old bailey insight tours

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The Old Bailey – Guided Tour

• Attractions

www.cityoflondonguides.com

Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, London EC4M 7EH

Known as the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, is one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court. Built on the site of the old Newgate prison, the current building was opened in 1907 by Edward VII and it’s still a working court today. The neo-Baroque building with elaborately carved decorations, is topped by a 12ft gold leaf statue of a ‘lady of justice’ holding a sword in one hand and the scales of justice in the other. It's a stunning building to look at from the outside. To go inside, you'll need to book a place on a public guided tour.

Public Tours

Join City of London Guides to discover history, famous trials, and unexpected artworks of the most famous court house in the world.

Public guided tours take place on Saturdays - advance booking required.

Listing location

Petticoat lane, london symphony orchestra, the lookout, new street square, carter lane gardens, st botolph-without-bishopsgate, leadenhall building (the cheesegrater), smithfield market, lloyd’s of london, street food market at the leadenhall building, paternoster square, st lawrence jewry, city of london distillery, dabbers social bingo – city, bishopsgate institute, city bouldering, the london centre, dutch church, inner temple, gresham college, holy sepulchre, the national musicians church, barbican centre, barbican cinemas, swingers city, the garden at 120, la scuola cooking school at eataly, st bartholomew’s hospital museum, beers london, barry’s, the spa at four seasons london at ten trinity square, st dunstan in the east church garden, jeff wayne’s the war of the worlds: the immersive experience, barbican architecture tours, city of london information centre, axeperience, sculpture in the city, puttshack bank, city of london guides – private tours, the gunpowder plot, st bartholomew the great church, tower of london, bridewell theatre, guildhall school of music & drama, barbican art gallery & the curve, bloomberg arcade, eastcheap records, barbican theatre, concerts at the barbican, london stone, mansion house, guildhall great hall, guildhall yard, city of london heritage gallery, london’s roman amphitheatre, guildhall art gallery, billingsgate roman house and baths, barbican conservatory, heavenly spa by westin, st mary-le-bow, st. stephen walbrook, the charterhouse, city of london guides – daily guided walks, the monument, st paul’s cathedral, red eight gallery, dr johnson’s house, st bride foundation, the guild church of st dunstan-in-the-west, all hallows by the tower, bank of england museum, tower bridge, london mithraeum bloomberg space, leadenhall market, one new change.

Louise Kulbicki BLOG , Legal sightseeing , Things to do Legal sightseeing , Tour

Tour of London Courts, Old Bailey Insight & Legal London Tours

The Royal Courts of Justice, London

Recently, I went on a court tour with Old Bailey Insight & Legal London Tours  led by founder Tim Wood who worked as a crime reporter for over thirty years.  You can listen to an interview with Tim here . 

The tour (as of 01/2018) costs £8 per person and Podcast Pro Members get 10% discount. If you are a Podcast Pro Member just go to your dashboard to find further details.  If you go on the tour you can also download this PDF  Court Tour Information For Lawyers with some further legal information about the courts in the U.K.

Read on to find out about my tour experience!

The Royal Courts of Justice

We started the tour outside the Royal Courts of Justice (R.C.J.) on Fleet Street. This is an impressive Victorian Gothic-style building which is even better inside, if you can spare an hour or two to venture in.  Outside the R.C.J. you often find protesters, on this day people were protesting about Lauri Love, because the High Court was that week hearing an appeal against his extradition to the U.S.A. 

We headed straight inside and went through the airport-style security checks.  Once inside, photography of any kind is prohibited, so avoid having cameras and of course any dangerous objects.

Protesters outside Royal Courts of Justice

Airport style security checks

We looked around the great hall, then up to the gallery and exhibition of court costumes.  Tim explained the history of the building as well as some explanations of the court dress.

We then proceeded to the ‘Bear Room’ where we found out the reason for the name and why we should rub a pineapple!  Next, we went into a court room and sat in the public gallery, watching a civil court case for approximately thirty minutes. Here we saw English legal justice working in practice. 

List of Court Cases

Legal Costume Exhibition

Inns of court.

We then headed out from the R.C.J. walking a short distance to the Inns of court. On our way we passed by ‘Wildy & Sons’ a popular bookshop amongst lawyers and also found out about the phrase ‘to take a walk down Carey Street’.  We continued on specifically visiting Lincoln’s Inn, where barristers’ chambers are. We were shown the supposedly smallest protected building in London ‘Olster’s Hut’. 

Walking to the Inns of Court

Can you spot Olster's Hut? London's smallest protected building

The old bailey.

We continued on to the Old Bailey. Here Tim gave some information about the history, including some gory tales involving a cook who was boiled alive.  At the end of the tour Tim gave us a list of criminal court cases to see that day and also suggested we visit the Viaduct Tavern where there are some original prison cells downstairs in their cellar.

Overall a great tour and a great day out. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the English Legal System and the Courts.

The Old Bailey, Central Criminal Court, London

Tim Wood, finishing the tour

Louise Kulbicki

Hi Louise: are you running any of these tours this week? Please let me know which days and at what times. Thanks.

I don’t run these tours, it is another organisation ‘Old Bailey Insight & Legal London Tours’. You can find out more on their website: https://old-bailey.com/

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Quebec City: Historic District Walking Tour (3h)

Quebec City’s Historic District Walking Tour offers a captivating 3-hour journey through the city’s rich heritage. Led by a professional writer and historian, this tour immerses visitors in the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘s iconic landmarks and exclusive historical sites. Explore the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral , the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, and uncover the city’s nearly 500-year transformation. With personalized dining recommendations and insightful commentary, this tour provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience the essence of Quebec City’s cultural tapestry. Where will this exploration take you?

• A 3-hour immersive walking tour of Quebec City’s historic district, highlighting UNESCO World Heritage sites and cultural landmarks.
• Led by a professional writer and historian, providing exclusive access and in-depth historical context.
• Covers popular attractions like Parc des Gouverneurs, Ursulines Chapel, Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, and Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral.
• Wheelchair accessible with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, allowing flexibility.
• Offers personalized recommendations for dining and avoiding tourist traps, enhancing the overall experience.

More tours and experiences nearby.

• Private Guided Quebec City Walking Tour With Funicular Included
• Guided Hike in Jacques-Cartier National Park
• HIstorical Lower Town & Neighborhoods Private Bike Tour
• Quebec City Shore Excursion: Grand Walking Tour of Quebec City

Tour Overview

This Quebec City Historic District Walking Tour offers an immersive 3-hour experience , priced at €228.94 per group of up to 12 participants.

It’s available in English, French, and Spanish, and is wheelchair accessible with a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance.

Guests can reserve now and pay later, ensuring a hassle-free booking process.

Led by a professional writer and historian , the tour provides exclusive access to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and personalized recommendations on avoiding tourist traps and discovering local dining gems.

