weaker Than

• FUNimation subtitles
• FUNimation/Ocean Group dub
• FUNimation Kai dub
• Harmony Gold dub

Vegeta (planet)

From dragon ball encyclopedia, the ''dragon ball'' wiki.

Planet Vegeta ( 惑星 ベジータ , Wakusei Bejiita ; FUNimation "Planet Vegeta"), formerly known as Planet Plant ( 惑星 プラント , Wakusei Puranto ; FUNimation "Planet Plant") and Planet Tsufuru ( 惑星 ツフル , Wakusei Tsufuru ; FUNimation "Planet Tuffle"), is a planet in the North Galaxy .

• 1.1 Saiyan-Tsufruian war
• 1.2 Exploitation by Freeza
• 1.3 Rebirth

Planet Vegeta had been the homeworld of the Plants , Tsufruians , and Saiyans . It was seen briefly in the anime and manga, and therefore is little information given as to its exact nature. What is known is that Planet Vegeta possessed ten times the gravity of Planet Earth . Whether this means that Planet Vegeta was a physically larger world or merely a denser one is never explained; it could be both. At any rate, it is this intense gravity that gave the Saiyans their natural physical resiliency and power. Likewise, it can be assumed that other native lifeforms had also adapted to Planet Vegeta's gravity. The Tsufruians, believed to be a native race of Planet Vegeta, appeared to have evolved along different lines by having smaller bodies so that the gravity affected them less.

Based on what can be seen of Planet Vegeta in the manga and anime, the planet appeared to be a harsh desert world with a red sky instead of blue as seen in Dragon Ball Z: Bardock: The Father of Goku . Nothing is ever directly stated, however, about its weather, flora, fauna, or geology. Planet Vegeta had two unnamed natural satellites (though there is only a full moon every 100 years, or 8 years depending on the dub.

It also seemed to be in ruins about 100 years before Vegeta and Nappa landed on Earth. By using the Pendulum Room , Kuririn , Tenshinhan , Yamucha , and Chaozu traveled there spiritually, only to be thrashed by the Illusion Saiyans ( Shorty and Scarface ). They said, "No one comes to Vegeta!". It was only a spiritual experiences, however, and they came back afterward. It is also worth noting that this experience was anime-only, and thus is not canon to the original manga. Additionally, they do not seem to be under a higher gravity, and other flashback scenes of Planet Vegeta greatly differ in their depiction of the planet.

Saiyan-Tsufruian war

Main article: Saiyan-Tsufruian war

Planet Plant was once home to two races: the Tsufruians and the Saiyans. The Tsufruians were a diminutive race, believed to be native to Planet Plant, who lacked physical strength and toughness, but were very intelligent and skilled with technology. By contrast, the Saiyans were average-sized, but very strong and brutal. They had come seeking refuge from their previous homeworld's destruction at the hands of an out of control Super Saiyan . Despite their incredible powers, the Saiyans were primitive and backwards, living in small clans scattered across the deserts of Planet Vegeta. Meanwhile, the Tsufruians used their ingenuity to create large metropolis in which to live and were fairly prosperous. Their life was a peaceful one until suddenly the Saiyans decided to attack. The Saiyans, led by King Vegeta , declared war against the Tsufruians. The Saiyans were giants compared to the Tsufruians, but due to the latter's technology, they managed to keep an upper hand in the war.

Soon, something happened to give the Saiyans an upper hand. The full moon came up, something that only happened once every 100 years (every 8 in the English dubs of the anime). The Saiyans possessed the ability to transform into giant apes called Great Apes (or Oozarus ) whenever exposed to the light of a full moon, and in these new forms they were able to easily defeat and obliterate the Tsufruians. They took over the planet and renamed it Planet Vegeta after their king.

Exploitation by Freeza

Main article: Genocide of the Saiyans

Soon the Saiyans were discovered by the tyrant Freeza . He found their race was strong and had a love of fighting, so he began to exploit them. He employed them to destroy races of people for him, to take over their planets, and eventually bring about Freeza's goal of ruling the entire universe . The planet was soon transformed into a military base, with many of Freeza's men stationed alongside the Saiyans. Young Saiyans with low battle powers (Low Class Saiyans) were sent off to other planets to wipe out the inhabitants, making the planet fit to sell.

The Saiyans increased their strength quickly, however, and Freeza became worried that they would become too powerful. While Freeza had little fear of lone Saiyans, their power in numbers was evident that it may be troublesome. Too prideful to admit it, he also harbored a secret fear of the legendary Super Saiyan who may arise one day; he had a premonition that it was not just a story. Zarbon suggested to Freeza that it would be prudent to wipe out the Saiyans before they grew more threatening. A few rebel Saiyans, including King Vegeta , sensed this and plotted against Freeza. The Saiyan Bardock survived an ambush which killed his friends, and vowed revenge on their treacherous master. They attacked Freeza, but his strength was overwhelming and he defeated them easily. To rid himself of the Saiyan menace forever, he destroyed the planet along with nearly all of the Saiyans, the only survivors being Raditz , Nappa , Vegeta , and Kakarrot (Goku). (In the Dragon Ball Z films and TV Specials, the Saiyans Tullece , Broly , Paragus , and Tarble also survived.)

