visit a city opiniones

Suggested companies

Visit A City   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.4.

7,931 total

Most relevant

Useless without internet

This app is to be used when touristing, in a foreign country. Chances are most people wont have internet in their celphone in that foreign country because they dont live there. It turns out this app is useless without internet. It should work without internet!!!

Date of experience : September 21, 2021

Reply from Visit A City

Hi Richard, Thanks for the feedback, however one of Visit A City's app most prominent features is it's ability to work offline including access to your plans, attractions and maps. Please contact [email protected], our support staff will be glad to assist. Happy Travels, Visit A City

Almost there

Sharing itineraries has been hit and miss. Modifying itineraries is a bit cumbersome. Drag and drop would be nice. All the start times are based on the initial start time. It would be nice to set a start time and a duration for an event. Right now it is just the duration

Date of experience : August 15, 2022

A “USEFUL” TRAVEL APP!!!

This is a great app and gets better as it grows!!! I am a seasoned traveller and can honestly say that this is very useful. It can be for those who love “planned holidays” but it can be for those who like spontaneity (tag ideas and do them on your own time vs being scheduled).

Date of experience : April 27, 2022

I have found VisitaCity extremely easy, conveniet.

I have found VisitaCity extremely helpful, to the point where, when planning a trip in a foreign city, I no longer even bother to look for additional resources. I've been using VisitaCity for about four years now, and I'm still surprised at how easy it is to use, how well organized it is, and the amount of useful information displayed.

Date of experience : April 28, 2023

App is amazing

App is amazing. We’re planning on a busy 7 days in Mexico City and this app really helped! Easy to use, pretty intuitive and the ability to plan your days the way you want is so awesome! Lots of linked resources, ticket links to activities and maps for your day are generated! Thanks!

Date of experience : December 04, 2021

Needs more tools built in

It’s difficult to manipulate start and stop times for each activity. I wish there was a transit time to add for ferrys and subways. Also wish you could see the full itinerary as it will print out prior to downloading

Date of experience : November 17, 2021

The ease of daily itineraries

I find Vist A City very helpful in organizing my city visits. They seem to find the best places to visit according to my interests I love having their 1-4 days itinerary available off line Great job

Date of experience : July 25, 2021

Your we found was way less expensive

Very good! It directed us to a tour that was 1/3 the price of most others to the same destination. Maid in the Mist was the highlight of the Niagara Falls visit. Exceptional experience! Our guide,Don, was engaging and informative.

Date of experience : September 24, 2021

Disappointed

We paid for a cruise tour and had to wait while two trips came and went. The tickets were not recognized by the tour and the extra lunch I paid for was not honored. We ended up with packaged cookies and a bottle of water. Even my kids didn’t want the cookie. I feel as though the tour company and Visit A City were not communicating on updates or changes. It turned out to be quite a disappointment.

Date of experience : August 15, 2021

Hi, Sorry to hear about your experience. Please contact [email protected] and we will help you check if you are entitled for a refund. Best regards, Visit A City

Nothing in the listings helped me plan…

Nothing in the listings helped me plan a one day trip, particularly for this fall season. It was all for the summer and mostly for "beach" activities. None of the cities I was interested in Michigan were even listed.

Date of experience : October 21, 2021

Great Experience Except for Hornblower Cruises of San Diego

Your part of the experience was great. What we used the first two days more than paid for the purchase plan. However, one of your vendors in San Diego, Hornblower Cruises, simply failed to open on two of our three days without even a sign at their ticketing kiosk. I don’t know about the first day because we didn’t try that day. That north Harbor cruise was part of the reason I purchased the three passes for San Diego.

Date of experience : July 20, 2021

Everglades crocodile/alligator experience... did not see a single animal of this type

Got information of where to start my tour less than 12 hours prior to leave. I think 24 hours prior to start a tour is better. (Tour started at 1:00 pm, got info 1:00 am, wanted to plan ahead our trip). Also, they should tell people prior to embark this tour, NOT TO EXPECT TO SEE THE ALLIGATORS, although that is what you are paying for. I know it is not in the hands of the crew to know if they will show up, but at least, let people know what it would be the possibility of that happening... and it happened, we did not see a single alligator/crocodile.

Date of experience : July 29, 2021

I couldn’t do day all by myself

I couldn’t do day all by myself, switch hotel like I’ll do and this was the reason I downloaded this app because it could have been really helpful on a trip. But overall I had access to a majority of activities in cities

Date of experience : August 01, 2021

states refunds available when it is not…

states refunds available when it is not accurate costing me 1,400 dollars and a wasted trip as it cannot be canceled as the site says for "nearby" places that were 3 hours away!! this app ruined my trip!!

Date of experience : August 18, 2021

Hi Danielle, Sorry to hear about your experience, please contact [email protected] with more details and we will see how we can help. Best Regards, Visit A City

Using visit a city

I have been using visit a city for years and its a great app. Have convrted many friends to it.Their help is very efficient and supportive. The last time I had a problem in ammending my planes as every entry apoeared in arabic. This too was delt with efficiently

Date of experience : January 11, 2023

really you did it Mashalla!

really you did it Mashalla!! proud of this city very interesting special still I have special feeling by what I have seen at dubai mall,Marian walk, Jumeirah... really very interesting for taxes driver little need to set fair price and follow theirs trip the long they take travel while they now it near.........Food little expensive but very Good service are there.....I like to thanks all leader and workers for they make dubia city beauty and city of all... loudly I can say it's city of All.......why not!!!!!!

Date of experience : September 22, 2021

I was impressed with the response in real time.

I was impressed with the level and speed of my exchange via email. I am happy to say that I have resolved the issue of how to use the desktop app and the iPhone app together, thanks to the explanation of the team member.

Date of experience : January 24, 2023

After I downloaded offline map

After I downloaded offline map, where I put my GPS and shows me I am too far from the tourists map (downloaded) I am not happy as I can't access to this app. Usually I will need to reset my phone or uninstall this app and download it again, it will work. So it can be nervig when I can use it. Once I am in, its perfect to use this offline map.

Date of experience : November 08, 2021

It keeps changing the days that we will…

It keeps changing the days that we will be on the trip. also it does not take into consideration that we might have some other plans in addition to the suggestions.

Hi, Thanks for providing feedback. We are interested to learn more about the experience so we can improve for the next time. Please contact [email protected], we greatly appreciate the opportunity. Happy Travels, Visit A CIty

Thank you for your attention to my…

Thank you for your attention to my email. Your quick response and ability to solve my issue immediately was very much appreciated! I love using visit a city for all my tour bookings!!

Date of experience : April 23, 2022

Suggested companies

Visit A City   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.4.

7,931 total

Most recent

Planning a trip to Shanghai was easier because…

Planning a trip to Shanghai was made easier because your site Visit A City gave me up-to-date information on options for tours/visits. I particularly liked the suggested options for quick 2 to 3-day tour or the relaxed 4-day visits; and the option to select nearby sites and attractions. Although I did not use the guide strictly and did my own schedules, the information helped me get to where I wanted at my own pace, energy and budget. Thank you and more power!

Date of experience : 01 November 2017

Fabulous App

Brilliant resource. I'd like the facility to choose attractions and it (the app) order them for a custom day plan. Also have facility to change start location of suggested day plans.

Date of experience : 31 October 2017

Liked the app!!

Liked the app! Excellent to set up your schedule for any trip.

I used this app on our Budapest

I used this app on our Budapest - Vienna- Prague trip. It was great! I'm planning a trip to Florida this winter and I'm using it again.

Date of experience : 30 October 2017

Good ideas of how to spend time and the …

Good ideas of how to spend time and the best sights to see.

Date of experience : 29 October 2017

extremely helpful

great assistance in organizing a 4 days trip to Amsterdam, thanks

Activities to suit most

Good range of activities to suit most budgets available. Easy to reserve and pay for excursions through the app. Good ideas and information.

i can put my comments once i visit the …

i can put my comments once i visit the city and find out that the information given on the site is actually a good feedback.

Date of experience : 28 October 2017

Bus tour to Kyoto, Nara & Kobe

This day tour is very well organized. The buffet lunch and shabu shabu dinner is well worth it. After dinner at Mosaics Kobe I enjoyed a good hour of tax-free shopping in the mall across the road from Mosaics. There's a wide selection of all tax free items and best part is there's no queue or large crowd. Much better shopping here than in the crowded tax free shops in Osaka. So remember to bring your passport for tax-free shopping in Kobe.

I had never been to Hong Kong before and this website helped me plan all my sight seeing. I would definitely use it again

Amazing app

Amazing app. They created this for ppl like me who just want an itinerary to follow without doing all the hard planning.

It will be my always first pick for vacation suggestions

Excellent and very well organized tour trips. We actually visited Rome and followed the iternery suggested and had a lot of fun.

Date of experience : 27 October 2017

Amazing Tour Guide!!!

Thought this was a fun way to help us ….

Thought this was a fun way to help us see more sites that were close together in Nashville. As Nashville is a very traffic congested, highway kind of driving city, it was good to use this feature. Couldn't visit the zoo because of extremely humid and rainy weather, but were able to do indoor activities - viewing the art at the Parthenon and visiting the Frist Centre for Visual Arts downtown, which we might not have thought of otherwise! Thanks

I was sitting in the centre of Malaga City in Spain, the GPS receiver was running on my phone, the Visit A City app with a pre-downloaded map of Malaga centre was running. I then tried to press what I assumed was the GPS button to display my position in the map. The app then displayed 'Sorry. Your position is too far'. A meaningless sentence which explains nothing. The app did not discover that my phone actually was situated in Malaga. And if the map in the app is NOT supposed to be combined with the user's actual GPS position, then the app is an useless app, in my opinion. Thus, I immediately uninstalled it.

Awesome app!!!

Used your app in Barcelona it was wonderful and useful, it help us explore more than we anticipated on seeing thanks !!!!!

Very useful tool

Recommended by a friend. Very useful.

It’s a great resource at your …

It’s a great resource at your fingertips providing different itineraries and highlights based on your need. It’s organized and easy to use.

I used it for a 3 days trip in …

I used it for a 3 days trip in Edinburgh, really nice! However some problems concerning opening hours, opening days.. I find very interesting that the app organises our day by assembling small distance viewings, a thing which can be difficult only with a book guide.

Many offers

Good way to find best price and shortest time

Empresas sugeridas

Visit A City   Opiniones

En la categoría Agencia de viajes

Visitar sitio web

Actividad empresarial Ver todo

Escribir una opinión

Opiniones 4,4.

7931 en total

5 estrellas

4 estrellas

3 estrellas

2 estrellas

Más relevantes

La mayoría de las sugerencias me …

La mayoría de las sugerencias me parecen atinadas, sin embargo la ida a Murano me molesto, el vaporeto paro en el muelle de la fabrica de vidrio, muy bonito ver al Señor hacer las figuras, luego nos cerraron todas las puertas y nos obligaron a ver su tienda, cuando vieron que y ya era hora de subir nuevamente al transporte, abrieron las puertas para salir al pueblo, es un abuso que decidan sobre el tiempo de uno que es tan limitado en esos paseos, yo no recomendaría hacer ese paseo o que las personas indaguen primero si la visita a la fabrica es obligatoria, porque si habían otros vapores que estaban en otro muelle.