The itinerary can be customized based on client preferences, making it a tailored and engaging exploration of Quebec City’s rich history.

Itinerary Highlights

The tour starts at 12 Rue Sainte-Anne in Old Quebec, where guests will explore Parc des Gouverneurs for about 20 minutes.

Next, they’ll visit the Ursulines Chapel for another 20 minutes.

After that, the group will spend 10 minutes at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral before heading to the iconic Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral for a 20-minute stop.

The tour then moves on to Le Monastère des Augustines for 10 minutes.

In the final leg, guests will discover the Old Port, Place Royale, and the charming Quartier Petit Champlain , each for around 15 minutes, before concluding the tour at the Theatre Petit Champlain.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Old Quebec has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, recognizing its exceptional historical significance. This prestigious status reflects the city’s outstanding universal value as a remarkable example of a fortified colonial city.

This designation underscores Old Quebec’s significance as a living testament to the European presence in North America, showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage and architectural treasures.

Historical Context

Its history spans nearly 500 years, ranging from the arrival of French settlers to the formation of the Dominion of Canada, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into the city’s transformation over time.

Quebec City has witnessed the hotel of New France, its role as the capital of British North America, and the eventual birth of the Dominion of Canada.

The walking tour allows participants to:

Discover the city’s French colonial heritage and the impact of early European influence.

Understand the shifting political landscape as the region transitioned from French to British rule.

Explore how Quebec City’s historical significance shaped the development of modern-day Canada.

Tour Features

A professional writer and historian leads the guided Quebec City Historic District Walking Tour, providing exclusive access to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity .

Tour participants also receive personalized recommendations for avoiding tourist traps and local dining suggestions, with the flexibility to customize the itinerary based on their preferences.

The tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the historic district, showcasing the city’s rich heritage and cultural landmarks .

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this guided walk promises an immersive and informative experience that brings the vibrant history of Quebec City to life.

Customer Feedback

Travelers consistently rate the Quebec City Historic District Walking Tour highly, with an overall 5/5 score based on numerous reviews. One notable comment praises the tour guide, Tommy, as a ‘superb historian, who brought depth to the history and discussion around Quebec and the area.’

Customers highlight several key features that contribute to the tour’s popularity:

Engaging, knowledgeable guide who provides insightful historical context

Exclusive access to renowned landmarks like the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

Personalized recommendations for avoiding tourist traps and discovering local dining gems

The overwhelmingly positive feedback underscores the tour’s ability to deliver a comprehensive and enriching exploration of Quebec City’s storied past, leaving visitors with a deeper appreciation for the region’s rich heritage.

Accessibility and Booking

The Quebec City Historic District Walking Tour is wheelchair accessible , allowing visitors of all mobility levels to participate in the immersive exploration of the city’s rich history.

Booking the tour is straightforward, with a ‘ reserve now & pay later ‘ option available, and the tour operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund .

This flexibility ensures that travelers can plan their visit with confidence, knowing that they can easily adjust their plans if necessary.

Whether you’re exploring the city’s architectural wonders or delving into its fascinating past, the Quebec City Historic District Walking Tour caters to the needs of all visitors, making it an accessible and convenient way to experience the UNESCO-recognized Old Quebec .

Cancellation Policy

The tour operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing flexibility for travelers to adjust their plans as needed. This policy allows guests to book with confidence, knowing they can receive a full refund if their plans change unexpectedly.

Some key benefits of the cancellation policy include:

Peace of mind in case of last-minute schedule changes or emergencies

Ability to rebook the tour for a more convenient date if needed

No financial penalties for cancelling within the 24-hour window

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.

• Quebec City Guided Sightseeing Cruise
• 4 Hour Electric Bike Rental in Quebec City
• 2 Day Hop on Hop off Tour and Cruise in Quebec City
• Private Arrival Transfer From Quebec Airport YQB
• Old Québec & French Canada Private History Walking Tour
• Old Quebec City Food & Drink Tour / Walking Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the health and safety protocols for the tour.

The tour operator follows all relevant health and safety guidelines, including social distancing measures and the use of face coverings when required. Hand sanitizer is provided, and the group size is limited to ensure a safe experience.

How Do I Get to the Starting Point of the Tour?

The tour’s starting point is 12 Rue Sainte-Anne in Old Quebec. Participants can reach the location via public transportation, taxi, or on foot. The tour operator provides clear directions to the meeting point prior to the start of the tour.

Can I Bring Food or Drinks on the Tour?

Participants are generally permitted to bring small snacks and water bottles on the tour. However, it’s recommended to avoid consuming large meals or noisy foods that could distract from the guide’s commentary. Check with the tour operator for any specific guidelines.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Yes, most tour providers offer the option to extend the duration of a tour. This allows customers to explore the area in more depth or focus on specific interests. Flexibility in tour length is common to accommodate individual needs.

Can the Group Size Be Increased Beyond 12 Participants?

The group size can be increased, but it is limited to a maximum of 12 participants. This ensures a more personalized and interactive experience for the tour group. Larger group sizes may be accommodated upon special request, subject to availability.

Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

• Quebec: The Citadel of Quebec Ticket and Guided Tour
• Quebec City: Highlights App Guided Tour With Puzzles
• Quebec City: Montmorency Falls With Cable Car Ride
• Fatbike Tour of Quebec City in the Winter
• Quebec Interactive Street Theatre: Crimes in New France
• 2-Hour Christmas Magic Tour in Old Quebec
• Quebec Airport (Yqb) to Downtown Private Transfer
• Quebec City Guided Tour 4H With Driver/Guide
• Quebec City – Scooter Guided Tour on Île D’Orléans
• Quebec City: Religious Heritage Walking Tour (3h)
• From Montreal: Full-Day Tour of Quebec City With Cruise
• Quebec City: Gourmet 3-Course Brunch Cruise
• Quebec City: Artillery Park Tour
• Quebec: Bike Tour to Montmorency Falls
• Québec City: Night Cruise With Live DJ and Dance Floor

The Historic District Walking Tour in Quebec City provides an immersive experience that explores the city’s rich heritage.

Visitors can discover iconic landmarks, learn about the city’s transformation over 500 years, and enjoy personalized recommendations from a professional writer and historian.

With tours offered in multiple languages, this UNESCO World Heritage site tour is an accessible way to explore Quebec City’s captivating history .

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Sakhalin: Your Essential Guide to Russia’s Enigmatic Eastern Island

• January 14, 2024

A Journey Through Giant Burdocks, Wild Bears, and the Echoes of Ancient Japanese Temples

From the most dreaded place of exile in the Russian Empire to a Japanese industrial base and one of the most attractive and inaccessible places for domestic tourism in Russia.

Table of Contents

An island that was Russian, then Japanese, and then Russian again

From the 17th to the mid-19th century, it was believed that Sakhalin was a peninsula. This misconception firmly established itself on the maps of the time, as navigators failed to circumnavigate the island. The proximity of Sakhalin’s southern tip to the mainland created a false impression of being impassable for ships. An additional complexity arose from the fact that the route taken by ships from the Russian Empire involved passing through a narrow strait, which Nevelskoy managed to navigate only in 1849.