The destruction of Planet Vegeta is slightly different between the manga and the anime. In the anime, Freeza destroys the planet with a Supernova . In the manga, Freeza simply states that he attacked the planet (though he does state that he destroyed it when mentioning how Son Goku resembled the Saiyan who had caused him trouble ). Also, Raditz (in the first volume of Dragon Ball Z ) states that Planet Vegeta was destroyed by an asteroid in his big speech explaining Son Goku's backstory before Son Goku came to Planet Earth . (Vegeta was told the same account shortly after the planet was destroyed.) It is possible that Raditz was not aware that Freeza had been behind their planet's destruction. In the anime, North Kaio also told Son Goku a different story about Planet Vegeta's Kami drawing in many large asteroids to destroy the planet. This may have been fabricated to keep Son Goku from learning of Freeza and seeking him out.

Main article: New Planet Plant

The planet was wished back and renamed once again Planet Plant by Baby in Dragon Ball GT , and thereafter served as Earth's new moon. Alternate names include New Planet Plant , New Planet Tsufru, and New Planet Vegeta. It was also the location of the final battle with Baby and where the people of Earth evacuated to when Earth was destroyed.

• Each time Planet Vegeta is seen in a different occasion, it has a different appearance. The planet is red in Bardock: The Father of Goku , green/blue in a flashback in Dragon Ball GT , blue in Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate Super Saiyans , has rings when Raditz mentions it, and looks like Planet Earth in North Kaio's story.
• North Kaio claims in an anime filler that Planet Vegeta also has a Kami who, upset at the Saiyans' horrible behavior, decides to slaughter the Saiyans with a meteor shower. Later, the manga claims that the asteroid that Raditz speaks about is merely a cover-up for Freeza's genocide of the Saiyan race, and the anime also follows suit. Dodoria finally confirmed that Freeza was responsible for the destruction of Planet Vegeta when he explained the truth of the planet's end to Vegeta.
• North Kaio's story implies that the Saiyans were native to Planet Vegeta as they did not have the technology to reach other planets before meeting the aliens who gave it to them. Dragon Ball GT states, however, that they came from another planet in Attack Balls . Vegeta also mentions that the Original Super Saiyan destroyed the Sayian's first homeworld (these events relate to the The Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans film). It is possible North Kaio does not realize this, simplifies the issue, or it is a writing error in which the writers did not realize these details until a later time.
• The Planet stage in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 looks like the surface of Planet Freeza or Planet Vegeta.

Planet Vegeta in Raditz' flashback.

Planet Vegeta in a flashback in Dragon Ball GT .

Planet Vegeta in a flashback in Plan to Eradicate Super Saiyans .

• North Galaxy planets

Planet Vegeta is the original homeworld of the Saiyan race, and a significant location in the Dragon Ball Z universe. The planet is a harsh and unforgiving world, with a dry and rocky terrain, jagged mountains, and deep ravines. The atmosphere is thick with carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid, making it difficult for non-Saiyan life forms to survive.

Despite the inhospitable environment, Planet Vegeta was once a thriving world, home to a powerful and warlike race of Saiyan warriors. The Saiyans were an aggressive and violent race, with a strong emphasis on combat and conquest. They formed a powerful empire, traveling the galaxy and conquering other worlds in the name of their ruthless leaders.

The planet itself was home to several powerful and dangerous creatures, including giant monsters and dangerous beasts. The Saiyans were raised in a harsh environment and were trained to be fierce warriors from a young age, often using these creatures as training partners.

Despite their power and ferocity, the Saiyan race met their ultimate demise when the planet was destroyed by the evil Frieza, who feared the Saiyans’ growing power and saw them as a threat to his own dominance. Only a few Saiyans survived the planet’s destruction, including the character Vegeta, who later becomes a key figure in the Dragon Ball Z series.

Overall, Planet Vegeta was a harsh and dangerous world, but one that played a significant role in the development of the Saiyan race and their importance in the Dragon Ball Z universe.

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• Dragon Ball Z

Planet Vegeta

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Planet Vegeta (惑星ベジータ, Wakusei Bejīta ), formerly known as Planet Plant , is the home planet of Goku , Vegeta , and all other native Saiyans , Tuffles and Plants in the Dragon Ball franchise .

• 1 Planet description
• 2.1 Plantians
• 2.2 History of the Tuffles and the Saiyans
• 2.3 Exploitation by Frieza
• 2.4 Rebirth
• 4 References

Planet description [ ]

Planet Plant in Episode of Bardock

Planet Vegeta is seen only briefly in the anime and manga . It is known to possess at least ten times [1] the gravity of planet Earth (whether this means that Planet Vegeta is a physically larger world, merely a denser one, or both, is not explained). This intense gravity gives the Saiyans their natural physical resiliency and power. The Tuffles, the other race on Planet Vegeta, appear to have evolved along different lines by having smaller bodies so that the gravity affects them less. [2]

In the anime, Planet Vegeta appears to be a harsh desert world with a yellow/red sky instead of blue. It has at least two natural satellites, and there is a full moon every 100 years or 8 years (depending on the dub).

An outpost on Planet Plant (later renamed Planet Vegeta)

Planet Vegeta seemed to be in ruins about 100 years before Vegeta and Nappa landed on Earth. By using the Pendulum Room in an anime-only segment, Krillin , Tien Shinhan , Yamcha , and Chiaotzu traveled to the planet spiritually, only to be thrashed by the two illusion Saiyans there ( Brocco and Panbukin ), who said "No one comes to Vegeta!". The four Z Fighters did not seem to be under higher gravity while they were there. However, this was only a spiritual experience, and they came back afterward.

History [ ]

Plantians [ ].