Fecha de la experiencia : 01 de junio de 2017

Util y fácil de usar

Entrega una buena guía de cómo organizar los días y los principales lugares a visitar. Es un excelente comienzo cuando no se ha visitado anteriormente una ciudad y además da una descripción resumida del lugar.

Fecha de la experiencia : 20 de marzo de 2017

Excelente posibilidad de realizar todo lo planificado . Muy buena opción para saber las diferentes atracciones que tienen las ciudades y no perderse nada

Fecha de la experiencia : 13 de octubre de 2017

Pedi modificar el sentido de mi viaje…

Pedi modificar el sentido de mi viaje en tren para ir desde el aeropuerto de Hong Kong hacia la isla de Hong Kong y no me dieron esa posibilidad asi que no podré utilizar lo que compré.

Fecha de la experiencia : 09 de enero de 2020

Las ocasiones que lo hemos utilizado en…

Las ocasiones que lo hemos utilizado en Paris y Las Vegas fue de gran ayuda, lo he recomendando a amigos y los comentarios son igual de buenos

Fecha de la experiencia : 05 de diciembre de 2019

Exelente manera de poder dar a conocer…

Exelente manera de poder dar a conocer tus inquietudes y que así puedas buscar una ayuda mejor o una mejor solución a tu problema

Fecha de la experiencia : 12 de marzo de 2020

Excelente servicio turístico

Muy buena la guía que solicité. Me llegó rápidamente a mi correo. Muy útil en la planificación de mi viaje.

Fecha de la experiencia : 13 de febrero de 2020

Buenas Tardes.

Buenas Tardes. La pagina es excelente, tiene todo lo indispensable para organizar un viaje y poder agregar/quitar lugares de mi interes. Gracias

Fecha de la experiencia : 06 de agosto de 2018

Excelente app

Me encanta porque hay opciones de todo tipo y de acuerdo a preferencias puedes elegir el que mas te acomode lo malo es que solo esta en ingles

Fecha de la experiencia : 05 de enero de 2018

Es una buena herramienta

Es una buena herramienta, pero limitada para hacer ediciones mas profundas de lo planeado. Además no es posible transferir el plan a la aplicación de calendario del celular

Fecha de la experiencia : 25 de mayo de 2018

excelente opcion

El itinerario propuesto estuvo excelente en tiempos y horarios de los lugares a visitar. Sin duda la mejor opcion para planear un viaje.

Fecha de la experiencia : 06 de octubre de 2017

Me salvó de muchas durante mi viaje en …

Me salvó de muchas durante mi viaje en el extranjero en el que no tenía internet o mapa físico. Excelente aplicación

Fecha de la experiencia : 03 de abril de 2017

Interesante y práctica información

Interesante y práctica información. Una página amigable. Me gusta. La reviso con frecuencia. Saludos!!

Fecha de la experiencia : 03 de septiembre de 2020

Se encontraban todos mis destinos

Se encontraban todos mis destinos, solo falto salamanca (agregar a sus recorridos). Y me sirvió demasiado. Muchas gracias.

Fecha de la experiencia : 07 de febrero de 2019

Buena ayuda para organizar el viaje día a día

Ayuda mucho a organizar tu viaje ya que tiene muchos de las cosas que visitar y te pone el tiempo qur tardarás en ir de un lugar a otro y el tiempo de visita

Fecha de la experiencia : 21 de noviembre de 2019

Excelente aplicación

Excelente aplicación Me encanto Aun no viajo pero estoy planeando mi intinerario con su información ybuenos precios

Fecha de la experiencia : 09 de mayo de 2019

Fue una aplicación de mucha ayuda en…

Fue una aplicación de mucha ayuda en nuestro viaje a Sicilia , sólo sugiero que se pueda obtener en otros idiomas .

Fecha de la experiencia : 24 de septiembre de 2018

Creo que falta a la aplicación

Creo que falta a la aplicación: poder cambiar de itinerario y que se te acomoden las actividades Una casilla de check para poder ir marcando a lo que se visita

Fecha de la experiencia : 04 de noviembre de 2017

Experiencia inolvidable

Linda experiencia, pero el carro en que hicimos el recorrido, el piso de arriba está mojado y las carteras se mojaron

Fecha de la experiencia : 15 de febrero de 2017

Es perfecto para tener una guía cuando…

Es perfecto para tener una guía cuando vas de viaje, así siempre visitas lo más importante!!

Fecha de la experiencia : 25 de junio de 2020

Visit A City

About this app

Data safety.

Ratings and reviews

• Flag inappropriate

• Show review history

What's new

App support, similar apps.

• Lotería Nacional
• Turistas Afganistán
• Felipe y Letizia
• Barça - Real Sociedad
• Peluquería Cornellà
• Experiencias
• Personalidades

Visit A City, la herramienta perfecta para planear un viaje

La app del viernes, itinerarios personalizados según los intereses y los días disponibles.

Viajar es un placer, pero para que salga bien es necesario una planificación previa , sobre todo, si no se dispone de mucho tiempo. Y aunque no esté todo decidido, sí que merece la pena perder algo de tiempo programando algunas visitas y recorridos, es importante saber qué se puede visitar y cuándo, así se evitan sorpresas de última hora.

Y gracias a las aplicaciones móviles es más sencillo realizar los preparativos de un viaje. Una de estas herramientas que facilita la vida es Visit A City que, como indica su nombre, sirve para organizar la visita a cualquier ciudad alrededor del mundo.

Para qué sirve

Esta aplicación es perfecta para preparar una guía personalizada con todas las actividades, eventos, y atracciones turísticas con su ubicación, precios y descripciones detallas. Así que se puede organizar itinerarios diarios con los horarios, la distancia entre los distintos puntos a visitar, el tiempo de desplazamiento en los distinto medios de transporte, también se pueden ver los comentarios de otros viajeros, si vale la pena o no visitarlos, el coste que supone, así como reservar un tour o comprar las entradas.

La información guardada se puede consultar sin conexión para tenerla siempre a mano, y se puede modificar en línea mostrando la mejor ruta.

Cómo funciona

Se trata de una aplicación gratuita disponible tanto en iOS como en Android. Hay que registrarse para poder guardar el plan, y lo primero que hay que hacer es buscar la ciudad deseada , por defecto existen unas 1.500 de todo el mundo ya planificadas.

Se muestran cinco pestañas: cosas que hacer, de uno a siete días, atracciones, mapa, mis planes y reservas.

Para empezar lo mejor es seleccionar los días que durará el viaje , hasta siete días permite planificar. A partir de ahí se sugieren planes ya hechos para esa ciudad. Hay que escoger uno, y si nos gusta guardarlo y si no modificarlo a través del botón edit (editar), añadiendo y quitando atracciones con add Atracction ... , también se puede añadir el hotel en el que nos alojamos, algunos restaurantes, y lugares interesantes, incluso se puede modificar el orden del itinerario y eliminar aquellas cosas que no nos interesen con set attractions order .

En la barra superior donde aparecen los días, también aparece la opción de wishlist que permite buscar a través del botón search otro tipo de atracciones , por proximidad a los lugares del mapa, y por supuesto se pueden añadir la mapa con add to itinerary y así completar el programa deseado. La ruta puede visualizarse en forma de gráfico, donde se indica el tiempo que llevará llegar de un punto a otro o bien directamente en un mapa.

En las otras pestañas de la aplicación se permite buscar por ‘cosas que hacer’ aparecerá un lista con todo de actividades que pueden filtrarse por sort (tipo de actividad) y por check dates (fechas), son opciones de pago, o por atractions donde se muestran las principales visitas turísticas con su horario y ubicación. Todas las modificaciones se guardan automáticamente.

Es necesario perder algo de tiempo para organizar las rutas diarias , pero merece la pena el esfuerzo para aprovechar el máximo la visita.

Perder algo de tiempo para organizar pero merece la pena para aprovechar luego el tiempo

Suggested companies

Visit A City   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.4.

7,931 total

Most relevant

Quick and Responsive Customer Service

I wanted to transfer all my itineraries I created from my old email account to my new email account. There wasn’t a way to do it myself so I had to contact customer service. Amir was quick and responsive to do this immediately. So many thanks, Amir. Perhaps in the future there will be a feature for us users to update our email ourselves in our profile/account and be able to retain all our work.

Date of experience : 11 May 2024

Easy, organized and detailed itinenaries

3 years ago, I had the pleasure of using visit a city to plan my upcoming vacation, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. It offers a wide range of meticulously crafted itineraries for various destinations and attractions nearby with how many minutes of walk in between or public transport. And now I am planning another trip and I am so glad that they still have the website available :)

Date of experience : 07 March 2024

This app is like your personal travel…

This app is like your personal travel manager on your phone. It is a must for any city trips. I used it in 10+ cities and it made all the sightseeing easy and accessible. I’m very impressed with the accuracy and flexibility. One of the best apps I have ever downloaded.

Date of experience : 03 February 2024

I've used these guides since 2015

I've used these guides since 2015 - 16 cities in 5 countries. It's the best way to ensure you are hitting all of the top attractions you should see (and avoiding some you aren't interested in or are duplicative). The maps, opening times and descriptions all help to make good decisions. The download capability is great for when you're on the go. I've shared the app with friends who are all appreciative of its features.

Date of experience : 21 February 2022

Good but could be better - Web interface is a bit clunky

Web interface is a bit clunky. The ability to move tours between days would be easier in a view showing all days and all tours. Being able to create lunch breaks every day that slotted in with the tours around lunchtime would help. Warnings show up incorrectly for start times when arrival time = opening time. Lots of edits causes failure to add hotel. Download/print itinerary often fails.

Date of experience : 03 September 2021

Using this app is vital to a great experience in any city!

We booked two tours and both were excellent. Luis with Viva Tours did a fantastic job taking us around the missions and giving us lots of information about San Antonio. Robert with nations tours did an excellent Segway tour of San Antonio. Both of them contacted me prior to the tour and made sure we would be ready. We have used Visit a City in many different cities around the globe and they never disappoint!

Date of experience : 12 September 2021

The Visit the City app makes planning…

The Visit the City app makes planning your trip so easy. Using the app you can setup your schedule by day, time and attraction. It gives you valuable information on where attractions are located and the times they are open so you can adjust your schedule. The map feature is very helpful. You can plot out your plan of the day and adjust the event/attraction to minimize wasting time. We always started our route for the day from our rental apartment then selected attractions, events, tours we wanted to see and created the map on the app for each individual day. Great app

Date of experience : 05 December 2021

Great city intro and route advice

This is a very helpful tool to learn about the sights to see in various cities. The best feature is organizing a walking tour of the places you choose, with recommended time at each spot, estimated walking time between, and the most efficient route. Even adjusts for open hours. I've used it for several city visits. Very handy, so glad a friend recommended it.

Date of experience : 15 July 2021

Functionality has reduced

Have been using the site for several years but appears some functionality has been removed, ie. amend mode of transport to more than 1 option on same day. App also has less functionality than site so I need to login via google/explorer to make updates

Date of experience : 05 September 2022

I love all the great options offered on…

I love all the great options offered on the Visit a City website. However, my city visits aren't until 2022, so... this site has proven amazing for planning, dreaming and keeping my travel spirits positive as we wade through this pandemic... Inshallah all will be well soon and we will all meet during our travels! ❤

Date of experience : 05 September 2021

Has Potential

Aug 11, 2021 VisitACity's customer service is prompt and responsive, but I still cannot pull city information unless a turn off wifi on my iphone. Aug 2, 2021 Useless. unless you are really into error messages. For example, as I try it now, I am getting "no network connection was detected" message even though I am now at home on my wifi.