For a long time, people did not believe Nevelskoy, but he insisted that he had discovered a route through the strait, for which he became something of a hero in Primorye. Monuments and plaques dedicated to him can be found in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Vladivostok, and Khabarovsk. The H4H creative association created a graphic novel based on this story, which won a cultural initiatives contest and became part of the interior of the Khabarovsk Airport. By the way, the Sakhalin region is the only Russian entity entirely located on islands.

The remote and isolated location of the island during the Russian Empire was used as a natural barrier, and it became the site of penal colonies for hard labor prisoners. Its geographical position led to Sakhalin’s hard labor being regarded as particularly cruel.

During the period of the island’s development, Russian ships followed the Amur River and reached the island from the north, where the oldest port, Alexandrovsk, was founded. The Japanese attempted to develop the island from the south, entering through the Kuril Islands (part of the Sakhalin region) and Aniva Bay. For a long time, the Kurils were inhabited by the Ainu, representatives of a small indigenous people. The very word “Kurils” comes from the Ainu: “kuru” means “man.”

In the 17th century, Japan conducted its first expeditions towards the islands and began their development. Russia reached them later. The first mentions of the islands in Russian language date back to the late 17th century. For a long time, Russian, Dutch, Japanese, and Anglo-French navigators studied the islands, landed on them, and disputed their territorial ownership. However, only Russia and Japan managed to establish a foothold. To end the territorial disputes, the governments of the two countries signed an agreement under which the Kuril Islands went to Japan, and Sakhalin to Russia, which continued to develop the island mainly from the north. After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, which ended in Russia’s defeat, the southern part of Sakhalin became part of Japan as the Karafuto Prefecture.

Until the second half of the 20th century, the island was owned by Japan and was quite successful in developing its resources. A huge number of mines were opened, several cities and lighthouses were built. In particular, the current regional center, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, was the former Japanese city of Toyohara. The famous Aniva lighthouse, now considered a symbol of Sakhalin, was built by Japanese engineers. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the island passed to the Soviet Union. Contrary to history, the main life of the island moved from the north to the south. Alexandrovsk, which was convenient to reach by water, lost to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with its infrastructure built by the Japanese, connections to neighboring cities, and airport. Interestingly, before leaving, the Japanese buried and hid the mining sites, and locals say that not all the old mines have been found yet, and they are sometimes stumbled upon during walks.

Because the island belonged to three different countries in just over a hundred years, it did not have time to develop any significant urban infrastructure. The cities lack outstanding architectural monuments and unique museums. However, some unusual Japanese architecture has remained. Meanwhile, Sakhalin compactly houses incredible natural attractions. Here, one can climb through forests and bamboo thickets to breathtakingly beautiful mountains as if outlined in graphite, and through a mountain pass reach the sea, into which clear mountain rivers flow with fish splashing in them.

The Ainu and Nivkh: Inhabitants of Sakhalin

For a long time, the island was mainly inhabited by the Ainu and Nivkh peoples. These ethnic groups are very different, making their coexistence as unusual as the neighboring of birch and bamboo on the slopes of Sakhalin’s mountains. Both are isolate peoples . However, the Ainu belong to the Australoid race, while the Nivkh are Mongoloids (the main population of Asian territories). It’s fascinating how representatives of different races have coexisted for ages on a small piece of land at the edge of the world.

There is no single version regarding the origin of the Ainu, leading to a multitude of theories — both scientific and conspiratorial. One theory suggests that the Ainu are the ancestors of the indigenous population of Australia, remaining in the north after continental migration. Some researchers write that the Ainu are the forebears of the Japanese. This theory is supported by the fact that before Japanese expansion, the Ainu mainly inhabited the Japanese island of Hokkaido. However, the Ainu suffered greatly from Japanese imperialism, and their culture and language were almost completely destroyed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, there are just over two thousand Ainu living on Sakhalin.

The Nivkh are among the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the north. They suffered less from Japanese rule. However, during the Soviet era, they experienced a difficult phase of literacy development, destruction of tribal communities, and relocation to cities. About 2,200 Nivkh live in the Sakhalin region and another approximately two thousand in Khabarovsk.

During the Karafuto period, Japan brought captured Koreans to Sakhalin for hard labor. By the mid-20th century, the Korean population of the island was about 45,000 people. For comparison, the current population of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is 180,000. This large number of people, deprived of their homeland, was forced to adapt to life first under Japanese and then Soviet rule. In the USSR, Koreans were issued passports, and there were national kindergartens and schools. However, Sakhalin Koreans did not feel part of the larger community of Soviet Koreans (Koryo-saram) and struggled to integrate. Moreover, they were considered members of an ‘unreliable nation’ because they had lived in the Japanese Empire.

In the late 1990s, three countries – Russia, South Korea, and Japan – began a repatriation campaign for the first generation of Sakhalin Koreans (born before August 15, 1945) to their historical homeland. Now, about 3,500 repatriates from Russia live in South Korea. Under the program, the Korean government provides medical insurance and a monthly allowance to the repatriates. The Japanese government, in turn, buys housing (apartments up to 40 m²) and covers transportation costs. Additionally, every two years, Sakhalin Koreans who have moved to their homeland have the right to visit Sakhalin for free, funded by the Japanese government. Most Sakhalin Koreans settled in the city of Ansan , where 500 apartments were specially built for them.

Korean influence is weakly traced on Sakhalin: many Sakhalin Koreans no longer know the language and do not associate themselves with Korea. However, there are several authentic restaurants (for example, “Koba” ) on the island where you can try traditional dishes.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — the capital and base for exploring the island

The city is predominantly characterized by typical Soviet architecture, with almost no remaining Japanese buildings. This is because during the Soviet period, the city was radically rebuilt after being liberated from ‘imperialist Japanese rule.’ Many buildings were demolished, and from the few that remained, some were turned into museums. Perhaps the main thing that has been preserved from the Japanese period is the layout. The city was founded from scratch near the Russian village of Vladimirovka, and Chicago was chosen as the model for its layout. Toyohara was divided into four parts by two main streets, O-dori (now Lenin) and Maoka-dori (Sakhalinskaya).

Japan established itself thoroughly on the island. In Toyohara, trade routes converged, new bays were developed, and roads were built. The city’s population grew steadily. Initially due to the military garrison, and later due to a paper mill, a sugar and distillery plant. Now, the buildings of the former Japanese factories are abandoned. Many of them can only be accessed with rare tours, while others are completely closed. However, their presence is still recalled by street names, such as Paper Street.

Another building in the Neo-Japanese style is the Karafuto Governorate Museum built in the 1930s (29 Communist Avenue). It now houses the Sakhalin Regional Museum . And in the former bank of colonial development, there is the Art Museum (137 Lenin Street).