The life on Planet Plant

In the spin-off manga Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock , the planet is shown to be inhabited by a race known as the Plantians in the distant past. Bardock somehow is sent back in time, and saves the planet from Frieza 's ancestor, Chilled . The Plantians do not seem to recognize him as a Saiyan, and Chilled has never heard of the race.

History of the Tuffles and the Saiyans [ ]

Main article: Saiyan-Tuffle war

A Tuffle City

Planet Plant was later home to two races: the Tuffles and the Saiyans. The Tuffles were a diminutive race, native to planet Plant, who lacked physical strength and toughness, but were very intelligent and skilled with technology. By contrast, the Saiyans were average-sized, but very strong and brutal. Despite their incredible powers, the Saiyans were primitive and backwards, and lived in small clans scattered across the deserts of Plant (both Dr. Raichi in Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans and Baby in Dragon Ball GT state that the Saiyans were not originally from Planet Plant and came to the planet apparently seeking refuge from their previous home world). Meanwhile, the Tuffles used their ingenuity to create large metropolis in which to live, and were fairly prosperous.

Planet Plant, as seen in a flashback in Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans

Their life was a peaceful one, until suddenly, the Saiyans decided to attack. What started the war is debatable, according to Vegeta the Saiyans were treated poorly, essentially like slaves, by the Tuffles and forced to live in harsh conditions which forced them to rise up against them. Baby however argued that the Tuffles were a peaceful people and Saiyans launched an unprovoked attack against them. Both side are obviously very biased, nonetheless Saiyan-Tuffle war occurred. The Saiyans, led by King Vegeta , declared war against the Tuffles. The Saiyans were giants compared to the Tuffles; but due to the latter's technology, they managed to keep an upper hand in the war.

But then, something happened to give the Saiyans an upper hand. The full moon came up, something that only happens once every 100 years (every 8 in the English dubs of the anime), and the Saiyans possessed the ability to transform into giant apes called Great Apes whenever exposed to the light of a full moon. In their new forms, they easily defeated and obliterated the Tuffles and took over the planet, renaming it Vegeta after their king.

Exploitation by Frieza [ ]

Main article: Genocide of the Saiyans

Planet Vegeta during Frieza's reign

Soon, the Saiyans were discovered by the Arcosians and the tyrant Frieza . They found their race was strong and had a love of fighting, so they began to employ them in the Planet trade organization to destroy races of people in order to take over their planets for the organization, and eventually bring about Frieza's goal of ruling the entire universe. Planet Vegeta was soon transformed into a military base, many of Frieza's men stationed alongside the Saiyans. Young Saiyans with low battle powers (Low Class Saiyans) were sent off to other planets to wipe out the inhabitants, making the planet fit to sell.

However, the Saiyans increased their strength quickly, and Frieza became worried that they would become too powerful. While Frieza had little fear of lone Saiyans, their power in numbers was evident that it may be troublesome. Too prideful to admit it, he also harbored a secret fear of the legendary Super Saiyan which may arise; he had a premonition that it was not just a story. Zarbon suggested to Frieza, that it would be prudent to wipe out the Saiyans before they grew more threatening.

Frieza destroys the Planet Vegeta with his Supernova

A few rebel Saiyans, including King Vegeta, sensed this and plotted against Frieza. The Saiyan Bardock survived an ambush which killed his friends, and vowed revenge on their treacherous master. They attacked Frieza, but his strength was overwhelming and he defeated them easily. To rid himself of the Saiyan menace forever, he destroyed the planet along with nearly all of the Saiyans, the only survivors being Raditz , Nappa , Prince Vegeta , and Kakarot ( Goku ). In the Dragon Ball Z movies and specials the Saiyans Turles , Broly , Paragus and Tarble also survived.

Asteroids coming near Planet Vegeta

The destruction of Planet Vegeta seems slightly different between the manga and the anime. In the anime, Frieza destroys the planet with a Supernova . In the manga, Frieza simply states that he attacked the planet (though he does state that he destroyed it when mentioning how Goku resembled the Saiyan that caused him trouble ). Also, Raditz (in the first volume of Dragon Ball Z ) states that Planet Vegeta was destroyed by an asteroid three years before his arrival, in his big speech explaining Goku's backstory before Goku came to Earth , [3] which is the story Frieza spread to keep the remaining Saiyans from turning on him. [4] Vegeta is told the same account shortly after the planet is destroyed. In the anime, King Kai tells Goku that Planet Vegeta was not destroyed by a single asteroid, but by many large asteroids drawn to planet Vegeta by the planet's Guardian himself in order to punish the Saiyans; [5] this story may have been fabricated to keep Goku from learning of Frieza and seeking him out, or else King Kai might have been fooled by Frieza's rumor.

Rebirth [ ]

Main article: New Planet Plant The planet was wished back and renamed once again Planet Plant (Tuffle) by Baby in Dragon Ball GT , and thereafter served as the Earth's new moon. Alternate names include New Planet Plant (Tuffle Planet) and can be considered a New Planet Vegeta. It was where the final battle with Baby took place and where the people of Earth evacuated to when Earth was destroyed.