Date of experience : 30 July 2021

Reply from Visit A City

Hi, Sorry to hear about your experience. Please contact [email protected], our support staff can help resolve the issue. Visit A City

Great tool, but has some little things to improve. On one city I follow the schedule proposed, and it make me walk a lot more because the last place to visit, I walked by in the morning. Another detail, and not so much, the working hours of the places (museums, etc), in several cities, when I arrived, they closed much earlier, so I missed a couple of museums. On software bugs, even though it show me to change a visit to another day, the app didnt let me. Once I learned this issues, I double check hours of operation, routes, etc. And I loved it, because it help me a lot to organize the trips.

Date of experience : 29 July 2021

This is the best app I have found to effectively plan a trip to a new place!

This is the best app I have found to plan a trip to a new city! I love the suggested itinerary and how easy it is to change the events and move items between days. I would enjoy having an easier way to add my own events and locations to the plan; it is possible to do this, but it requires too many steps. We are looking forward to living daily using this app during our stays in London and Paris.

Visit the City is excellent!

Visit the City is excellent!, helps you to develop a schedule to visit any city with recommendations, time, distance, and even tours!, I love how you can see the attractions on a map, from their suggestions you can modify, add, delete or change order its so easy until to get the perfect schedule that fits your needs, you then can download it! its Awesome!!

Date of experience : 09 February 2022

Visit A City does it all!

Visit A City is the most comprehensive and helpful travel site I have ever used! Planning travel can be time consuming and difficult. I can find all the key tourist's sites with not only a description but opening dates hours and cost-with a direct link to book! I can build a personal itinerary easily and get a personalized map to boot! I love that I can organize my time, add a custom location such as VRBO location or restaurant, and can't believe it's so user friendly. Honestly, I couldn't ask for anything more! Unless it was the addition of more cities! It is always my "go to", and I recommend it often!

Date of experience : 17 June 2022

A Great Travel Resource

I accessed this site after reading several travel guide books for Rome and Athens. Visit A City was helpful in planning our three days in these cities and making the best use of our time. It confirmed the other information I had researched and I was reassured that we were not missing any important sites. Also, the connections to local tours was helpful and we did book several.

Date of experience : 24 July 2021

I have used this program several times…

I have used this program several times and it is tremendous at making sure you don’t miss what’s important. They give you enough options and information so you can determine what you would like to spend your time doing. For me, I like to know what I am not going to do as well as what I am going to do as it affords me options.

Date of experience : 28 October 2021

Great App. Very useful for planning sightseeing. Wish it had also reviews of restaurants which would make it even better. Also, was hoping that the links to purchasing entry tickets would Lee’s to the official sites and not to 3rd parties. Very helpful app for planning the trip and getting from site to site

Date of experience : 21 September 2021

I am a vocational student with a…

I am a vocational student with a bachelor's I know many handicrafts, such as electric hose reels But I can't afford to study in the country. I am currently in Istanbul, Turkey We have asked you to take me to Europe We respectfully request that you consider the applicant

Date of experience : 20 October 2021

Useful site for planning trips

I use this site all the time when I plan a trip to a city they have listed. I particularly like the interactive map that plans out the most efficient way to see places. I would have given five stars if it weren't so confusing to get the map to come up and to see the detailed instructions for getting around.

Date of experience : 01 November 2021

No products in the basket.

The best things to do and places to visit in Moscow, Russia

Updated On 14th October, 2021

While Moscow isn’t always at the top of everyone’s Europe bucket list , it’s certainly one of the best places to visit in Europe if you’re looking for a more alternative adventure! In this blog post I plan on sharing some of the free things to do in Moscow, as well as the best places to visit in Moscow, so that you can enjoy some of the best things to do in Russia! 

Moscow, the capital of Russia, sits in the European part of the country. It’s an incredibly beautiful city, which I personally found to be more beautiful than Saint Petersburg (which is often people’s preference). The capital is certainly a lot busier, and less laid back than Saint Petersburg , but it’s a much more colourful and vibrant city, full of stunning and unique architecture.

Visiting famous landmarks such as The Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral, enjoying some of the green space in Gorky Park, watching a ballet in the Bolshoi Theatre… these are just a few reasons that you should visit Moscow! On top of that, because of visa restrictions (we’ll get onto that later), it’s also one of the most unique destinations in Europe. 

There is a common misconception that Moscow is a dangerous city, but now that I’ve visited, I don’t believe this to be true. I would say the same rules apply here as to other large cities: avoid walking in dark areas alone at night, keep an eye on your belongings on public transport, and be streetwise. There’s no reason to avoid visiting this energetic city and miss out on these amazing things to do in Moscow! 

It would take months if you wanted to truly explore Moscow because it’s a huge city, but I’m going to share some of my favourite things to do in Moscow and places to visit in Moscow so that you can prepare for your upcoming adventure! Even if you’re only there for a few days, you should be able to fit in these highlights from my trip. 

Other blog posts you might be interested in...

• The best things to do in St Petersburg
• A 2-week Norway road trip
• A complete guide to Helsinki
• A complete guide to Tallinn
• Europe: the ultimate travel guide
• The best capital cities to visit in Europe
• The best things to do in Europe: the ultimate Europe bucket list

Where is Moscow?

If you’re wondering ‘Where is Moscow, Russia?’ then you’ve come to the right place! Moscow in in west Russia, the European part, and it’s the capital city. 

How do you get to Moscow?

Getting a visa for moscow:.

To get into Russia, you need to get a visa. The processing time is approximately 20 days, and you’ll need to have your fingerprints taken at a visa centre in London , Edinburgh or Manchester. You can find out more about getting a visa for Russia here.  

Getting to Moscow:

Once you’ve got your visa, the easiest way to get to Moscow from the UK is by flying. Direct flights between London and Moscow take just under four hours, and with an airport layover you’re looking at a 6-7 hour trip. You can also fly in from many other major European and international cities. 

Top tip: Check out flights to and from Copenhagen on  Skyscanner here.

Check out how to pack a weekend away in a carry-on suitcase here.

16 best places to visit in Moscow...

1. st basil’s cathedral.

The most iconic building in Russia and one of the most iconic buildings in the world. St Basil’s Cathedral is one of the best places to visit in Moscow, if not the best! 

St Basil’s is situated on Red Square, where you’ll also find many other popular places to visit in Moscow. In my opinion this still stands out against them all. There’s something about the multi coloured domes against the Moscow skyline that I found quite spectacular. 

Although I’d already been in Russia for several days, it wasn’t until I was at this amazing piece of architecture that I really felt I was in Russia.

The cathedral was built by order of Ivan the Terrible, and apparently after the architect completed it, Ivan blinded him so that he could never build anything more beautiful. Whether or not this story is true, it certainly adds a bittersweet feeling as you stand admiring the beauty of St Basil’s Cathedral.

Inside is a museum displaying many historic items once used at the cathedral, which costs 700 rubles to enter. In my opinion it’s worth the entry fee, as simply seeing the ornate interior walls is a spectacle in itself.

2. The Kremlin

This historic fortress that sits on Red Square is probably the largest landmark and one of the most popular places to visit in Moscow. It’s the official residence of the President, although he doesn’t actually live there. It’s been rebuilt many times since it was first constructed in 1147 out of wood, before Ivan III the Great ordered it to be made from stone, which is the Kremlin you’ll recognise today. 

This place is huge, and there’s quite a lot to see. The first problem I had was finding where the entrance was. Even though I had a pre-booked ticket, I was then told I still had to visit the ticket office to exchange it for another ticket. I also needed my passport, so make sure you have yours if you plan to visit the Kremlin. After a lengthy queue I finally had a ticket I could use to enter the Kremlin, and had to go through security. The security here is thorough, so make sure you don’t take too much in with you. I had my pockets full, and it was a nightmare emptying them and explaining each item, before I was finally allowed in. Once inside you can pay for extra tickets to visit the various museums, however there’s also quite a lot to see simply on the grounds if you don’t want to spend too much. 

See more tips for travelling on a budget here. 

There’s so much to see here, including The Assumption Cathedral, Ivan the Great Bell Tower Complex, the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Armoury Chamber and Diamond Fund. There is also the Tsar Cannon (a huge artillery cannon), and the Tsar Bell. The Tsar Bell is the largest bell in the world. An incident with a fire and water being poured over the bell caused it to crack and for a slab to break off from it, which can now be seen propped up next to it.

As you walk around the grounds you’ll hear the sound of whistles. The guards patrolling the area will blow a whistle at anyone walking where they shouldn’t. Even if it’s just on the grass, or towards more restricted areas. This can sometimes be funny to watch, as often the tourists will be in a world of their own whilst a guard is blowing a whistle at them. Sometimes a guard will be stood face to face with a tourist angrily blowing their whistle before the tourist realises they need to get back onto the main path.

This is perhaps one of the more unusual places to visit in Moscow! Gum is a huge department store situated on Red Square. It’s an interesting department store to walk around, with several levels, although the shops inside are certainly quite pricey. It’s a beautiful building when it’s lit up at night, and it seems to fit in nicely amongst the other famous sights on Red Square. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything here, one of the best things to do in Moscow is to take a quick look inside, although bear in mind there are usually security checks before entering.

4. State Historical Museum

The large crimson building on Red Square is now the State Historical Museum. It was originally the first pharmacy in Russia, and later a University before finally becoming the museum it is today.

Unfortunately I didn’t go inside as my time was limited and there was so much else I wanted to see, but if you have the time I think it would be one of the best things to do in Moscow. There are items dating back to the 6th century, and maybe even further. There’s also a library inside storing many ancient manuscripts and the largest coin collection in Russia. 

5. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi means big in Russian, so it roughly translates to large theatre. The Bolshoi Theatre is one of the foremost ballet companies in the world. The exterior of the building is an impressive sight, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Moscow, and it’s certainly worth admiring from the outside. There are guided tours of the interior, but if you really want to experience the theatre, one of the best things to do in Moscow is to watch a ballet here.

I was torn between booking a seat, but the ballets were very expensive. I’d have liked to have seen “Swan Lake”, (as at least I may have recognised some of the music). Unfortunately there were no performances on the days I was in Moscow, so I decided to pass. But if I return to Russia, then watching a ballet will be on my list of things to do.

6. Sparrow Hills

If you want a good view of the city, then Sparrow Hills is one of the best places to visit in Moscow. It’s a bit of a trek outside of the centre, but if you have the time then it offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. There’s a viewing platform here which gives you fantastic panoramic views of Moscow.

Nearby you’ll see the magnificent Moscow State University building, which is one of the seven sisters of Moscow.

7. Seven Sisters

Whilst in Moscow, you’ll no doubt notice these magnificent soviet skyscrapers dotted around the city. At the time of construction they were the tallest buildings in Europe, Moscow State University being so until 1997. There are, as the name suggests, seven in total, which are: Hotel Ukraina, Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Apartments, the Kudrinskaya Square Building, the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya Hotel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moscow State University, and the Red Gates Administrative Building.

If you visit Sparrow Hills, then you’ll come across Moscow State University, but I’m certain as you explore the city, you’ll see more of these giants against the Moscow skyline. One of the best things to do in Moscow is to see if you can locate all seven as you wander round the city! 