Several other iconic buildings constructed by the Japanese have been preserved: the central hospital of Toyohara (41 Chekhov Street), the conference hall of the Karafuto Governorate (30 Dzerzhinsky Street), and the Toyohara City Hall (41 Communist Avenue). The Sakhalin Railway Museum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is distinct from many similar museums in Russia due to its exhibits. This is because the island long maintained the Japanese standard of railway gauge, which differs from the Russian standard. Accordingly, the rolling stock was entirely different.

If in Vladivostok everything is named after the Far Eastern explorer and writer Vladimir Arsenyev, then in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, mentions of Chekhov are everywhere. At the end of the 19th century, Sakhalin was both the most dreaded place for exile to hard labor and one of the most tempting corners of Russia, which was not so easy to access. Chekhov received an editorial assignment and embarked on a ship along with prisoners, military personnel, and sailors to the most remote point of the empire. In his notes, which Chekhov compiled under the title ‘The Island of Sakhalin,’ the writer talked about many things: the geography and climate of the island, the life of the convicts, and ordinary residents. This book caused a great resonance at the time, and even now it was very interesting to read it while traveling to Sakhalin: some things have changed drastically, while others have remained the same. Now in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is even a museum dedicated to this one book, which turned out to be so significant for the island.

GoSakhalin is the website of the Sakhalin Tourist and Information Center. And in their official Telegram channel , you can find announcements of affordable excursions shortly before they start.

In any case, for travelers, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk remains primarily a hub and a place of rest. Here they return for the night and dinner, and it seems that real adventures begin outside the doorstep.

Surrounding Area

10–20 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The main reason people visit Sakhalin is for its unique nature. Mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and the sea, all on a small piece of land. In one day, you can travel from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Sea of Japan, cross several climate zones, see bamboo groves, birches, and spruces in one place, spot a running fox and a swimming orca. The island’s landscapes can boldly compete in Instagram appeal with Iceland or Norway.

Within Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk alone, there are about 30 kilometers of marked ecotrails, with brief descriptions and routes available on the official tourism portal. I also found an ecotrail in Nevelsk, which is not mentioned on the official website.

The ecotrails in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk start from the ‘Mountain Air’ ski center on the sopka (a term for mountains in the Far East) Bolshevik. There are five in total: ‘Children’s’ (2.7 kilometers), ‘Eight’ (8 kilometers), ‘Northern Ring’ (9 kilometers), ‘Russian’ (3.2 kilometers), and ‘Yelanka’ (5 kilometers). You can take a cable car to the start of the trails and then slowly descend through the forest and park to the city. However, the lift does not operate in rainy and windy weather.

Hiking the ‘Eight’ trail took me no more than three hours, including stops to catch my breath and take photos. Every kilometer and a half along the route, there are benches. From the top of the mountain, there is a view of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and it seems you can see a piece of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Chekhov Peak

The route to Chekhov Peak is a high-mountain trekking path that requires a certain level of physical fitness. Chekhov Peak has an elevation of 1045 meters, with an absolute altitude gain of 752 meters. The trail is narrow and slippery in places, hardly suitable for children or people with limited mobility.

Chekhov Peak is part of the Susunai Range, which supports Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from the southeast. You can exit from Gagarin city park to the foothills in about half an hour. The ascent to the peak itself cannot be missed: a marked trail and informational signs lead to it. On particularly steep ascents, ropes are hung for safety, but it is possible to walk up the slope without them.

In late spring, the forest trail has many streams, as well as May primroses and butterflies. The foothills are scattered with rare, incredibly large, and wonderfully fragrant marsh callas. Halfway to the peak, bamboo thickets are encountered, through which birches break through. This is also a kind of magic because, as a biologist friend explained to me, birch and bamboo are not supposed to coexist in the natural environment, but somehow they manage to do so. Occasionally, spruces are encountered — not tall, but very fluffy. Closer to the top, the vegetation becomes sparser, and the impressive views of the sea, mountains, and lakes open up from the height.

• The entire hike takes five to six hours.
• Even in summer, there is snow on the summit. In the afternoon, it starts to melt, making it more difficult to walk.
• Don’t forget to bring food and water.
• Wear boots with covered ankles, a jacket, and a head covering.
• Inform your family and friends, and someone living in Sakhalin, before setting out on the route. If you’re traveling alone, you could notify, for example, the hotel receptionist or roommates in a hostel.
• Snakes and bears are found around the trail. Watch your feet and try to make as much noise as possible. For example, play music on your phone and sing along occasionally.
• The ascent to Chekhov Peak can be the start of a journey to the village of Lesnoye on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk. The distance to the village is 27 kilometers. With good preparation and an early start from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, this distance can be covered in one day.

Mud Volcano in Klyuchi

A mud volcano is an eruption on the earth’s surface of clay masses, mineralized waters, and gases. The mechanism of formation of these volcanoes is not fully understood. According to the existing theory, such volcanoes are formed near oil fields.

The mud volcano in Klyuchi consists of a mud field about 200 meters in diameter. There, you can see about 20 points of activity, resembling miniature volcano craters. This mud volcano became active in 1959, 1979, 2001, and 2011 (the last time due to a strong earthquake in Japan). During these eruptions, mud columns reached several tens of meters in height. Bus 189 goes to Klyuchi from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The distance from the village to the top of the volcano is nine kilometers and takes about two and a half hours to walk.

Ecopark in the Vestochka area: Frog Rock, Aikhor Waterfall, ‘Sunny Glade’ Recreation Park

Not far from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is a fairly large ecopark, known primarily for the Frog Rock outcrop. An outcrop is a remnant of harder rock around which softer rock has eroded over time. Outcrops are often known for their unusual shapes and are natural monuments. Frog Rock is part of a series of rocks standing one behind the other. This was once the seabed of an ancient sea, and fossilized shells can be found in its vicinity. From the top of the rock, amazing views of the Aniva Bay, Tunaycha and Changeable Lakes open up. This place was sacred to the Ainu, the indigenous inhabitants of the island.

The trail to the ‘Sunny Glade’ ecopark begins behind the ‘Electron’ culture house. Despite its name, it is not a city park, but a full-fledged forest with laid-out paths. There are houses, glades with tables for rest where you can cook barbecues, and wooden walkways leading to various attractions. These are all paid services.

The path to Frog Rock outcrop goes along the Komissarovka River. In areas of spring flooding, callas bloom and bamboo grows. The outcrop is located on a hill, with a total elevation gain of about 300 meters. The road is quite challenging, usually taking from an hour to an hour and a half. The higher you climb, the more you can see: the sea, the mountain gorge, the road to Vestochka. In the same park is the Aikhor Waterfall, which is also a short climb away, but along a less well-maintained trail. You can plan a whole day to visit Vestochka and even spend the night, without returning to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Vestochka is three high-rise buildings on one side of the road and a cottage settlement on the other. It is part of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, though located 15 kilometers from the main part of the city. A taxi there costs about 1000 rubles and takes 40 minutes. About a kilometer after turning off the main road, the asphalt ends and a terribly dusty dirt road begins. If you’re lucky, you can catch a bus that runs three times a day.