• Each time Planet Vegeta is seen on a different occasion, it has a different appearance: the planet is red in Bardock - The Father of Goku , green/blue in a flashback in Dragon Ball GT , white in Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans and blue in its remake Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans , it has rings when Raditz mentions it, and the planet looks like the Earth in King Kai's story as well as in Dodoria 's story.
• In an anime filler, King Kai claimed that Planet Vegeta also had a guardian who, upset at the Saiyans' horrible behavior, decided to slaughter the Saiyans with a meteor shower. Later, the manga claimed that the meteor that Raditz talked about was merely a cover-up for Frieza's genocide of the Saiyan race, and the anime followed suit. Dodoria finally confirmed that Frieza was responsible for the destruction of planet Vegeta when he explained the truth of the planet's end to Vegeta.
• King Kai's story implies that the Saiyans were native to planet Vegeta, as they did not have the technology to reach other planets before meeting the aliens that gave it to them. But Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans and Dragon Ball GT state that they came from another planet in space pods. Vegeta also mentions the Original Super Saiyan destroyed the Saiyan's first home planet (these events relate to the Namek Saga ). It is possible King Kai didn't realize this, or simplified the issue, or a writing error, where the writers didn't realize these details until a later time.
• In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 , the planet stage looks like the surface of planet Vegeta or of planet Frieza 79 .

References [ ]

• ↑ Dragon Ball manga, Chapter 211, page 8
• ↑ Daizenshuu 5 , 1995
• ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 2, " Reunions "
• ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 49, " The Prince Fights Back "
• ↑ Dragon Ball Z episode 20, " Goku's Ancestors "
• 1 False Super Saiyan
• 2 Majin Vegeta

Dragon Ball: How Did Raditz Survive Planet Vegeta's Destruction?

Goku's evil brother Raditz is one of Dragon Ball Z's most iconic characters, but how did he originally survive Planet Vegeta's destruction?

With an iconic design and a tremendous role in Dragon Ball Z 's early lore, Goku's Saiyan brother Raditz is one of the franchise's   most fascinating characters. He was the antagonist in the "Saiyan Saga"  which expanded the story's   mythology, with a storyline that turned everything fans knew about Goku on its head.

But why is Raditz so tightly connected to Vegeta and Goku? And just how did this warrior survive Planet Vegeta's destruction, the event that wiped out most of the Saiyan race?

Related:  Dragon Ball Z: Why Does Vegeta Call Goku Kakarot?

How Is Raditz Related to Goku and Vegeta?

Making his debut in Chapter 195 of the manga, Raditz is famous for being Dragon Ball Z's first true antagonist. Known to some in-universe as Raditz the Runt, he is the oldest son of the Saiyans Bardock and Gine. Because of this, he is Goku's biological older brother.

Raditz was born with a high power level and was thus considered a middle-level Saiyan warrior. This power saw Raditz placed in a platoon with several other elite Saiyans, including Prince Vegeta and Nappa. The group became close comrades and spent lots of time together, a bond that only strengthened after Planet Vegeta was destroyed.

RELATED: What Are Dragon Balls - and What Can They Actually Do?

How Did Raditz Survive Planet Vegeta's Destruction?

The   Dragon Ball Super: Broly   film shows a platoon consisting of Raditz, Prince Vegeta, Nappa and two unnamed adult Saiyans being sent to a planet to invade and conquer it. While on this mission, they received a message from Frieza via their Scouters saying he needed them to return to Planet Vegeta. The tyrant claimed this was because they needed to be taught a new strategy; however, when Raditz asked Vegeta about the message, the Saiyan prince said to pretend they didn't hear it and continue their mission of conquering the planet.

Vegeta didn't know it at the time, but this action saved all their lives. While they were away, Frieza destroyed Planet Vegeta and the rest of the Saiyan race, making Raditz one of only nine surviving pure Saiyans . The others were Goku, Broly, Tarble, Vegeta, Nappa, Turles, Paragus and Onio. Vegeta's group eventually learned of the planet's destruction, but they were told it was due to a massive meteor -- a cover story used by Frieza to prevent the remaining Saiyans from turning on him.

Related:  What Comes After Dragon Ball Super?

Where Was Raditz Sent?

After learning that Goku was sent to Earth, Raditz wrongly presumed the child tried and failed to conquer the planet. When Raditz himself arrived there at the start of Dragon Ball Z , he was sad to learn that the Earth was still full of life. Upon finding Goku, Raditz tried to convince his brother to help destroy the human race. Goku, of course, turned him down. As retribution, Raditz kidnapped young Gohan as a hostage to force Goku to comply. Angered by this, Goku teamed up with his former nemesis Piccolo to take the evil Saiyan down.

Piccolo revealed he has a move that can kill Raditz -- the Special Beam Cannon -- but it takes time to charge, forcing Goku to fight alone. After a hard showdown Goku grabbed Raditz in a Full-Nelson hold, allowing Piccolo to fire the Cannon through them, killing both Saiyan brothers. When Raditz arrived in the Other World (the afterlife), he met King Yemma, the king of all ogres who judges which souls go to heaven and hell. He unwisely tried to fight Yemma, who easily overpowered Raditz and banished him to hell.

KEEP READING:  Dragon Ball Theory: Namekians Are Actually the Lowest Form of Kai

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New Planet Vegeta

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New Planet Vegeta ( 新惑星ベジータ , Shin Wakusei Bejīta ) [1] is a planet that was to be the home for the remaining Saiyans after the destruction of the original Planet Vegeta by Frieza . This planet is shown in Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan , as well as during Broly's flashback of Goku defeating him in Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming .

• 1 Biography
• 2 Video Game Appearances
• 4 References
• 5 Site Navigation

Biography [ ]

New Planet Vegeta was established by Paragus , where he invites Vegeta to be its new ruler. This planet was created to be a ruse to lure Vegeta and his "friends" to their death either by Broly or Comet Camori , which was to impact it in only a few hours after the discovery that Broly was the Legendary Super Saiyan . Paragus wanted to take revenge on King Vegeta for the attempted execution of him as well as his infant son, Broly. Ironically, this was the same day that Frieza had destroyed the original Planet Vegeta . According to Paragus, he "picked the next best thing," which was the death of King Vegeta's son, Vegeta. Paragus had his son, who was placed under mind control to control his power, destroy the cities, enslave numerous aliens from a nearby planet to create the castle where they stay, and presumably destroy most of the South Area in order to sell the act.

Paragus' castle illuminated by his Dead Punisher

The planet does not resemble that of the original Planet Vegeta and is mostly deserted except for the main castle and the workers in the ruins of the cities. As said before, this planet was intended to be an ambush as the colossal Comet Camori was heading straight for it. Paragus was intending to get rid of Vegeta and the Dragon Team while he and Broly would escape and conquer Earth . However, when he lost control of Broly, he was forced to abandon his son to the planet's fate. But any hope of escape was literally crushed when the plan backfires. Broly suddenly appears and catches him attempting to escape in a space pod and kills him by crushing the pod, then throwing it toward the approaching comet. His last dying words were that he was being killed by the son that once saved his life.

Ultimately, the planet was destroyed by Camori, but Goku was able to teleport himself, his friends and the surviving Shamoians into the Capsule Corporation spaceship that Piccolo came in.

Video Game Appearances [ ]

New Planet Vegeta is a playable stage in Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 and Dragon Ball Z: Taiketsu .

• A flashback from Paragus implied that Broly may have been responsible for the cities lying in ruin as a kid, as one of Broly's Eraser Cannon was seen destroying a city that greatly resembled the desolate city on New Planet Vegeta.
• Ironically, the original Planet Vegeta was thought by some to be destroyed by a celestial object as well but was really destroyed by Frieza's Supernova .

References [ ]

• ↑ Daizenshuu 7 , 1996

Site Navigation [ ]

• Dragon Ball Arenas

Planet Vegeta

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• View history

Planet Vegeta (惑星ベジータ) is the home planet of the Saiyans that appears as a location in the Dragon Ball Series . Formerly known as Planet Plant , the Saiyans colonized the planet after exterminating the native Tuffle species, and lived there until Frieza destroyed the planet in an attempt to exterminate the race.

In Dragon Ball GT , the planet was restored by Baby Vegeta , and renamed Planet Tuffle .

• 2.1.1 Story Missions
• 2.1.2 Parallel Quests
• 3.1.1 Extra Missions
• 5 Site Navigation
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
• Dragon Ball Heroes
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• Dragon Ball: Xenoverse
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• Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2
• Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission X
• Dragon Ball Legends
• Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission
• Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

Dragon Ball: Xenoverse [ ]

Story missions [ ].

• Last Moments...Goku's Father, Bardock

Parallel Quests [ ]

• Saiyan Revolt
• Parent and Child

Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission [ ]

Extra missions [ ].

• Extra Mission 1
• Extra Mission 4
• Extra Mission 7
• Extra Mission 11
• Extra Mission 34

Gallery [ ]

Site Navigation [ ]

• 1 All-Stars (Friday Night Funkin': Mario's Madness)
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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Moscow

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Dec 23, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Moscow is one of Europe's most enigmatic destinations, home to a fascinating history and colorful, awe-inspiring architecture you won't find anywhere else in the world. Moscow might be one of the most populous cities in the world with over 11 million inhabitants, but this hasn't changed its strong cultural and social traditions.

Walk the cobblestone streets of the Red Square or the banks of the Moskva River early in the morning, and it's hard to tell what century you're in.

Tsarist architecture, must-see churches, and glamorous shopping opportunities blend together for a visual experience you won't forget. For ideas on what to see and do while visiting Russia, here's our list of top tourist attractions in Moscow.

1. Marvel at the Size of the Kremlin

2. catch a performance at the bolshoi theatre, 3. shop at the luxurious gum, 4. make your way into lenin's mausoleum, 5. spend an hour (or three) at red square, 6. discover history at the museum of cosmonautics, 7. ride the stunning moscow metro, 8. explore the moscow state integrated museum-reserve, 9. spend a rainy day at the tretyakov gallery, 10. walk up and down arbat street, 11. stop by the vdnkh all-russian exhibition centre, 12. wander around gorky park, where to stay in moscow for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in moscow.

Moscow's most recognizable structure is without a doubt the Kremlin, a 15th-century fortified complex that covers an area of 275,000 square meters surrounded by walls built in the 1400s.

The Grand Kremlin Palace -which has over 700 rooms- was once home to the Tsar family and is now the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation, although most heads of state choose to reside elsewhere.

The massive complex also includes many other buildings, some of which are open to the public and can be visited regularly. Aside from three cathedrals (including one where the Tsars were once crowned) and a number of towers, the Kremlin is also home to the Armory building, a museum holding everything from the royal crown and imperial carriages to the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and Fabergé eggs.

The Bolshoi Theater is home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world . While the theater has undergone several major renovations over the past century-including a recent one in 2011 to restore some of the imperial architectural details-it still retains all of its Neoclassical grandeur.

The Bolshoi Theater you see today opened in 1824, after several older versions burned down. Inside, red velvet, a three-tiered crystal chandelier, and gilt moldings give the place a Byzantine-Renassaince grandiose feel like no other.

Catching a show from the resident ballet and opera troupes is a treat, as the theater often presents a number of classic performances, such as Tchaikovsky's Mazeppa and Rachmaninoff's Francesca da Rimini, both of which originally premiered here.