8. Nikolskaya Street

The start of this street is found by Red Square. It’s one of the most prominent pedestrianised streets in Moscow, filled with shops, restaurants and bars, so one of the best places to visit in Moscow if you’re looking for a bite to eat or some souvenirs!

What makes this street extra special are the thousands of bright lights in the sky above. After dark it looks simply magical with the many colourful lights overhead as you walk beneath them. One of the best things to do in Moscow is to visit Nikolskaya Street after dark and see them for yourself. It almost feels like Christmas in London!

There is another street nearby which also features similar lights, “Kuznetskiy Most”, which is also quite beautiful, but I thought “Nikolskaya Street” was ever slightly more impressive.

9. Izmailovo Kremlin and Izmaylovskiy Bazar

Did you know that The Kremlin in Red Square is not the only Kremlin in Moscow? Kremlin actually means a type of fortress, so there are many in Russia.

The Izmailovo Kremlin is a fairly new addition to the city, having been built in 2007 as a cultural centre. With its multitude of colours and historic style, it has a real fairytale feel to it. There are several small museums here for you to explore, devoted to subjects such as Russian folk art, vodka and bread (yes, bread). Visiting these is definitely one of the more unique things to do in Moscow! 

It’s a little way out of the centre, but it’s an interesting place to visit in Moscow to see something a little bit different, and it won’t be as overcrowded with tourists. 

Next to the Izmailovo Kremlin is the best market in Moscow for souvenirs. You’ll find good and poor quality items, but you’ll certainly pick up a bargain if you take your time and haggle for a good price. Many of the items here you’ll get for half the price you would in souvenir shops in the city centre. It’s here that I picked up several Matryoshka dolls for a very good price. I think I’d have paid more than double, or possibly even triple if I’d have bought them elsewhere.

10. Izmailovsky Park

Not too far from Izmailovo Kremlin you’ll find this huge park, one of the prettiest places to visit in Moscow. It’s easy to get lost here, so try to make sure you keep track of where you entered if you plan to go back the same way. There’s a lot to see in this park, a round pond, ferris wheel, playgrounds and sports grounds, shooting galleries, cinemas and a skate park.

There are often festivals, concerts and exhibitions at the park, on top of firework displays and dance parties.

The main reason I chose to visit the park was to find the painted trees. A local artist “Yevgenia Khlynina” has been painting on trees in this park, and one of the best things to do in Moscow is to explore the park looking for them. One of the most famous pieces of hers is the “Hedgehog in the Fog” from a famous soviet cartoon.

11. Gorky Park

The most famous park in Moscow is named after the writer “Maxim Gorky”. Although it’s likely you’ve heard it mentioned in the song “Wind of Change” by “The Scorpions”. 

There’s lots to do and see in the park with sports facilities and exhibitions. During the summer months this is one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for things to do in Moscow; there are often open air concerts and an open air cinema. There are many statues and sculptures in the park, including a small sculpture park area which features many interesting pieces.

One piece of advice: don’t visit Gorky Park or any other parks on 2nd August if you’re in Russia. 2nd August is Paratrooper day, which usually encourages a lot of drinking in the park, which is not always very welcoming.

12. Arbat Street

One of the oldest and busiest streets in Moscow, and the most famous pedestrian street in the city. Arbat is one of the most popular places to visit in Moscow. There are several shops including many dedicated to souvenirs, but although these will have a good range of goods, they will be quite expensive . You may see street performers and buskers, and there are often poets reciting famous works, if not their own works.

It’s within walking distance from the Kremlin, which should only take around 10 minutes.

There are actually two streets with this name, Old Arbat Street and New Arbat Street. Old Arbat Street is where you’ll find the pedestrianised area. New Arbat Street is a separate street which runs alongside a main road, filled with many bars and restaurants.

13. Metro station art

The best way to get around Moscow is by using the metro, and the metro is a tourist attraction in itself.

Although I obviously didn’t visit every metro station, I believe that every single station is unique in its own beautiful way. Many of the stations I passed through were impressive, quirky or simply jaw dropping. You’ll more than likely pass through many of them on the way to other sights, but I’d recommend the following:  Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Mayakovskaya, Teatralnaya, Arbatskaya, Prospekt Mira and Ploschad Revolutsii (be sure to pet the dog statue for good luck).

There are of course many others for you to explore, but these are the ones I considered to be some of the most impressive places to visit in Moscow (even if they’re only metro stations!).

VDNKh is an exhibition centre with many monuments and museums. Now that it’s combined with the Botanical Garden and Ostankino Park, one of the best things to do in Moscow is to spend the day at this recreational centre enjoying a mix of nature and culture. The most popular museum in the complex which you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Moscow is the Museum of Cosmonautics.

15. Lenin's Mausoleum

Despite requesting to be buried with his mum in St Petersburg, it is at the foot of the Kremlin on Red Sqaure that you will find Lenin’s Mausoleum, where Vladimir Ilych Lenin has been frozen in time since 1924. It’s only open for a few hours a few times per week. Photography is not allowed, and you should line up on the western corner of the square (near Alexander Garden) to wait you turn to see the embalmed body. 

16. Novodevichy Convent

Novodevichy Convent, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Moscow. Located south west of the centre you’ll find this stunning monastery. Inside you’ll find a cathedral and several churches, surrounded by high walls and 12 towers.

Where are your favourite places to visit in Moscow?

What about the best things to do in Moscow? Anything you’d add?

Love as always and happy adventuring…

I’m Spike! Solo traveller, cultural explorer and world adventurer! With 57 countries under my belt, I live and breathe travel. I never plan to stop exploring new destinations and experiencing new cultures.

Did you find this post helpful? I’d love you to share it for me.

Pin and save this blog post for later…

IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU

I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

Shop the google map legends

Search by adventure type, active travel, backpacking, budget travel, love and relationships, once in a lifetime, packing tips, solo travel, weekend getaways, where's mollie newsletter, travel shop, search by destination, other posts that you may like....

REVIEW: Flying with Qatar to Ras Al Khaimah | The A380 Experience

Koh Samui – Part 1.

A packing list for the ultimate camping experience

A 10-day west Scotland road trip itinerary

The best things to do in Switzerland

Post-safari beach days in Watamu, Kenya

From A Level Maths to Travelling Full Time. How did I do it?

Exploring Albania: Gjirokaster and our last day spent in Berat

12 unique ideas for a day out in London

Privacy overview.

Planning a trip to Moscow? Our travel guide contains up-to-date, personal information on everything from what to see , to when to visit , where to stay , and what to eat !

• General Information
• What to see
• How to get to Moscow
• Where to stay
• Where to eat

Why visit Moscow?

Majestic churches, impressive historic fortresses, and palatial buildings: Moscow is a fascinating city whose emblematic architecture reflects the turbulent history that has defined Russia throughout the centuries.

The traces of the USSR can be found around every corner of the city , side by side with the iconic relics of Imperial Russia , like the mythical Red Square , the imposing Kremlin , and the beautiful  St Basil's Cathedral . 

Discover a fascinating world of Cold War bunkers, golden-domed basilicas, world-class art museums, and the legendary "palace of the people,"  as the Moscow Metro has been nicknamed. Whether you fancy watching a classical Russian ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre , perusing the fine arts at the Pushkin Museum , or marveling at the sheer size of the monuments to the Soviet state's achievements at the  All-Russia Exhibition Centre , this travel guide will help you on your way!

Where to start?

If you're going to travel to Moscow and you don't know much about the city yet, the first thing to do is to dive into its legendary history - understanding the past will help you understand the present. Next, check out our practical hints and tips on traveling to the city before discovering which of its most important museums , monuments , and attractions pique your interest.

Looking for a place to stay?

Booking your accommodation in advance is the best way to get great discounts. Our detailed guide on where to stay in Moscow  will help you decide which neighborhood you'd like to look for hotels or apartments in, and our hotel search engine will find you the best deals!

Why is our Moscow travel guide the best?

Introducing Moscow is a  city guide written by travelers for travelers  and contains personalized advice to help you make the most of your trip to the city.

All the information in this guide is valid as of December 2022. If you find any errors or have any comments, please feel free to contact us .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

17 Top Tourist Attractions in Moscow

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

The capital of Russia is an incredible place to explore. Visitors to Moscow come away spellbound at all the amazing sights, impressed at the sheer size and grandeur of the city. Lying at the heart of Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are just two of the must-see tourist attractions; they are the historical, political and spiritual heart of the city – and indeed Russia itself.

A fascinating city to wander around, stunning cathedrals, churches, and palaces lie side-by-side with bleak grey monuments and remains from the Soviet state. In addition to its plethora of historical and cultural tourist attractions, Moscow is home to world-class museums, theaters and art galleries.

Renowned for its performing arts, fantastic ballets and amazing circus acts, catching a show while in Moscow is a must. The wealth of brilliant restaurants, trendy bars, and lively nightlife means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

See also: Where to Stay in Moscow

17. Tsaritsyno Palace

Once the summer residence of Catherine the Great, the stunning Tsaritsyno Palace is now a museum-reserve. The architecture is magnificent and there is a lovely park surrounding it for visitors to explore.

Located in the south of Moscow, the palace was commissioned in 1775 and recent renovations mean its lavish interior looks better than ever before with its elegant halls and beautiful staircases.

The exhibits on display look at the life of the empress as well as the history of Tsaritsyno itself. The huge palace grounds are also home to some other delightful buildings with the elegant opera house and wonderful brickwork of the Small Palace being particularly impressive to gaze upon.

Starting out in 1935 as the ‘All-Union Agricultural Exhibition’, VDNKh has slowly morphed over the years into the fascinating open-air museum of today. Remarkably, over 400 buildings can now be found within its confines.

The huge park complex has numerous pavilions representing former Soviet republics on show, such as those of Armenia and Turkmenistan and the distinctive architecture of each of the buildings is always interesting to gaze upon. In addition to this there is the fascinating Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics which is dedicated to space exploration and the fun Moskvarium aquarium even offers you the chance to swim with dolphins.

With lots of eateries scattered about and numerous entertainment options such as horse-riding and zip-lining, there is something for everyone to enjoy; the Friendship of Nations fountain truly is wonderful.

15. Kremlin Armoury

One of the oldest museums in the city, the Kremlin Armoury has a wealth of treasures; highlights include the ornate Grand Siberian Railway egg, the historic Cap of Monomakh and the stunning Imperial Crown of Russia which often has a crowd of tourists around it, jostling to take a photo.

Once the royal armory, there are loads of fascinating objects on display. Perusing the many sabers, jewelry, armor and more is as interesting as it is educational and entertaining and the swords are so finely crafted that you’ll almost wish you could pick up one and wield if yourself.

Established in 1851, the museum is situated in the Moscow Kremlin.

14. GUM Department Store

Standing for ‘Main Universal Store’ in Russian, GUM is stunning. Its wonderful skylights and beautiful facades mean it doesn’t look out of place alongside its illustrious neighbors on Red Square.

With over 200 shops, boutiques and upmarket eateries inside, it is a shopaholic’s heaven and concerned partners will be glad to find more affordable options alongside luxury brands such as Dior and Prada.

The main department store in the city, GUM was opened in 1893. The stunning architecture makes it well worth a visit even if shopping isn’t your thing.