What else to see on the island

40 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The oldest city in the south of Sakhalin, founded by Nevelskoy’s expedition. Here you can find a huge number of monuments dedicated to sailors, naval battles, and ships. The most significant monument in the city in recent decades has become the stele dedicated to ‘Koreans interned by the Japanese in Sakhalin, who never returned to their homeland,’ located on Mount Sorrow, created through the efforts of three countries’ governments (Russia, Japan, and Korea).

In Korsakov, some Japanese heritage has been preserved: the former building of the Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, a colonial development bank (Sovetskaya Street, 3), trade warehouses in the port, a document storage facility ‘Bunsyoko’ (Krasnoflotskaya Street, 1), a couple of rusty fire hydrants, and remnants of Shinto temples in the form of pillars with hieroglyphs. One of the local nighttime entertainments is watching the lights of the gas processing plant.

How to get there. Three electric trains a day, the journey takes just over an hour, and the ticket costs 75 rubles (0.75 euros).

Bird and Giant Capes

90 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Two capes, recognized as natural monuments in 1990, along whose coasts are many wind and wave-carved grottoes, caves, arches, and columns of various sizes and whimsical shapes, among which colonies of sea birds reside.

The place is not very close, but it’s very picturesque at any time of the year. In the area of one of the rocks, there is a pool where, during the salmon spawning period, you can observe a fascinating spectacle — a huge gathering of pink salmon.

Many tourists stay on the coast overnight to witness the sunset and sunrise. Near Cape Giant, there is a toilet, parking, and a rest area with benches.

How to get there. The journey from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk goes through the village of Okhotskoe, where you can buy fresh crabs, and takes about three hours one way. The road is fully passable only by high vehicles like Mitsubishi Pajero, Suzuki Jimny, as the last ten kilometers of the route have deep puddles, potholes, small cliffs, and rivers.

Nevelsk and Steller Sea Lions

Nevelsk is nestled between mountains and sea. The rocky mountains and the coast, which consists of small stone needles and shells, in every way explain why Chekhov so often mentioned in ‘The Island of Sakhalin’ how harsh the land of Sakhalin is.

Steller sea lions are the largest of the eared seals. One of their habitats is the breakwater in Nevelsk. As soon as you arrive in the town, the smell from the Steller sea lions’ haul-out site hits you. ‘They eat there, live, give birth to their young – that’s why it smells,’ the locals explain. Another feature is the noise. Steller sea lions are very loud!

You can view the sea lions from the central square, where binoculars are installed. However, tourists usually hire a boat and approach the haul-out site to get a closer look at the seals. You can see how the Steller sea lions bark, lie in the sun, jump into the sea and, most interestingly, try to jump back. The views from the square through binoculars are not as detailed and impressive. A place on the boat will cost 1000–1500 rubles (10.01 – (15.01 euros). You can also buy a tour from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for 3500 rubles (35.03 euros). The most animals are present in spring and early summer. In autumn, there may be a couple of dozen individuals left.

From the embankment, you can observe the huge kelp laminaria floating in the sea. Some travelers catch them themselves and eat them. Although dishes made from seaweed are found in cafes and also sold in stores. Signs are installed on the shore indicating where to run in case of a tsunami. The last major earthquake with waves was recorded in 2007. Many houses were destroyed and two people died. The most famous Sakhalin tsunami was the 1952 tragedy , when the aftermath of the earthquake almost completely destroyed Severo-Kurilsk.

How to get there. From the bus station (Karl Marx Street, 51b) in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, buses go to Nevelsk, the ticket costs 300 rubles (3.00 euros), and the journey takes about an hour. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station ticket office or from the driver (cash or transfer). It’s not possible to board the bus somewhere in the city, as the bus does not make stops. It’s better to buy a return ticket immediately upon arrival in Nevelsk at the Nevelsk bus station ticket office (Lenina Street, 1). The bus is popular with locals, and there may simply be no seats left.

Remnants of structures from the Karafuto period include the Maoka-Jinja temple with a Japanese-style garden and an abandoned railway built by the Japanese. It used to connect Kholmsk with Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Tourists usually come to see two photogenic bridges – Devil’s and Witch’s – and a tunnel in the mountain that makes a full circle inside it. The trail passes along the old rails, and there are many vipers, so one needs to watch their step.

How to get there. The bus to Kholmsk takes two hours, the ticket costs 450 rubles (4.50 euros), with 14 trips a day.

Slepikovsky Cape and Lighthouse

120 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

At Slepikovsky Cape, there is the only relic grove of Korean cedar on Sakhalin. Also located here is the functioning Slepikovsky Lighthouse, which is a 27-meter tall round tower, connected by corridors to utility and residential buildings.

The cape and lighthouse are named after the commander of the Russian partisan detachment Bronislav Grotto-Slepikovsky, who operated in Southern Sakhalin during the 1904–1905 war. The route to the lighthouse goes through the villages of Yablochnoe and Sadovniki, where some of the best beaches on Sakhalin are located — with the cleanest water and white sand.

How to get there. The cape is located 29 kilometers north of Kholmsk. From Kholmsk to the turn towards the lighthouse, there is asphalt with dirt sections. From the turn to the lighthouse, there is first a dirt road, then beach sand, which is recommended to be driven on with deflated tires. Visiting time is from spring to autumn, as the road to the cape is not cleared in winter.

110 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

In 1891, when the island had a penal colony, this was the Russian village of Siraroko, named after a nearby Ainu settlement. In 1905, the south of Sakhalin was given to the Japanese, and the village was renamed Higashi Shiraura. Here there were a railway station, a brick factory, and a coal mine. 40 years later, the settlement was renamed Vzmorye.

During the Japanese times, there was the Shinto shrine Higashi Shiraura Inari-Jinja. Only the torii gates remain — P-shaped gates without doors that are placed on the path to a Shinto shrine. These are the only torii on Sakhalin. On the torii, there is an inscription ‘In honor of the 2600th anniversary of the foundation of Great Japan’ — this mythological date was widely celebrated in 1940.

On the way to the torii, you can see the famous giant burdocks and bear’s garlic. Vzmorye is also known as a place where poached crabs are sold along the highway.

How to get there. Two electric trains and one train that start from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk stop in Vzmorye. Unfortunately, all three are in the evening. You can also get there on passing buses that go to the north of the island.