Moscow's oldest and most upscale shopping center is an architectural marvel. GUM (short for Glávnyj Universálnyj Magazín or "Main Universal Store") was built in the late 1800s in neo-Russian style to showcase a beautiful mix of a steel skeleton and 20,000 panels of glass forming an arched roof.

This was a unique construction at the time, since the glass had to be strong enough to support the snow-heavy Russian winters. The building is just as impressive outside, with all three levels covered in marble and granite.

While GUM is no longer the largest shopping center in Moscow, it's still by far the most beautiful. Home to brands like Gucci and Manolo Blahnik, this might not be the ideal destination for most budget-conscious visitors, but the beauty of the building itself is worth a visit.

On the third floor, there are also great dining options, including a Soviet-style canteen that serves traditional Russian food, and a stand selling ice cream made by hand using an original 1954 recipe originally approved by the Soviet government.

Lenin's Mausoleum, the final resting place of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, occupies a central spot in Red Square. His body has been in the mausoleum since his death in 1924-and although the original plan was for him to be buried after a short period of public display for mourning, the plan quickly changed.

After over 100,000 visited the tomb over a period of six weeks, it was decided that a new sarcophagus and a more permanent display space could actually preserve Lenin's body for much longer than expected-and Lenin's Mausoleum was built.

Over the years, the mausoleum and its marble stairs also became the main spot from where Soviet leaders would watch parades and events happening in Red Square.

Lenin's embalmed body can still be seen today, lying down in a bulletproof glass sarcophagus as if he's sleeping. While a visit to the mausoleum is certainly unusual, it has become a must-do for history buffs looking to understand how Lenin's legacy truly changed the nation. Come ready to wait, though -there are usually lines to get in.

All of Moscow's main streets start at Red Square, so it's easy to see why this is considered the heart of the city. A massive space of 330 meters by 70 meters, the square is flanked by the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, two cathedrals, and the State Historical Museum.

In 1945, a massive Victory Parade was held here to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Soviet Armed Forces.

St. Basil's Cathedral , one of the most recognizable buildings on the square, was built in 1555. The unique cathedral has architectural details inspired by Byzantine and Asian design, as well as details that resemble those found in famous mosques. There are nine individual chapels inside the church, all decorated with colorful mural art.

Both the square itself and the Kremlin are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites . On weekends, there are sometimes stalls selling souvenirs and traditional items here, such as matryoshka (Russian nesting dolls), at the entrance of the square.

At one point, Russia and the US were toe-to-toe when it came to space exploration. While that might no longer be the case, the museum's amazing collection-which includes over 85,000 items-is still awe-inspiring.

Main exhibits include the space capsule used by Yuri Gagarin , the first human to travel into outer space; a USSR flag with moon fragments; a Soviet spacesuit; and a rocket propulsion unit from the 1960s. A special two-story hall showcases sections of the Mir space station interior, and there are also models of the first sputniks and a replica miniature spaceship.

English-language tours are available, and there's also a Cinema Hall showing subtitled short films about the history of space exploration programs and the first manned space flight.

The museum is located inside the base of the monument to the Conquerors of Space, which was built almost 20 years before the museum opened.

Riding the Moscow metro is an experience all in itself, but even just heading underground to walk through the stations is something no visitor should miss. With 223 stations and 12 metro lines crosscutting through Moscow, however, this can be tricky, so visiting at least a few of the most impressive ones is a good start.

Arbatskaya station was designed by a skyscraper architect, so it's no surprise that it features multicolored granite slabs and impressive bronze chandeliers.

Park Kultury station , located next to Gorky Park, is covered in marble and features reliefs of people involved in sports, while Teatralnaya station is decorated with porcelain figures dancing and wearing traditional Russian costumes.

The metro is open between 5:30am and 1:00am but it's very crowded in the early morning and after 4pm, so it's better to visit in the late morning or early afternoon to really appreciate the architecture without the crowds.

The Moscow State Integrated Art and Historical Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve is a cultural open-air museum complex comprised of four different historical sites.

The most important site, the Kolomenskoye Estate, was once the summer residence of Tsars as far back as the 14 th century. The complex, which covers almost 300 hectares, is home to fairy-tale wooden palaces; a tent-roof stone church built in the 1500s; a water tower; fort towers and structures; and the 24-room Museum of Wooden Architecture , which includes the restored dining room of Tsar Alexei I.

Beautiful manicured gardens , riverside picnic areas, and a massive collection of both artifacts and structures make this a great destination to help you see what medieval Russia looked like. English-language tours are available, but you're also free to wander the grounds on your own.

The largest collection of Russian art in the world sits here, with over 180,000 paintings, sculptures, and religious art dating back to over a millennia ago. The gallery, built using beautiful red and white colors from classical Russian architecture, is located near the Kremlin and it was built in the early 20 th century.

Significant art pieces include the Vladimir Mother of God; a Byzantine icon of the Virgin and child dating back to the 1100s; Andrei Rublev's The Trinity icon from the 15 th century; and several works by Ilya Repin, the most famous realist painter in Russia.

On the grounds of the museum, there is also an 86-meter-tall statue of Peter the Great, as well as a number of Socialist Realism sculptures.

Moscow's one-kilometer-long pedestrian street has been around since the 15 th century. Originally a trade route in the outskirts of the city, Arbat Street is now very centrally located, home to posh buildings and lots of places to eat and shop.

Beautiful street lamps and two significant statues-one of Princess Turandot (from Puccini's last opera) and one of Soviet-era poet Bulat Okudzhava-adorn the street, which fills up with both locals and tourists on evenings and weekends.

