🇷🇺 Moscow: Surprisingly Beautiful & Different from Expectations

Just returned from a 5-day trip to this mysterious yet fascinating city. Here’s a quick recap of my experience: 🧳 Travel Tips 1️⃣ Flights: Beijing-Moscow, 8 hours. 5-hour time difference. Round-trip flights cost ~¥5000 (cheaper from other Chinese cities). 2️⃣ Currency: Exchange rate in China: ~11.5 RUB = 1 CNY. At Sheremetyevo Airport, get a YooMoney card 💳 (easy process with email and phone verification). Use the app to track spending. Deposit cash at ATMs. Better exchange rates at banks inside GUM Department Store (3rd floor). 3️⃣ Transport: Moscow has Europe’s largest metro system 🚇 — use YooMoney card to ride. Taxi: Use Yandex Go (linked to YooMoney or cash). 4️⃣ Language: Russian is challenging — use translation apps (e.g., Yandex Translate). Basic English + gestures work too! 5️⃣ Accommodation: Hotels are pricey, rooms and beds are small. No kettles in rooms, but hot water is available in common areas. 6️⃣ Maps: Baidu Map or Huaban Map works well for navigation and metro routes. 7️⃣ Internet: Buy a local SIM card or enable international roaming. Best to bring two phones — signal is stable but may be limited. 🏛️ Sightseeing 1️⃣ Must-Visit: Red Square & Kremlin (dedicate a full day) Cathedral of the Armed Forces (book a car — absolutely stunning! ✅ Photography allowed inside) Moscow River cruise 🚢 — take the evening royal cruise from Radisson Ukraine Hotel (book in advance!). 2.5 hours of iconic views + breathtaking night scenery. 2️⃣ Shopping: Auchan (for daily needs & souvenirs) GUM Department Store & Okhotny Ryad Mall 🛍️ Many 24/7 convenience stores and small restaurants. 3️⃣ Food & Prices: Affordable meals (~¥20-30/person). Russian milk is delicious and cheap! 🥛 Avoid Coke and imported tea — very expensive. Chinese food is available but pricier. 🌆 Impressions of Moscow 1️⃣ August weather was cool ☀️, air quality excellent, streets incredibly clean — rarely seen in big Chinese cities. 2️⃣ Russians are polite, friendly, and highly cultured. Historical architecture is well-preserved. Strong sense of national identity + inclusivity. 3️⃣ Very safe — Ukraine war has no visible impact here. Relaxed vibe everywhere — no stress, just people chilling in the sun. 😎 4️⃣ Moscow is extremely photogenic — every corner is Instagram-worthy! 📸 Forget any preconceptions — Russia is absolutely worth visiting! #TravelTheWorld #Moscow #ExploreRussia #Wanderlust