13. Moscow Metro

It’s not often that public transport looks like a work of art. So many stops on the Moscow Metro will astound visitors with their beauty and elegance.

Decked in marble and with frescoes covering the walls, the stations are amazing to gaze upon and are part of one of the longest metro systems in the world, with the first stations opened in 1935.

Using the metro is the quickest and easiest way to get around Moscow and braving the crowds of commuters is well worth it for the beauty all around you.

12. Arbat Street

An elegant yet lively street, Arbat is full of impressive architecture and was once a popular place to live for aristocrats, artists, and academics.

A historic place, it is down Arbat Street that Napoleon’s troops are said to have headed on their way to capture the Kremlin.

Nowadays, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as various monuments and statues to former residents such as Alexander Pushkin who was reputed to be a lover of the Russian Empress due to his massive influence in court.

11. Novodevichy Convent

Drenched in history, the Novodevichy Convent is located in a striking building that was once a fortress. This captivating place is well worth visiting when in Moscow.

Founded in 1524, the convent houses four cathedrals; Smolensk Cathedral is the undoubted highlight due to its delightful 16th-century frescoes.

Wandering around the grounds is like stepping back in time. The Novodevichy Cemetery is where many famous leaders of the Soviet Union are buried, such as Yeltsin and Khrushchev.

10. Pushkin Museum

Despite its name, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts actually has no connection at all to the famous poet other than that it was named in his honor after his death. A delight to visit, its extensive collection focuses on European art with masterpieces by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and van Gogh all featuring.

Sculptures, graphic art, paintings and more can be found in its beautiful galleries; various sections look at themes and epochs such as the Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and Byzantine art.

Among the many highlights are the clownish characters which can be found in Cezanne’s Fastnacht (Mardi Gras) and the twirling ballerinas who look so elegant in Degas’ Blue Dancers. Picasso’s Young acrobat on a Ball is also well worth checking out for its interesting use of shapes and colors.

9. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This gorgeous Russian Orthodox cathedral is located on the banks of the Moskva River, just a stone’s throw away from the Kremlin.

The church as it stands today was consecrated in 2000, as the original church that stood here was destroyed on the command of Josef Stalin in 1931 due to the anti-religious campaign.

With its delightful golden dome, spires and dazzling white facades, the Christ the Savior Cathedral is stunning. The interior is just as captivating to wander around, with its beautifully tiled floors and impressive altar.

8. Lenin Mausoleum

Opened to the public in 1924, Lenin’s Mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Moscow. The red granite structure is located at the heart of the city in Red Square.

Lenin’s embalmed body lies in a glass sarcophagus; it is a somewhat eerie experience walking past the former leader of the Soviet Union but is well worth doing as you understandably can’t do it anywhere else in the world.

After visiting the mausoleum, head to the Kremlin wall right next to it for more graves of important communist figures such as Stalin and Brezhnev.

7. Tretyakov Gallery

Home to the most extensive and impressive collection of Russian fine art in the world, the State Tretyakov Gallery is definitely worth visiting when in Moscow for the wealth of amazing art pieces that it has on display.

Having started out as the private art collection of the Tretyakov brothers, there are now over 130,000 exhibits. Highlights include the iconic Theotokos of Vladimir which you will almost certainly recognise despite probably not knowing the name and Rublev’s Trinity which is considered to be one of highest achievements in Russian art.

An absolute must for art lovers, the State Tretyakov Gallery will delight visitors with all that is has to offer.

6. Kolomenskoye

Once a royal estate, Kolomenskoye is now a museum-reserve and lies a few kilometers outside of the city center. A captivating place to visit, there is a plethora of history on show and the site overlooks the Moskva River.

Consisting of four historical sites, there are extensive gardens for visitors to explore, as well as loads of interesting old buildings, the former village of Kolomenskoye itself and the impressive Palace of the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich – once considered the Eighth Wonder of the World by contemporaries.

Among the many stunning sights, it is the brilliantly white Ascension Church that is the undoubted highlight – dating back to 1532.

5. Gorky Park

Lying alongside the Moskva River, the huge Gorky Park is a lovely place to visit. Its extensive gardens are home to numerous cultural institutions and visitors should definitely check out the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and while the eclectic exhibits may not always feature such incredible sights as a balloon-covered rider on a zebra; they certainly always succeed in pushing back the boundaries of art.

Pop-up exhibitions and festivals can be found from time to time in the park itself and there is an open-air theatre and numerous eateries alongside a plethora of leisure activities.

Whether it’s cycling, table tennis or yoga that you are after or beach volleyball and rowing, Gorky Park certainly has it. In winter, there is a huge ice rink for visitors to enjoy.

4. Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is the main theater in the country. The amazing opera and ballet performances it has put on over the centuries go a long way in explaining Russia’s rich history of performing arts.

While the Bolshoi Ballet Company was established in 1776, the theater itself was opened in 1825. The glittering, six-tier auditorium is lavishly and decadently decorated; it is a fitting setting for the world-class performances that take place on its stage.

Spending a night watching a performance of such classics as The Nutcracker or Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre is sure to be a memorable experience and the beauty all around you only adds to the sense of occasion.

3. Moscow Kremlin

This famously fortified complex is remarkably home to five palaces and four cathedrals and is the historic, political and spiritual center of the city. The Kremlin serves as the residence for the country’s president. It has been used as a fort, and this fact is made clear by its sheer size. The Kremlin’s outer walls were built in the late 1400s.

Under Ivan III, better known as Ivan the Great, the Kremlin became the center of a unified Russian state, and was extensively remodeled. Three of the Kremlin’s cathedrals date to his reign that lasted from 1462-1505. The Deposition Church and the Palace of Facets were also constructed during this time. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was built in 1508. It is the tallest tower at the Kremlin with a height of 266 feet (81 meters).

Joseph Stalin removed many of the relics from the tsarist regimes. However, the Tsar Bell, the world’s largest bell, and the Tsar Cannon, the largest bombard by caliber in the world, are among the remaining items from that era. The Kremlin Armory is one of Moscow’s oldest museums as it was established more than 200 years ago. Its diamond collection is impressive.

The Kremlin’s gardens – Taynitsky, Grand Kremlin Public and Alexander – are beautiful. The Kremlin has also served as the religious center of the country, and there is a tremendous number of preserved churches and cathedrals here. The collections contained within the museums include more than 60,000 historical, cultural and artistic monuments. Those who enjoy the performing arts will want to consider attending a ballet or concert at the State Kremlin Palace. Completed in 1961, it is the only modern building in the Kremlin.

2. Red Square

Lying at the heart of Moscow, Red Square is the most important and impressive square in the city. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to its wealth of historical sights and cultural landmarks.

Drenched in history, the huge square is home to incredible sights such as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum, among others. Consequently, it is not to be missed when in Moscow as it really is home to the city’s most stunning monuments.

It is here that many important moments in Russian history took place; the former marketplace has hosted everything from Tsar’s coronations and public ceremonies to rock concerts and Soviet military parades. Wandering around the massive square is a humbling experience and undoubtedly one of the highlights the city has to offer.

1. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Located in the impressive Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is gorgeous; its delightful spires appear as if out of a fairytale. The most recognizable building in the country, the cathedral is very much a symbol of Russia. No visit to Moscow is complete without having taken in its unique and distinctive features.

Ivan the Terrible ordered the cathedral’s construction in the mid-16th century, and legend holds that Ivan put out the architect’s eyes so that he would be unable to build another cathedral more glorious than St. Basil’s. Designed to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame, the architecture is not only unique to the period in which it was built but to any subsequent period. For various reasons, both Napoleon and Stalin wanted to destroy the cathedral but fortunately did not succeed.

Known for its various colors, shapes and geometric patterns, St. Basil’s Cathedral houses nine different chapels that are all connected by a winding labyrinth of corridors and stairways. On the lower floor, St. Basil’s Chapel contains a silver casket bearing the body of St. Basil the Blessed.

Throughout the cathedral are many beautiful murals, frescoes, wooden icons and other art works and artifacts. Outside the cathedral is a lovely garden with the bronze Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, who rallied an all-volunteer Russian army against Polish invaders during a period of the late 16th century known as the Times of Troubles.

Share this post:

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Russia

10 Best Places to Visit in Russia

15 Top Tourist Attractions in Saint Petersburg, Russia

15 Best Cities to Visit in Russia

14 Most Scenic Small Towns In Russia

9 Most Beautiful Regions in Russia

10 Most Amazing Destinations in Eastern Russia

24 Best Places to Visit in Africa

12 Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Madagascar

10 Most Beautiful National Parks in Uganda

• Share full article

Now One Fast Train From Tokyo: Culture, Crafts and Hot Springs

A new high-speed train stop unlocks Kaga, a destination for onsen, nourishing food and traditional crafts, as an easy-to-reach getaway from Japan’s capital.

A riverside cafe pops up from spring through fall on the Kakusenkei gorge in Yamanaka. Credit... Andrew Faulk for The New York Times

Supported by

By Hannah Kirshner

Hannah Kirshner lives in Yamanaka, Japan, and wrote a book about the people crafting and cultivating the town’s culture, including sake brewers, woodworkers and foragers.

• May 17, 2024

At the southwest corner of Ishikawa, a verdant prefecture hugging the Sea of Japan, traditional craftsmanship thrives alongside contemporary art and architecture in the small towns that make up Kaga City.

Three of these towns — Katayamazu Onsen, Yamashiro Onsen and Yamanaka Onsen — are famous for their onsen, or hot springs. In centuries past, monks and merchant seamen made pilgrimages to these restorative waters. The 17th-century haiku master Matsuo Basho even penned two poems during a visit.

Japanese tourists still flock to Kaga’s onsen towns every fall, when the leaves turn fiery and snow crab is in season. But few foreigners find their way here, in part because the journey from Tokyo has not been easy.

That changed in March. A new extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the high-speed train that rockets passengers from Tokyo to this region, now includes a stop at Kagaonsen station. The trip takes less than three hours on a single train.

When I first came to Kaga in 2015, the journey took two trains and nearly four hours from Tokyo. There was little English signage at the station and Google Maps didn’t yet list the (infrequent) local buses.

I had come to apprentice at a bar in Yamanaka, where I met people who craft wooden bowls, brew sake and make paper from mountain shrubs. Enchanted, I returned to write a book about how their work weaves into the vibrant local culture and community; by the time it was published, Yamanaka had become my home.

I set out earlier this year to be a tourist in my adopted home, looking for places that express the unique character of each of Kaga’s three onsen towns.

Katayamazu: Where retro meets modern

In Kaga, public bath houses (segregated by gender) are so ingrained in daily life that many homes were built without a shower or bath. I lived for a time in such an apartment, enjoying the daily ritual of showering among the softly echoing voices of neighbors and soaking in a communal pool of onsen water shrouded in steam.

Katayamazu , a fading red-light district, is the least traditional of Kaga’s onsen towns. Its public bathhouse, a glass and steel box, gleams along the edge of Shibayama Lagoon. The building was designed by Yoshio Taniguchi — the architect of New York’s Museum of Modern Art expansion — as part of a revitalization effort. It stands in contrast to Katayamazu’s dated hotels and shuttered shops, remnants of an exuberant domestic tourism boom from the ’60s through the ’80s, followed by decades of economic stagnation .