A great place to pick up souvenirs or sit down at an outdoor café, Arbat Street also offers a chance to visit the former home of poet Alexander Pushkin and the café both Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy used to visit.

Although it was originally designed as a general-purpose trade show venue, this park complex now houses amusement rides , ice rinks , and a number of galleries and other attractions for all ages.

The park's most famous landmarks are the Moskvarium, a marine biology center home to over 8000 species of marine animals, the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and a shopping center selling traditional products from former Soviet countries.

There's even a film museum showing Soviet cartoons or even a full-length film (for an extra fee) and an education center offering masterclasses on everything from becoming a barista to video montage (call or write in advance to find out which ones are English-friendly).

Soviet-era pavilions, sculptures, and fountains abound here as well, including the famous Friendship of the Peoples Fountain, which features statues of women dressed in costumes from different former Soviet countries.

Named after the famous Russian writer Maxim Gorky (who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times but never won it) and sitting right across the Moskva River, Gorky Park covers 120 hectares of beautiful ponds and green spaces.

Popular with both locals and tourists, the park offers a variety of things to enjoy-from sunbeds, hammocks, and drinking fountains to free yoga classes and children's playgrounds. There's free Wi-Fi and sockets for charging your phone, as well as many food stands and plenty of wild animals, including deer, rabbits, and pheasants.

Visitors can rent paddle boats and bicycles to explore the park-and from May to October, there is also an open-air movie theater, as well as scheduled presentations by street performers, musicians, and artists. Gorky Park attracts the young and old, so don't be surprised to see a mix of people exercising, playing chess, and sunbathing.

Luxury Hotels :

• Lotte Hotel Moscow is one of the top 5-star properties in Moscow offering the largest Royal Suite in Russia. The trendy rooms and suites here all have contemporary style and great city views. On-site amenities are plentiful. There are two restaurants: one serving contemporary Italian fare, and the other Japanese. There is an impressively lit indoor swimming pool, a well-known spa, and a state-of-the-art gym.
• Another excellent luxury hotel is the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow . The residential-style property is in the heart of Moscow just next to the Bolshoi Theatre and within walking distance of the Kremlin and Red Square. The rooms and suites have been opulently designed by Tony Chi. The on-site restaurant serves a mix of European and Armenian specialities. There is also a Japanese sushi bar and a rooftop lounge with fabulous city views.
• The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya also has a central location just a few minutes from the Kremlin and Red Square. The 5-star property has a mix of elegant rooms and suites, including interconnecting room options for families with kids. There are multiple restaurants on-site including an Italian bistro. Other amenities include the fabulous Iridium Spa, which does a full range of treatments and has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and steam room.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Palmira Business Club is a top mid-range choice. The contemporary lifestyle hotel offers well-appointed rooms and suites, including options for families. Suites are quite spacious and have kitchenettes. Amenities here include a complimentary breakfast at the on-site restaurant, a hot tub, sauna, and spa. There is also a fitness center.
• The trendy Mercure Moscow Baumanskaya offers a mix of rooms and suites with contemporary decor. The mid-range hotel can arrange airport transportation and offers baggage storage. Other amenities include a restaurant and room service. The front desk is open 24 hours.
• Boutique Hotel Brighton is about 10 minutes from the city center in a leafy park area. It offers excellent value for money and has charming rooms and suites with sound-proof windows and doors, as well as blackout curtains. A complimentary breakfast is served, and there is also an indoor swimming pool.

Budget Hotels :

• Hotel Ibis Budget Moscow Panfilovskaya is about a 15-minute drive from Moscow's downtown, and it's within walking distance from a metro station that will take you there. The soundproof rooms at this budget property are clean, comfortable, and can sleep up to three people. The hotel is pet friendly, has paid parking available on-site, and also has a salon.
• If you just need a budget hotel near the airport then check out Aviator Hotel Sheremetyevo . Located right at the airport, it has soundproof rooms, including options for families. Amenities include an indoor play area for kids, a sauna and swimming pool, and a free breakfast.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Exploring Russia: Whether you are interested in history, nature, or architecture, there's much to see in Russia. For a good introduction to some of the most fascinating spots in the country, take a look at our article on the Best Places to Visit in Russia . For more on Russia's second-largest city and all it has to offer, check out our piece on the Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg .

Local Strolls: 10K steps on the Vegas strip

Apr 16, 2024 • 6 min read

Follow our walking route to experience the best of Las Vegas' iconic Strip © Ivanova Ksenia / Shutterstock

Delve into Local Strolls, a series where writers reveal their favorite walks in their hometowns. Each route offers a snapshot of urban life, guiding you to lesser-known attractions and cherished local spots. Here, Jesse Scott outlines the best route for exploring Las Vegas's iconic Strip on foot.

While there is so much more to appreciate about Las Vegas beyond its glitzy, mega-casino lined Strip, let’s be real here: the Strip is Las Vegas’ main attraction and is a total must for newbies and veterans alike. It is constantly evolving – be it imploding classic casinos to build a major league baseball stadium (RIP, the Tropicana in 2024 to make way for the Athletics’ pending baseball stadium) or new restaurants/shops celebrating grand openings in the quietest nooks of resorts.

Often jammed with traffic and construction 24/7, you certainly don’t want to drive it ... unless you’re passing through town for a strictly scenic drive or want to crawl 5mph to your dinner reservation. The Strip was made for strolling and there is an extensive roadside network of super-wide sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian bridges and outdoor escalators for doing just that.