Tikhaya Bay

140 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

On one side, the bay is framed by Mount Smely, and on the other side, the majestic Zhdanko Ridge begins. To the left in the bay itself is an island-kekur, which can be reached during low tide, as well as the epic cliffs of Tikhaya Cape. By the way, behind this cape, there are waterfalls that become icefalls in winter. At the base of the bay is the mouth of the Tikhaya River, where during the season you can see the spawning of pink salmon and chum salmon. Bears are aware of this, so they are often encountered here.

How to get there. Buses going to Poronaysk stop in the village of Tikhoye, near which the bay is located. There are four trips a day.

Aniva Lighthouse

The lighthouse has a complex history: there were attempts to maintain it under Soviet rule, but Aniva was so remote from inhabited areas that it was not profitable. Eventually, the lighthouse was switched to autonomous mode, bringing in a radioactive isotope to sustain its operation, and then it was completely closed. To this day, you can find signs on the walls reading ‘Caution, radioactive’. But now this warning is outdated, as the radioactive isotope was removed when the lighthouse was decommissioned. The lighthouse is very beautiful, offering views of the island and sea, and inside you can explore the remnants of rooms and working areas.

On the return trip, tourists are also taken to Mramornaya Bay, where you can also climb a mountain and view the jagged coast of Sakhalin from above. Orcas and whales are often encountered in these areas, most frequently in summer. I would also recommend taking a combined tour in summer to Aniva Lighthouse, the Blue Lakes, and Busse Lagoon, where you can see the amazingly blue waters and try sea urchins.

A kilometer from Novikov is Cape Tri Kamnya (46.320342 143.373006), which can even be reached by car. Four kilometers from the cape is the small Strelka waterfall , which requires a walk. If you stay in the village overnight, you can take a hike to the Blue (turquoise) Lakes (46.359603, 143.471909). On the way, there’s an abandoned Japanese power station. You can extend your route by another 15 kilometers and reach the opposite shore of the peninsula – to Cape Evstafiya. The road from Novikov to Cape Evstafyeva through the Blue Lakes can be driven in a jeep, if there hasn’t been prolonged rain before. But it’s better to ask in advance those who have recently been there, and get the phone number of a local tractor driver in Novikov, so that if something happens, he can pull you out.

How to get there. Getting there independently is almost impossible. The lighthouse is located on a rocky outcrop in the sea, and the nearest land is a high cliff. However, some people do reach Novikovo (the nearest village) by bus or car, and then walk 44 kilometers on foot to Aniva (the name of both the lighthouse and the bay). It takes about one and a half hours to drive from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Novikovo. And then another two hours of rough dirt road to the boat dock. A tour from the company ‘Friends-Hikers’ costs 6000 rubles (60.05 euros) in May (in summer – 7000 rubles (70.05 euros)).

Klokovsky Waterfall

190 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Klokovsky Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls on Sakhalin Island. Its height is variously reported to be 48–49 meters, with a width of up to nine meters. The waterfall is accessible year-round, but is most full in late spring and early summer.

Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky

The ‘Tri Brata’ (Three Brothers) rocks are definitely a symbol of Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, and perhaps of the entire island. They are located in the Alexandrovsk Gulf almost opposite Cape Zhonkiyor. From the cape, there is a stunning view of the vast Tatar Strait and the Three Brothers. At low tide, it’s possible to calmly explore all the attractions of the gulf, collect seaweed and shells, see hermit crabs scuttling along the seabed with their shells on their backs, or watch the leaves of laminaria sway. At the strongest low tide, you can even walk to the Three Brothers through the water.

In the 19th century, convicts carved a 90-meter tunnel through Cape Zhonkiyor to service the lighthouse. To reach the tunnel by land, you need to come at low tide. Otherwise, you’ll have to climb the rocks. The tunnel is lined with logs, but there is almost always water at the bottom and a strong wind howls through it. If you pass through the tunnel, you will see the ‘Tri Sestry’ (Three Sisters) rocks and an old lighthouse from the end of the 19th century. All these places are described by Chekhov in ‘The Island of Sakhalin’: ‘Most often we went to the lighthouse, which stands high above the valley, on Cape Zhonkiyor. During the day, the lighthouse, if looked at from below, is a modest white house with a mast and lantern, but at night it shines brightly in the darkness, and then it seems that the penal colony looks at the world with its red eye. The road to the house climbs steeply, winding around the mountain, past old larches and firs. The higher you climb, the freer you breathe; the sea spreads before your eyes, thoughts gradually come, having nothing to do with the prison, the penal colony, or the exile settlement, and only then do you realize how dull and difficult life is down below.’

How to get there. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is one bus trip per day – at 12:10. The ticket costs 2200 rubles (22.02 euros), and the journey takes nine hours.

600 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The main transit point on the way to the oil refineries. The village might be of interest to those curious to see a harsh northern town living off production: low-rise buildings made of siding and unexpectedly bright murals on the walls of five-story buildings. There is a local history museum in the village (Sovetskaya Street, 3) – it is praised for its excellent exhibition of the Nivkh culture and a monument to Nevelskoy. Also, one of the longest rivers of Sakhalin, the Tym (which translates from Nivkh as ‘spawning river’), flows through the town.

How to get there. A night train goes to Nogliki every day, taking almost 12 hours. The cheapest ticket in a seated carriage costs 1100 rubles (11.01 euros), a compartment – 4100 (41.03 euros). There is even a luxury (SV) carriage for 12600 rubles (126.09 euros).

Where to Stay

Hostels in the Far East are divided into work and tourist types. The former will also accommodate tourists, but the atmosphere there is like a dormitory where their own rules are already established, and you may feel like an uninvited guest. To avoid such a hostel, it’s important to carefully read the reviews, not book the cheapest hostels, not stay on the outskirts or near airports and train stations.

In the Islander hostel , mainly travelers stay, it’s very cozy, with convenient kitchen and showers with toilets. A double room costs 3000 rubles per day, and dorms – from 900 rubles (9.01 euros) per night. If you book directly through the website and for a long term, you can get a good discount.

The ‘Moneron’ hotel is located near the railway and bus stations. It’s a classic budget hotel with small clean rooms. The ‘comfort’ class rooms have a bath, and the hotel provides a complete set with slippers, towels, and a hairdryer. Prices start from 2800 rubles (28.02 euros) per night for a single economy room, while ‘comfort’ costs 4900 rubles (49.04 euros). Breakfast is included in the price.

The ‘Belka’ hotel building is made using Finnish technology in a wooden style from milled timber. The cost of large rooms with wooden walls and huge beds starts from 5800 rubles (58.04 euros). Breakfast is also included in the price. The hotel complex includes a sauna, spa, tavern, and gym.

Near Bussé Bay is the island’s only dome-shaped glamping site. A night for two costs 8000-10,000 rubles (80.06 – 100.08 euros). An extra bed is 2000 (20.02 euros). Each dome has a shower, toilet, and electricity. On cooler days, you can light the stove and sit by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

In other towns, apart from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the choice of hotels is quite modest and usually limited to one or two hotels, which cannot always be booked online. They have to be found on the map and booked by phone.