I frequent the bathhouse on odd-numbered days, when women get to bathe on the side overlooking the lagoon. In winter, it’s possible to spot migratory Mandarin ducks gliding across the reflection of snow-capped Mt. Haku, the tallest peak in Ishikawa. A cafe upstairs overlooks the same panorama, but I prefer the coffee across the street at Mie Coffee , served in local pottery. (Like many small businesses here, they take irregular holidays, so check their Instagram for hours.)

I stayed one night at Besso , a spare but cozy inn converted from a massage parlor, and walked along silent streets to a bar called Kikko , a 1970s time capsule with stained glass windows draped in red velvet, jazz and soul albums decorating the walls and a record player in the corner. The barman, 85-year-old Tokio Kameya, jokes that “even I am retro now.”

A group of amateur sumo wrestlers were wrapping up a karaoke party as I sat down. Kameya-san poured me a Japanese whiskey over perfectly clear ice and played a bossa nova record as he tidied up. He told me his bar caters to locals (it is cash only, no written menu, and no English spoken) and he doesn’t think Katayamazu has much to offer tourists. But to me the town’s charm is its anachronistic mix of modernity and kitsch.

Yamashiro: A meditation on art and fish

Onsen go hand in hand with ryokan, Japanese inns where guests luxuriate over elaborate seasonal meals and soak in mineral-rich baths. On my birthday in January, as snow blanketed Yamashiro, I checked into Beniya Mukayu , a 16-room ryokan tucked into the woods.

Guests who stay at least two nights can book experiences with artisans — making paper, shaping Japanese sweets or roasting tea — but I would happily spend days of quiet contemplation in the ryokan’s communal spaces. I hardly saw anyone as I soaked in a hinoki-wood onsen that frames a vignette of swaying bamboo, its rustling leaves harmonizing with the sound of running water.

On a map of the garden’s 13 varieties of moss, I recognized the spare typography of the designer and thinker Kenya Hara (best known as the art director of Muji, the Japanese retailer). Beniya Mukayu’s owners, Sachiko and Kazunari Nakamichi, share with Hara a decades-long friendship and exploration of minimalist Japanese aesthetics.

Later, while other guests trickled into the ryokan’s dining room for crab shabu shabu and duck hot pot, I stalled in the entryway, mesmerized by Hara’s kinetic sculpture on permanent display. Beads of water spun across a white lotus-like disc and disappeared into a small black hole described as a ho-sun, a Zen term referring to one’s mind.

In Yamashiro’s town center, I followed the trail of another artist, Kitaoji Rosanjin , a sought-after engraver and calligrapher who came to Yamashiro to study ceramics in 1915 (his pottery is now in collections around the world). I visited a cottage called Iroha Souan , where Rosanjin stayed and carved signboards for several nearby ryokan; guests of Araya Totoan can view his work, including a painting of a crow composed of loose brush strokes, in the ryokan’s lobby.

Next, I took a dip at Kosoyu , a bathhouse rebuilt to look as it did during Rosanjin’s time. Sunlight poured through stained glass onto Kutaniyaki tiles, Kaga’s style of brightly painted porcelain. (Kosoyu is for soaking only, so it’s best to arrive freshly bathed; there are showers at Yamashiro’s main public onsen across the street.)

Rosanjin was known as a gourmand as much as an artist — he became the creative force behind an exclusive restaurant , pairing ceramics and food — and he was said to have enjoyed the exceptional freshness and variety of ingredients in Kaga. These days, tourists and locals line up for unpretentious 2,000-yen lunch sets (they could easily cost five times as much in Tokyo) at Ippei Sushi . On a recent Friday, the chef, Yukio Nimaida, showed me three kinds of local prawns he’d sourced early that morning. The rice he uses, a bouncy sweet cultivar called Koshihikari, grows nearby in paddies fed by clean mountain water.

I asked Nimaida-san what he hopes visitors to Kaga will experience. “Hot springs and fish,” he said. “That’s all you need, isn’t it?”

Yamanaka: A pathway through woodlands and lacquerware

With Kiku no Yu public bathhouse at its heart, Yamanaka’s downtown stretches along one side of the Kakusenkei gorge. On the other side, a peaceful walking path meanders beside the icy aquamarine river; I walk there often, especially in spring, when wildflowers emerge from lush tufts of moss.

Yamanaka is also known for wooden tableware and teaware finished with lacquer made from the sap of urushi trees. The best of this lacquerware is not for sale in the souvenir shops along the main street but is on display in small museums and in service at tearooms, bars and ryokan.

One such place is Mugen-an , a house-turned-museum near the south end of the Kakusenkei walking path. Its shoin-style architecture — including paper doors decorated with gold and rare spalted persimmon-wood railings, naturally streaked with black — reflects the status of its original residents, a former high-ranking samurai family.

In early May, I brought friends from New York to Mugen-an to sip matcha — the same bright green as the new maple leaves outside — and admire displays of tea ceremony utensils decorated in maki-e, lacquer illustrations dusted with precious minerals.

A scenic hinoki-wood bridge, Korogi-bashi, leads back toward town. Up a steep stone-paved side street next to a shrine is Washu Bar Engawa (the bar I apprenticed at when I first came to Yamanaka), where sake and food are served in an exquisite collection of local lacquerware and antique pottery. Last time I stopped by, I drank from an elegant horse chestnut cup made by the craftsman Takehito Nakajima specifically to suit the local sake, Shishi no Sato . On any given night, there’s a good chance of running into a few craftsmen at the bar.

It’s not easy for tourists to access craftspeople’s studios, but at Urushi-za , a lacquerware showroom, visitors can make an appointment to tour the attached training institute — where students learn every step from forging their own tools to applying maki-e — and even try shaping a bowl by applying a sharp gouge to a fast-spinning piece of wood on Yamanaka’s unique style of lathe.

The most immersive experience of Yamanaka’s distinct culture is a stay at one of its high-end ryokan, like Kayotei , where the owner, Masanori Kamiguchi, has spent decades cultivating appreciation of local crafts and ecology among his guests. Across the street, the young proprietors of Hanamurasaki ryokan, Kohei and Manami Yamada, pursue a similar vision. And visitors don’t have to stay overnight to reserve afternoon tea in their sabo, a tearoom designed by the Tokyo-based restaurateur and designer Shinichiro Ogata to feature locally quarried stone and Japanese paper, along with teaware in shades of charcoal and porcelain.

“I believe that in order to pass down something traditional it has to fit into modern life,” Kohei-san told me. Manami-san added: “Ryokans have always been cultural salons.” This kind of hospitality encourages patronage of local crafts, and brings new people and ideas to small towns. Visitors who come on the extended Hokuriku Shinkansen can be part of that legacy, helping Yamanaka, Yamashiro and Katayamazu thrive.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Advertisement

• Communities
• Local Sports
• Sport Columns
• Letters to the Editor
• Engagements
• Births/Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Coronavirus
• Unsung Heroes
• Classifieds
• Garage Sales
• Statement of Values
• Terms of Service
• Submit News

• Today's Paper

EMS students know their city cares

Counselor Connie Townsend created a wonderful community experience for Elkins Middle School students Thursday, May 16. It was amazing to see so many City workers and City vehicles at Phil Gainer Center on that day.

Kids often go on fieldtrips to the fire departments, and a policemen may visit a classroom now and then, but Connie’s Career Day was the ultimate community experience.

She had not only the Fire and Police Departments, but she had people from our wonderful new Water Department that stands high on the hill east of town.

This supportive community activity was needed for these students because the schools have been cautious about field trips and inviting visitors during the pandemic. Teachers have been unable to plan for many of the learning opportunities kids need to experience with their peers.

This sort of event lets kids know that our town cares about them and their future. There in the Phil Gainer Center was a large room in the building right next to Elkins Middle School where the kids could talk with community leaders of many types.

I saw a bank president, a lawyer, an instructor from the Sewing Center, a representative of Pierpont Technology Center, and even an exhibitor from NASA.

If the students think about that day of career exploration, they will realize that they can make their best dreams come true by working within the school system here in Elkins.

When kids write about something, they have to think about it. Next year I would like to work with Elkins Middle School English teachers to plan a Kump Education Center Essay Contest for Career Day 2025.

All middle school students would write what they learned about their career opportunities in Elkins after they went to the event. Every student should be required to write something, and each English teacher would submit two entries to the Kump Education Center.  

We could have different topics for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, and the essays could be due one week after the EMS Career Day event. English teachers might assign these essays to all the students, and each teacher would select one or two good essays to send to the judges at Kump Center. Three different grade level prize winners would receive awards.

We have time to talk more about the writing contest, but Connie Townsend’s Career Day is an event that is undoubtedly worth writing about.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News

Counselor Connie Townsend created a wonderful community experience for Elkins Middle School students Thursday, May ...

Biden’s dilemma

When Sen. Bernie Sanders speculated that the Israeli-Hamas war represented President Joe Biden’s “Vietnam,” ...

DHS: Vital healthcare hub

Nestled in the heart of Randolph County lies a healthcare beacon that stands as an epitome of unwavering ...

Driving Miss Daisy

A role not talked about much is being the chauffeur for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. A loved one with ...

Graduation memories

The 115th annual Commencement festivities at Davis & Elkins College are now a pleasant memory. The class of ...

Banana republic?

It is a presidential election year and a leading candidate for president of the United States, who also happens to ...

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe today.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Vladimir Putin tours ‘Little Moscow’ as he trumpets deepening ties with China

Russian leader’s visit to northeastern harbin city with xi jinping is meant to symbolise growing strategic, economic and cultural ties, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails, thanks for signing up to the breaking news email.

Vladimir Putin kicked off his second day in China with a visit to Harbin city as the Russian president trumpets deeping economic and strategic ties between the two powerful neighbours.

Harbin in the northeastern Heilongjiang province, which borders Russia’s Far East , has deep social, economic and cultural ties with its neighbouring country. The city was once known as “Little Moscow ” for its substantial Russian population and cultural influence.

It remains a centre of Sino-Russian cooperation.

Mr Putin’s itinerary in Harbin includes attending the 8 th Russia-China Expo and the 4 th Russia-China Forum on Interregional Cooperation. He’s expected to be joined at these functions by his counterpart president Xi Jinping.

Mr Putin will also meet students and faculty at the Harbin Institute of Technology.

The Russian leader arrived in China for a state visit on Thursday. He met Mr Xi and signed a 7,000-word joint statement heralding a “new era” of partnership covering a range of political, economic and strategic interests.

The “no limits relationship”, as Moscow and Beijing have previously described it, is aimed at counterbalancing Western, especially American, influence in Asia and Europe.

The statement condemned the US and its allies for their “intimidation in the military sphere” against North Korea , which has strengthened its ties with Moscow in recent years and is accused of being a major supplier of weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine . Mr Putin hosted leader North Korea’s Kim Jong-un last year .

On Thursday Mr Putin and Mr Xi also attended a gala celebration marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between their countries and gave speeches at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

“I am very sorry for talking for so long, not allowing the translator to speak,” Mr Putin said at one point during his speech. “I’m just feeling so much at home and thought that everybody understands Russian here.”

Mr Xi and Mr Putin spent some leisure time at Zhongnanhai, a government complex in Beijing similar to the US White House.

They strolled and held "in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of common concern" over a cup of tea, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. The discussion included the Ukraine war.

Mr Xi bid Mr Putin goodbye with a hug as they concluded the first day of the Russian leader’s two-day visit.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

Suggested companies

Visit A City   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.4.