The beauty of a Strip stroll is you can stop for a reprieve at any moment, coming in the form of hitting a blackjack table right inside the Flamingo ’s Strip-side entrance or snagging a yard-long frozen cocktail at one of several Fat Tuesdays (and taking it with you – it’s legal). As for what to bring with you, Las Vegas is smack-dab in the middle of a desert. Don’t make the common mistake of having dehydration sneak up on you or sunburn – bring water and sunscreen if you’re walking during the day.

We've narrowed down the thousands upon thousands of dining, drinking, entertainment and logistical routes to choose from along the Strip to bring you the best itinerary for your Vegas stroll.

Where to start: Mandalay Bay

The core of the Strip runs from the golden-windowed Mandalay Bay on the southern end, north to Sydney Tower-resemblant the STRAT  – it’s approximately 4.3 miles one way. Things do get a bit more spread out north of the Wynn . So, if you’re looking to shave off some stroll mileage, it’s 2.9 miles one way – or about an hour – without any stops from Mandalay Bay to the Wynn. Start your trip north by visiting Mandalay's  Shark Reef Aquarium , which has more than 2000 critters to gawk at within its clear glass tunnel confines.

The walk: From Mandalay Bay, there is an indoor path connecting the resort with the neighboring pyramid-themed Luxor and medieval castle-esque Excalibur . Once you’ve reached Excalibur, cross a pedestrian bridge over Tropicana Ave and you’ve arrived at New York-New York .

Ride the Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York

This is Vegas, so why not get an in-ride roller coaster view of what’s ahead? The Big Apple Coaster weaves through an NYC-resemblant skyline with unique vistas of the iconic green mass, the MGM Grand across the street. The way it contrasts with the gray and oft-snow capped mountains in the distance is always beautiful.

The walk: Beyond New York-New York, hug the west side of the Strip, passing by T-Mobile Arena (the home of the Vegas Golden Knights), the Shops at Crystals super-luxe shopping corridor and Aria until you arrive at the Cosmopolitan .

Stop for photo ops and pizza at the Cosmopolitan

One of the quirkier photos you’ll take on the Strip is inside a giant black high-heel at the Cosmopolitan, just off the Strip entrance on the casino floor. Equally as dazzling and Instagram-worthy is its Chandelier Lounge . If hunger is beckoning, head up to level three and see if you can find the totally unlabeled Secret Pizza for a New York-style slice.

The walk: Continue north and pause between the towering fountains outside the Bellagio and, across the street, the Eiffel Tower replica attached to Paris Las Vegas . At Flamingo Rd, take the escalators and crosswalks to end up on the eastern side of the Strip until you arrive at Flamingo – it’s across the street from the sprawling Caesars Palace and adjacent Forum Shops .

Watch flamingos frolic and take in a little Vegas history

Las Vegas – especially the Strip – loves to tear things down and build anew. Amid all the contemporary glitz, the pink-windowed Flamingo is the oldest on the Strip, dating back to 1946. Beyond its chorus of slot machines, head to the free Flamingo Wildlife Habitat on-property where Chilean flamingos saunter about and giant koi fish swim in various ponds.

The walk: Outside of the Flamingo’s northern entrance is the pedestrian-only LINQ Promenade . At its eastern end is the High Roller – the largest observation wheel in the US – and, before then, O’Shea’s , which is renowned for its ultra-creamy Frozen Baileys concoction. Once you're refreshed, continue north, pass by the Mardi Gras-themed Harrah’s and arrive at the Venetian Resort .

Coast on a gondola through the Venetian

Off the Grand Canal Shoppes inside the Venetian, you can book a gondola ride that will weave you through sky-painted ceilings, under low bridges and past Roman-inspired architecture aplenty. There is an outdoor gondola experience, too, with vistas of the pirate-themed Treasure Island across the street. Indoor or outdoor, prepare to be serenaded by a singing gondolier.

The walk: Inside, stroll through the Venetian and its neighboring Palazzo until you reach a pedestrian overpass to the Wynn. For a quick detour, the biggest LED screen on Earth and entertainment venue, the Sphere , is right there to stare at.

Watch the Lake of Dreams fountain show at the Wynn

Whereas tickets to most shows on the Strip start in the upper-two or lower three-figures, there is a free one at the Wynn that often goes under the radar. Lake of Dreams is a multifaceted water attraction set on three acres, involving a 90ft waterfall, pine trees and a 5000-plus LED light spectacle. It’s best viewed from Bar Parasol , which has an outdoor patio and extensive cocktail menu.

The walk: If you’ve opted to end your walk at the Wynn, well, it’s time to either wander back south on the Strip, stroll to your hotel or snag a taxi/Uber/Lyft. If you still have some energy left in the tank, the “North Strip” is home to two of Las Vegas’ newest casino-resorts, Resorts World Las Vegas and Fontainebleau Las Vegas .

Bonus stop: dine like a baller at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the tallest building in the entire state of Nevada , officially opened its doors in late 2023. It was a celebrity-filled spectacle with a Justin Timberlake private performance and appearances by the likes of Cher, Tom Brady, Sylvester Stallone and Kim Kardashian. The buzz at the Miami-inspired spot continues on the culinary front with buzzy, club-esque restaurants from Groot Hospitality , like Komodo and Papi Steak. For the ultimate Vegas splurge, roll with a Beef Case at Papi Steak – a 55-ounce Wagyu tomahawk steak that’s presented in a golden briefcase.

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2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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