Transport on the Island

Car. If you’re only traveling between cities, there won’t be any problems – the roads between them are mostly paved, and the dirt roads are of more or less good quality. It gets more complicated with natural attractions. Almost all of them are accessed by dirt roads, which not every car can navigate.

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, ‘Yandex.Taxi’ and ‘Maxim’ operate (also in Korsakov and Kholmsk). A trip within the city limits will cost a maximum of 300 rubles (3.00 euros).

Railway. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, about 30 electric trains depart daily. Most of them go to nearby areas like Dalnyaya, Khristoforovka, and Novoaleksandrovka stations – 8–23 minutes travel time.

To other cities, there’s only one electric train per day. It takes an hour to Korsakov and the ticket costs 80 rubles (0.80 euro). To Tomari, it’s four hours and 300 rubles (3.00 euros). To Poronaysk, it’s five hours of travel and 500 rubles (5.00 euros) for a ticket. Long-distance electric trains depart in the evening, as these routes are used by residents of the province who return from work in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to their homes.

There is also one train on the island – Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Nogliki, 12 hours of travel and 1100 rubles (11.01 euros) for a ticket in a sitting carriage.

Buses. It seems you can reach even the most remote settlements by bus. Often there’s only one trip per day, but at least it exists. To Kholmsk, Nevelsk, and Korsakov, the journey takes about an hour and a half, with tickets costing around 300 rubles (3.00 euros); to Poronaysk and Uglegorsk, it’s four to five hours and 1200 rubles (12.01 euros) for a ticket. You can check the current schedule on avtovokzaly.ru . But it’s always better to double-check by phone: +7 (4242) 72-25-53. The address of the bus station is Karl Marx Street, 51b.

Airplane. Sakhalin has a quite extensive network of airports, and you can fly from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Okha, Zonalnoye, Shakhtyorsk, Poronaysk, Smirnykh, Yuzhno-Kurilsk, and Iturup. Flights are operated by the Far Eastern airlines ‘Aurora’ and ‘Taiga’ . These routes are served by small propeller planes Bombardier and Mi-8 helicopters. Such a flight is an interesting experience in itself. Moreover, some flights are quite inexpensive. For example, to Zonalnoye, Shakhtyorsk, and Poronaysk, tickets cost 2000–3000 rubles (20.02 – 30.02 euros) one way. To Okha and the Kurils – from 6000 rubles (60.05 euros).

Ferry. From Korsakov, ferries run to different settlements in the Kurils every three to four days. The ferry to Kurilsk takes about 22 hours, to Yuzhno-Kurilsk – 22–30 hours, and to Malokurilskoye – about 40 hours. Interestingly, a ticket to any of these settlements costs from 2800 rubles (28.02 euros), available on the website of the ferry company.

How to get there

By plain. To travel to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from Europe, passengers typically fly through major transit hubs. Common routes involve flying from a European city to one of the major Russian airports offering direct flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, such as Moscow’s Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo airports. In 2023 it is only possible to fly to Moscow from major transit hubs such as Istanbul or Erevan. From there, travelers can catch one of the direct flights to the island. Some routes might also include stops or transfers in other large cities in Russia or Asia, depending on the airline and the flight itinerary, for instance, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Blagoveshchensk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Sovetskaya Gavan, and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There is even one international flight from Harbin, China.

In good weather, on approach to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, you can see the Tatar Strait, the Western Ridge, and the city itself. The airport is located within the city limits, and from there, you can easily reach any point by public transport (buses 63 and 3) or taxi.

Ferry. Vanino (Khabarovsk Krai) to Kholmsk (Sakhalin) . Passenger tickets for the ferry are sold at the Vanino railway station or at the ticket office in Kholmsk (Lenin Square, 5). They can also be reserved by phone: +7 (42137) 74088 (Vanino), +7 (42433) 50880 (Kholmsk). The ferries run daily, with a journey time of 18–20 hours. A seat costs 650 rubles (6.50 euros), while the cheapest cabin spot is 1400 rubles (14.01 euros). There is a dining room on board.

I was on the island in early May, and this has its pros and cons. On one hand, it’s already not very cold in Sakhalin at this time, and you can walk around in a light jacket or sweatshirt, and sometimes even just in a T-shirt. At the end of spring, you can catch the largest number of Steller sea lions in Nevelsk (closer to summer they migrate towards Avacha Bay). Also at this time, you can see the forest awakening: streams penetrate it from all sides, in their floodplains swamp callas bloom, meadows fill with primroses, and the hills are covered with bright green bamboo shoots. On the other hand, there is still snow in the mountains, in which you can get stuck while climbing, and the sea, which is not very warm in these areas, is completely unsuitable for swimming.

In summer, Sakhalin is not very hot, the coast blooms with wild roses, the sea warms up a bit, and there is less chance of bad weather when visiting remote attractions. Also, it’s precisely at this time you can see orcas (June – July) and whales (July – August), as well as the salmon spawning.

In winter, snowboarders and skiers come to Sakhalin. The mountains on the island are not high, so they are suitable even for beginners.

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Sakhalin Oblast, Russia

The capital city of Sakhalin oblast: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk .

Sakhalin Oblast - Overview

Sakhalin Oblast is one of the easternmost regions of Russia and the only region completely located on islands (Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands), part of the Far Eastern Federal District. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is the capital city of the region.

The population of Sakhalin Oblast is about 484,200 (2022), the area - 87,101 sq. km.

Sakhalin oblast flag

Sakhalin oblast coat of arms.

Sakhalin oblast map, Russia

Sakhalin oblast latest news and posts from our blog:.

14 April, 2024 / Beautiful Landscapes of Iturup Island .

28 November, 2022 / Abandoned Aniva Lighthouse on Sakhalin Island .

29 October, 2019 / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk - the view from above .

14 July, 2017 / Amazing Nature of Iturup Island .

16 March, 2016 / Columnar Landscape of Cape Stolbchaty on Kunashir Island .

More posts..

News, notes and thoughts:

17 December, 2011   / The oil drilling platform "Kolskaya" capsized on Sunday, about 200 kilometers off the coast of Sakhalin. According to recent data, there were 67 people on board. Currently, 14 people were rescued .

History of Sakhalin Oblast

The first people came to Sakhalin Island approximately 250-300 thousand years ago. The modern history of the region began in the 17th century, when the first Russian explorers came to the Pacific coast. The south of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands were inhabited by Ainu, the north of Sakhalin was inhabited by Nivkh.

In 1644, the first map of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands was compiled. In 1689, the peace treaty between the Russian kingdom and China was signed in Nerchinsk. For the first time it defined the boundary between the two states. Russia had to leave the Amur region for almost a century and a half. As a result, Sakhalin was beyond Russian influence for a long time. In the mid-18th century, the Manchus troops landed on Sakhalin. The population of the island became dependent on China.