7,931 total

Most relevant

Great app! Very helpful in planning a trip. Also, thank to this app I managed to see a show that was otherwise sold out.

Date of experience : July 28, 2021

Very useful app to target key stand out…

Very useful app to target key stand out sites for someone with limited time.

Date of experience : October 14, 2021

Very useful

Very useful. You can program a tour adapting the time you have available.

Date of experience : July 06, 2021

This is a very helpful app

This is a very helpful app. I've tried many but this is the best for itineraries

Date of experience : October 25, 2021

I love Visit A City App so much!

I love Visit A City App, whenever I look for a city to travel, here is the first platform to check. Then I know how many days to book my trip. Thank you so much!

Date of experience : September 25, 2021

Great information

Great information, all the details make ease my time in Seattle.

Date of experience : August 25, 2021

Easy to navigate and I like the links…

Easy to navigate and I like the links with in the app to book excursions.

Date of experience : August 02, 2021

never followed through to deliver a pdf…

never followed through to deliver a pdf of the city guide

Date of experience : December 07, 2021

Reply from Visit A City

Hi, I looked through our logs and found that your Copenhagen 3 days packed itinerary was delivered to you on December 6th. If you cannot see it in your inbox, it might be in a SPAM or PROMOTIONS folder. Please contact [email protected] for further assistance. Happy Travels, Visit A City

Informative and very user friendly

Informative and very user friendly! Been using it for a few trips to Europe.

Date of experience : October 15, 2021

A great place to plan a city tour

A great place to plan a visit to a city, easy to use, covers all the highlights.

Date of experience : August 16, 2021

I could not add my Air Bnb Address to…

I could not add my Air Bnb Address to the itinerary.

Date of experience : November 12, 2021

Useless fo advanced travelers

Nor useful for DIY travelers and limited to big cities

Date of experience : September 05, 2021

A Visit with a on-line five stars guide

Helpful, user friendly and offering a wine range of tours

Date of experience : October 08, 2021

Wonderful way to plan a trip when you…

Wonderful way to plan a trip when you only have a few days to do everything.

Date of experience : July 21, 2021

Very user-friendly

Very user-friendly, helped me and gave me ideas and suggestions so many times. Thanks!

Date of experience : August 28, 2021

maps hard to print and cluttered…

maps hard to print and cluttered ..addresses of main sites should be on the list to print , hotels and mIn sites should be.on same map.

Date of experience : August 13, 2021

A very helpful site

A very helpful site. I recommend it for planning your trip. I use it all the time.

Date of experience : December 03, 2021

A must app to plan a DIY trip to any big city in the world

Really helpful to plan our visit to any big cities in the world. Love to use it.

Date of experience : October 19, 2021

Is very helpful in preparing the most…

Is very helpful in preparing the most efficient itinerary and to meet the preferences of the people.

Date of experience : July 27, 2021

Great app for city tourism

Great app, shows in a click the sites and suggested time to spend there.

Date of experience : August 23, 2021

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Putin and Xi further their embrace to defy U.S.-led pressure

Charles Maynes

John Ruwitch

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a bilateral meeting on Thursday in Beijing, China. Contributor/Getty Images hide caption

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a bilateral meeting on Thursday in Beijing, China.

MOSCOW and BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin doubled down on their alliance against the West this week — accusing the United States and its allies of trying to block their nations' rise during a two-day official visit to China by the Kremlin leader that ended Friday.

It was Putin's first trip abroad since beginning a fifth term in office following a pro-forma election in March.

While the visit was timed to honor the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union's recognition of the People's Republic of China and kickstart a year of Russian-Chinese cultural exchange, there was little question of the wider geopolitical drama at play.

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Beijing has repeatedly provided Moscow diplomatic cover from Western condemnation — and an economic lifeline from unprecedented Western sanctions.

In turn, China has rebuffed U.S.-led charges it is empowering the Russian war machine, while benefiting from steep discounts on Russian energy and expanding Chinese exports into Russia.

Underlying it all is a shared view, that appears to be growing stronger by the day, that robust China-Russia ties are essential to pushing back against Western countries perceived as increasingly hostile to both nations.

Putin was accompanied by a delegation that included nearly all his senior cabinet members, military officials, and Russian industry leaders in energy, space and agriculture.

China's Xi Jinping flexes his diplomatic muscle with a visit to Moscow

Xi — who chose Moscow for his first state visit following his own reelection last year — warmly greeted Putin at a lavish state visit-style welcoming ceremony outside Beijing's Great Hall of the People. As the two men strolled along a red carpet, the Russian leader was met by an honor guard, a 21-gun salute and a line of children jumping and cheering in choreographed unison.

A limitless partnership

By Putin's count, the two leaders have met face to face more than 40 times , signaling both men's longtime autocratic hold on power, and growing familiarity with one another. They now regularly share birthday gifts and openly refer to each other as "dear friend." This week they even hugged .

#Russia 's Vladimir #Putin & Chinese premier #XiJinping exchanged handshakes and a rare embrace in Beijing during the Russian President's state visit. #China rolled out the red carpet for Putin and his visit came after the #US hit China with fresh tariff hikes. pic.twitter.com/xwLN2MXIQQ — CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) May 17, 2024

They signed a " no limits " partnership when Putin visited Xi in Beijing in February 2022 — just days before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Whether Putin informed Xi of his decision or sought the Chinese leader's approval has never been clear.

Formally, China proclaims neutrality on what Xi calls "the Ukraine issue" and has sought to position itself as a mediator in the conflict.

Yet Beijing has also refused to criticize Moscow directly — instead endorsing the Kremlin's view that years of NATO expansion eastward provoked Russia's actions.

Instead, Beijing has long floated a 12-point peace plan — one that Western governments have criticized as overly vague but that Xi endorsed with Putin at his side on Thursday.

Ukraine invasion — explained

China calls for a cease-fire and peace talks between russia and ukraine.

"Both sides believe that a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis is the right direction," said Xi. "China's position on this question has always been clear and consistent."

Putin said he welcomed the Chinese diplomatic initiatives but would update the Chinese leader on the war — where Russian forces have been making recent gains on the battlefield in Ukraine's Kharkiv region.

Russian troops press toward Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv

Amid the pageantry and vague appeals for peace, analysts say Beijing signaled clearly that it was refusing to downgrade the relationship with Moscow despite enhanced Western pressure.

"I didn't see any indication that China is, you know, abandoning Russia and its kind of stealth support for the war effort," says Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and a leading China watcher.

If anything, Putin and Xi appeared to have reinforced their partnership, issuing a lengthy joint statement that labeled the U.S. a "direct threat" and accused Washington of trying to prevent Russia and China's rise.

Interview highlights

Blinken tells china it's in their interest to stop helping russia.

In comments before the cameras, Xi pledged it was China and Russia that would "uphold fairness and justice in the world."

In turn, Putin called Russian-Chinese cooperation "one of the main stabilizing factors on the international stage."

"This is all undergirded by a shared sense that the U.S. is the primary threat," says Samuel Charap, a Russia and Eurasia policy expert at the Rand Corp.

"This relationship will continue growing stronger and their mutual coordination to undermine U.S. and Western efforts globally will become more significant over time," Charap says.

The meeting came three weeks after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing, during which he told NPR he warned China against helping Russia.

Sanctions-proofing the economy

Beyond the geopolitical shadowboxing, trade was a key focus of the talks.

Putin, in particular, has looked to China as a buffer against Western sanctions levied over his actions in Ukraine.

Russia has redirected its oil and gas exports to China from a shrinking European market.

Chinese goods — most notably cars and consumer electronics — have flooded the Russian market as Western firms have packed up.

Blinken told NPR the Biden administration believes China has also become a top supplier of components Russia uses to rebuild its defense industrial base to fight Ukraine, including "machine tools, microelectronics, optics and other things that are going right into a massive production of munitions, of weaponry, of tanks, of armored vehicles."

Earlier this month, the U.S. hit a series of companies in China and Hong Kong with sanctions for providing critical components to Russia. And recent U.S. threats to issue so-called "secondary sanctions" against Chinese firms and banks seen as aiding Russia's war effort have put a further chill on business.

Putin highlighted cross-border commerce with a trip to the Chinese city of Harbin on Friday — a city with deep Russian roots going back to the 19th century and commonly known to the Chinese as "Little Moscow."

In meetings with local leaders, Putin insisted Russia was more than ready to expand cooperation in energy, agriculture, and other sectors. Whether deals had been reached remained unclear.

"As with a lot of things on the economic side of the Russia-China relationship, proclamations are one thing, and the practical realities can sometimes be another," says Rand's Charap.

Indeed, the talks brought no progress to Power of Siberia 2, a proposed new Russian gas pipeline to China that has repeatedly met resistance from Beijing.

Nor was it clear what role top Russian military officials played in the talks in Beijing as China, at least publicly, has ruled out providing weapons to Russia.

Carnegie's Gabuev likened the optics of the trip — what was visible to the outside world — to the tip of the iceberg.

"The underwater part of the iceberg, that's where the center of action is," he says. "And that's where both sides have reasons not to give us any visibility of what has been actually discussed."

Addressing students at a polytechnic university in Harbin on Friday, Putin offered his own metaphor for a Russian-Chinese alliance that has provided a degree of protection and calm amid two years of war.

"Just look how if you plant seeds in the right direction and treat them with care," Putin said, "they give a good harvest."

Charles Maynes reported from Moscow; John Ruwitch from Beijing.

• President Vladimir Putin
• chinese president xi jinping
• China diplomacy
• Russia diplomacy
• Russia-China

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

China and Russia reaffirm their close ties as Moscow presses its offensive in Ukraine

China’s leader Xi Jinping has welcomed Russia’s President Vladimir Putin at an official ceremony Thursday on his state visit to China. Putin’s visit comes as Russia has become more economically dependent on China following Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine more than two years ago.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Xi Jinping for China’s initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict at their Beijing summit Thursday where the Chinese leader said China hopes Europe will return to peace and stability soon and that China will play a constructive role.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in Beijing as part of a two-day state visit to China. Putin’s visit comes as Russia has become more economically dependent on China following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. (AP Production Tracy Brown)

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, in which he stressed the two countries’ strong relations.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin landed on Thursday in Beijing for a two-day state visit to China. The Kremlin said this will be Putin’s first foreign trip since he was sworn in as president and began his fifth term in office.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin look toward each other as they shake hands prior to their talks in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

• Copy Link copied

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin review the honor guard during an official welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a concert marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China and opening of China-Russia Years of Culture at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk during an official welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk during an official welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo prior to their talks in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend an official welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, walk during an official welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, foreground right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground left, walk past members of Russian cabinet during an official welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin review the honor guard during an official welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

BEIJING (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday reaffirmed their “no-limits” partnership that has deepened as both countries face rising tensions with the West, and they criticized U.S. military alliances in Asia and the Pacific region.

At their summit in Beijing, Putin thanked Xi for China’s proposals for ending the war in Ukraine , which have been rejected by Ukraine and its Western supporters as largely following the Kremlin’s line.

Putin’s two-day state visit to one of his strongest allies and trading partners comes as Russian forces are pressing an offensive in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region in the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, 2022.

China claims to take a neutral position in the conflict, but it has backed the Kremlin’s contentions that Russia was provoked into attacking Ukraine by the West, and it continues to supply key components needed by Moscow for weapons production.