In 1806-1807, the first Russian-Japanese armed conflict took place in the southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. October 20, 1806, N.A.Khvostov declared Sakhalin the Russian territory. In 1808, the Japanese restored ruined settlements in Sakhalin and Iturup.

In 1811, the Japanese garrison of the island of Kunashir took the Russian navigator V.M.Golovnin prisoner. He spent over 2 years in Japanese prison and was set free only after the Russian administration declared that N.A.Khvostov’s attacks were not legal.

More Historical Facts…

In 1850, G.I.Nevelsky raised the Russian flag in the lower Amur and declared it and Sakhalin the Russian territory. In 1855, the first Russian-Japanese treaty was signed in the town of Simoda. Simoda Treaty stated that the boundary between Russia and Japan was to be between the islands of Urup and Iturup. Sakhalin remained a co-ownership between the two countries.

In 1858, the first exiles were brought to Sakhalin. In 1869, Sakhalin was officially declared as a place of exile and a prison. In 1875, another Russian-Japanese treaty was signed in St. Petersburg. According to it, Japan renounced its rights to Sakhalin and received the Kuril Islands in return.

In June-July, 1905, the Japanese troops occupied Sakhalin. September 5, 1905, after the defeat of the Russian Empire during the Russian-Japanese War, a peace treaty was signed in Portsmouth (USA), according to which the southern part of Sakhalin became part of the Empire of Japan. In 1906, the Russian government cancelled exile and prison on Sakhalin. In 1907, the Japan government formed a governorship Karafuto on the territory of the southern Sakhalin.

On May 9, 1920, the Soviet power was declared in the northern Sakhalin. On April 22, 1920, about 2,000 Japanese soldiers landed in Alexandrovsk and seized power in the north of the island. This was followed by arrests and murders of supporters of the Soviet regime. On January 20, 1925, the “Convention on principal rules of the USSR and Japan interrelations” was signed in Beijing. It returned the northern Sakhalin to the USSR.

On April 13, 1941, the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact was signed. On February 11, 1945, in Yalta, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill signed an agreement on conditions of the USSR entering the war against Japan. One of the conditions was the transfer of the southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands under the jurisdiction of the USSR.

On August 8, 1945, the USSR declared war on Japan. On August 11-25, 1945, there were clashes in the southern Sakhalin. On February 2, 1946, the southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands were declared the territory of the USSR. At the same time, Yuzhno-Sakhalinskaya oblast was formed on the territory of southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. A new region became part of Khabarovsk krai.

In 1946-1948, the Japanese population of the southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands was repatriated. On September 8, 1951, a peace treaty with Japan was to be signed in San-Francisco. According to it, Japan renounced all rights and claims to the southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. But the treaty didn’t say anything about whom these territories should belong. The Soviet delegation didn’t sign the treaty.

On October 19, 1956, the Soviet-Japanese declaration was signed in Moscow. It stated the end of the war between the USSR and Japan. The article #9 of the declaration implied negotiations on the peace treaty and included the consent of the Soviet Union to return Japan the islands of Khabomai and Shikotan after signing the agreement. In 1960, the Soviet government refused to fulfill the obligations of the article #9 of the Moscow agreement.

On September 1, 1983, a jet fighter of the Soviet Air Force shot down a South Korean passenger Boeing that entered Soviet airspace over the territory of Sakhalin, 269 passengers died.

Today, the peace treaty between Russia and Japan is still not signed. This territorial issue remains the major problem in relations between Russia and Japan to this day.

Beautiful nature of Sakhalin Oblast

Nature of Sakhalin Oblast

Author: Semyonov Alexander

Lake in Sakhalin Oblast

Author: Sergey Kotelnikov

Hilly landscape of Sakhalin

Author: Podkovyrov Igor

Sakhalin Oblast - Features

Sakhalin Oblast is the only region in Russia, which is located on islands. It includes Sakhalin Island (76,600 sq. km.) with the neighboring small islands of Moneron and Tyuleniy, as well as the Kuril Islands (10,500 sq. km.).

Sakhalin is one of the largest islands in Russia, which stretches for 948 km from north to south. It is separated from the mainland by Tatar Strait, the width at the narrowest point, between the capes of Pogibi and Lazarev, is about 7 kilometers. The archipelago of the Kuril Islands stretches for 1,200 kilometers from north to south, between Kamchatka and Hokkaido.

The region is washed by the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. The unique geographical location of Sakhalin favors the development of international relations.

The climate is temperate, monsoon. The average temperature in January ranges from minus 6 (in the south) to minus 24 (in the north) degrees Celsius, in August - from plus 19 to 10 degrees Celsius respectively.

The main feature of the local nature is high seismic and volcanic activity. This is especially true for the Kuril Islands where there are 9 active volcanoes and earthquakes occur quite often.

Natural resources and economy of Sakhalin Oblast

Sakhalin Oblast is a place that combines a great raw materials potential with extreme conditions of its developing. In addition to biological resources provided by the seas, the region has large reserves of hydrocarbons.

The local population is not numerous, the infrastructure is not developed, except for Sakhalin. There is no stable year-round transport communication between different parts of the region (islands).

Sakhalin is specialized in fishery and its processing, forest and wood processing, pulp and paper industries. Oil, natural gas and coal are extracted here. It is the only region in Russia producing agar (also known as agar-agar) - a gelatinous substance obtained from seaweed.

Sakhalin is the third-largest producer of fish products in the Russian Far East. Seafood and timber are exported mainly to Japan, as well as to other Asia-Pacific countries.

Tourism in Sakhalin Oblast

Sakhalin Oblast has great potential for tourism development. Nature of Sakhalin is unique and beautiful. There are spa and thermal springs, deposits of curing mud, over 1,000 cultural and historical objects, volcanoes, waterfalls, monuments of archaeology, sites connected with culture of the natives.

The main tourism activities include rafting, climbing in the mountains (in particular Chekhov peak), hiking, snowboarding, skiing, cycling, caving, paragliding, windsurfing, year-round fishing, sea kayaking, scuba diving, ice climbing, kite surfing.

“Iljya Muromets”, the highest waterfall in Russia (141 meters), is located on Iturup Island, part of the Kuril Islands. Tyuleny Island, located east of Sakhalin, is a unique nature reserve with a rookery of fur seals.

Today, about 85-95% of foreign tourists come from Japan. They are interested in sightseeing and educational, environmental, fishing and nostalgic tourism.

Sakhalin oblast of Russia photos

Pictures of sakhalin oblast.

Sakhalin Oblast scenery

Author: Fedotov A.

Lake in the Sakhalin region

Author: Dmitry Peskov

Bear in Sakhalin Oblast

Author: Alexander Alyuskin

On the coast in Sakhalin Oblast

Rocks on the coast in Sakhalin Oblast

Author: Shulyak Alexander

Just a cow resting on the beach in the Sakhalin region

Author: Joey Tucker

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