China, which hasn’t criticized the invasion, proposed a broadly worded peace plan in 2023, calling for a cease-fire and for direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv. The plan was rejected by both Ukraine and the West for failing to call for Russia to leave occupied parts of Ukraine.

AP AUDIO: China and Russia reaffirm their close ties as Moscow presses its offensive in Ukraine

AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports on a summit between the leaders of China and Russia.

China also gave a rhetorical nod to Russia’s narrative about Nazism in Ukraine, with a joint statement Thursday that said Moscow and Beijing should defend the post-World War II order and “severely condemn the glorification of or even attempts to revive Nazism and militarism.”

Putin has cited the “denazification” of Ukraine as a main goal of the military action, falsely describing the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish and lost relatives in the Holocaust, as neo-Nazis.

The largely symbolic and ceremonial visit stressed partnership between two countries who both face challenges in their relationship with the U.S. and Europe.

“Both sides want to show that despite what is happening globally, despite the pressure that both sides are facing from the U.S., both sides are not about to turn their backs on each other anytime soon,” said Hoo Tiang Boon, who researches Chinese foreign policy at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

While Putin and Xi said they were seeking an end to the war, they offered no new proposals in their public remarks.

“China hopes for the early return of Europe to peace and stability and will continue to play a constructive role toward this,” Xi said in prepared remarks to media in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. His words echoed what China said when it offered a broad plan for peace .

Earlier, Putin was welcomed in Tiananmen Square with military pomp. After a day in Beijing, the Russian leader arrived in Harbin, where he was expected to attend a number of events on Friday.

On the eve of his visit, Putin said China’s proposal could “lay the groundwork for a political and diplomatic process that would take into account Russia’s security concerns and contribute to achieving a long-term and sustainable peace.”

Zelenskyy has said any negotiations must include a restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of all prisoners, a tribunal for those responsible for the aggression and security guarantees for Ukraine.

After Russia’s latest offensive in Ukraine last week, the war is in a critical stage as Ukraine’s depleted military waits for new supplies of anti-aircraft missiles and artillery shells from the United States after months of delay.

The joint statement from China and Russia also criticized U.S. foreign policy at length, hitting out at U.S.-formed alliances, which the statement called having a “Cold War mentality.”

China and Russia also accused the U.S. of deploying land-based intermediate range missile systems in the Asia-Pacific under the pretext of joint exercises with allies. They said that the U.S. actions in Asia were “changing the balance of power” and “endangering the security of all countries in the region.”

The joint statement demonstrated China’s support to Russia.

China is “falling over themselves to give Russia face and respect without saying anything specific, and without committing themselves to anything,” said Susan Thornton, a former diplomat and a senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School.

The meeting was yet another affirmation of the friendly “no-limits” relationship China and Russia signed in 2022, just before Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Since then, Russia has become increasingly dependent economically on China as Western sanctions cut its access to much of the international trading system. China’s increased trade with Russia, totaling $240 billion last year, has helped the country mitigate some of the worst blowback from sanctions.

Moscow has diverted the bulk of its energy exports to China and relied on Chinese companies for importing high-tech components for Russian military industries to circumvent Western sanctions.

“I and President Putin agree we should actively look for convergence points of the interests of both countries, to develop each’s advantages, and deepen integration of interests, realizing each others’ achievements,” Xi said.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said that China can’t “have its cake and eat it too.

“You cannot want to have deepened relations with Europe … while simultaneously continuing to fuel the biggest threat to European security in a long time,” Patel said.

Xi congratulated Putin on starting his fifth term in office and celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the former Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China, which was established following a civil war in 1949. Putin has eliminated all major political opponents and faced no real challenge in the March election.

“In a famous song of that time, 75 years ago — it is still performed today — there is a phrase that has become a catchphrase: ‘Russians and Chinese are brothers forever,’” Putin said.

Russia-China military ties have strengthened during the war. They have held a series of joint war games in recent years.

China remains a major market for Russian military, while also massively expanding its domestic defensive industries, including building aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.

Putin has previously said that Russia has been sharing highly sensitive military technologies with China that helped significantly bolster its defense capability.

Huizhong Wu reported from Bangkok. Yu Bing and Wanqing Chen in Beijing, Christopher Bodeen in Taipei, Jim Heintz and Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.

Ukraine war latest: Russian forces take control of village in Kharkiv region - defence ministry

Russian troops are continuing to advance in the Kharkiv region - with the defence ministry claiming it had taken control of 12 settlements in a week.

Saturday 18 May 2024 19:15, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Russia takes control of village in Kharkiv - defence ministry
• Ukraine's divisive draft law comes into force | At least 30 Ukrainians have died crossing river to avoid
• Putin concludes trip to China with veiled reference to West
• Two civilians killed while evacuating city
• Analysis: Great power politics on display in China visit
• Live reporting by  Jess Sharp  and (earlier)  Josephine Franks

Russia has claimed to have captured a "very valuable" British-made vehicle from the battlefield. 

In a post on Telegram, the defence ministry said the FV104 Samaritan evacuation vehicle has been taken but needs to be repaired. 

It claimed it was big enough to evacuate four people and carry a crew of two. 

It said it was "very valuable" and could be used as a "rare collection exhibit". 

It shared a video of the vehicle but Sky News has not been able to verify if it is a FV104 Samaritan. 

Five people have been injured in a Russian shelling attack in Kharkiv, the Ukrainian national police has said. 

A 13-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy are among those hurt, it said. 

The Russian military attacked the city at around 30pm, it added, with several hits recorded on residential buildings. 

"As a result of shelling, five civilians were injured, and civilian infrastructure was also damaged," police official Oleksandr Kobylev said. 

"Currently, two minor children are known to have suffered minor injuries. Necessary medical assistance is provided to all victims." 

A Russian attack plane has been shot down, a Ukrainian army brigade has reported. 

The 110th separate brigade said the Su-25 had been destroyed in Donetsk. 

It said it was the fourth Su-25 to have been shot down, adding it will keep issuing "flaming fines" to Russia for crossing into Ukraine. 

"Our sky will become hell for the occupant pilots. Our squad number will be a nightmare for them," it added. 

A Ukrainian sergeant has been stabbed in the hand by a civilian, the country's ground forces has said. 

In a statement posted on Facebook, the army said the attacker was detained and has been charged with attempted murder and obstructing the armed forces. 

The attack took place in the city of Sinelnikove, in the central Dnipro region, earlier today.

"A civilian committed an armed assault with cold weapons (knife) on the sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the statement said. 

The sergeant, who worked for the territorial recruitment and social support centre, has been provided with "all the necessary medical care", it added. 

In Ukraine's second largest city, airstrikes have become a daily occurrence as intense battles continue. 

Russian troops have been pushing ahead with a ground offensive that opened a new front in northeastern Kharkiv region in recent days, putting further pressure on Kyiv's overstretched military. 

After weeks of probing, Moscow launched the new push knowing that Ukraine suffered personnel shortages, and that its forces have been spread thin in the northeast.

Two people were killed after Russian airstrikes hit Kharkiv on Friday as Ukrainian troops fought to halt Russian advances in the region.

The airstrikes targeted Ukraine's second-largest city during the daytime, injuring 25 people and killing two, according to Kharkiv's mayor Ihor Terkhov.

On Thursday, the air alarm sounded for more than 16 hours, a record since the beginning of the military campaign by Russia.

Here are some of the latest pictures from the city: 

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian power facilities in early 2024 disrupted 14% of Russia's oil refining capacity, according to the US Department of Defence.

The strikes pushed up domestic oil prices by 20-30% and forced Russia to halt exports to focus on meeting domestic demand, a report from the Pentagon’s intelligence agency said.

But it caused only a "negligible disruption" to the electricity supply for Russian civilians and the military, because of Russia's "robust generation capacity" and the level of power in the grid. 

The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces have published their daily operational update... 

Speaking about the frontline, it says the situation "remains tense" and Russia is using its advantage in the number of personnel to launch attacks on Ukrainian positions. 

In the last 24 hours, 66 "combat clashes" have taken place, it adds. 

Russian troops have been pushing ahead with a ground offensive in recent days that opened a new front in northeastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region and put further pressure on Kyiv's overstretched military. 

The update says Russian forces have attacked in the areas of Lyptsi in Kharkiv today, and fighting is continuing in the town of Vovchansk. 

"Currently, the number of combat encounters in this direction has reached 10, while the Russian occupiers tried to improve the tactical position eight times, our units in turn - twice," it says. 

Earlier today, Russia's defence ministry claimed its forces had captured the village of Starytsia in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. 

Russian troops are continuing to advance in the area, it added. 

Ukraine did not mention the village in its operational update. 

Two people were killed when their car was hit by Russian forces as they evacuated Vovchansk, according to Ukrainian officials. 

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said an investigation has been launched into what it called the "war crime".

It said the car carrying civilians came under enemy fire while driving through the border town on Thursday. 

The 70-year-old driver and an 83-year-old female passenger died at the scene, while two other passengers were injured, officials said. 

Ukrainian authorities have evacuated around 8,000 civilians from Vovchansk, three miles from the Russian border.

Russian forces have captured 40 civilians from a town in Kharkiv, a Ukrainian official has said. 

Speaking to Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne, the head of the investigative department of the Kharkiv regional police Serhii Bolvinov said they were taken while trying to escape a Russian shelling attack. 

"People are kept in basements, interrogated, and those conducting the interrogations call themselves FSB employees," he said.

It comes after Ukraine's interior minister Ihor Klymenko said Russian forces were taking civilians captive on Thursday. 

He also claimed the Russian military had carried out executions. 

"In the northern part of Vovchansk, where active hostilities are taking place, the Russian military is taking civilians captive," he said on Telegram. 

"It is known about the first executions of civilians by the Russian military. In particular, one of the inhabitants of Vovchansk tried to escape on foot, refused to obey the commands of the invaders - the Russians killed him." 

Vovchansk, in the northern Kharkiv region, has come under several attacks in recent weeks, with Russian forces claiming to control surrounding villages and forcing civilians to evacuate. 

Ukrainian forces on the frontline say the war is entering a critical phase - and they are desperate for more ammunition as they struggle to hold off relentless Russian attacks. 

Colonel Pavlo Palisa, whose 93rd Mechanised Brigade is fighting near the key strategic city of Chasiv Yar, said he believed Russia was preparing a major push to break Ukrainian lines in the east.

"Without a doubt, this will be a difficult period for the armed forces," he said. 

"I would say that it is unlikely that time is on our side, since a long war requires more resources," he said, adding that it would be critical to impose as heavy a cost on Russia as quickly as possible.

"The enemy's resources, whether in terms of manpower or the material, cannot be compared with ours. It's extraordinarily large." 

Ukrainian gun commander Oleksandr Kozachenko said his unit's US-supplied M777 howitzer, which once hurled 100 shells a day at the enemy, is now often reduced to fewer than 10. 

"It's a luxury if we can fire 30 shells." 

Gunners with his brigade in the Donetsk region said they were desperate for more 155mm rounds for their Western cannons, which had given them an edge over Russia earlier in the war.

The United States says it's rushing ammunition and weapons to Ukraine following the delayed approval of a $61bn aid package by Congress last month. 

For the soldiers facing down an encroaching enemy, the deliveries can't come soon enough. 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free