Novosibirsk

Introduction

St. Nicolas Chapel - the symbol of Novosibirsk

© dfnsk

Novosibirsk is the third largest city in Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg. It is also the youngest city to exceed the population of a million citizens, being founded in 1893. Novosibirsk is an ideal place for traveling in Siberia because of its tourist-aimed infrastructure and a developed transportation system. Today Novosibirsk is the business-center of Siberia. It explains its business-tourism orientation as well as the abundance of exhibition pavilions and an extensively developed publicity market. ^[1]

Sights and Activities

One of the central streets of Novosibirsk

© dfnsk

A Centre of Industry - There were launched many factories in the Novosibirsk region under the Soviets despite the lack of precious mineral resources. Even more of the factories were transported back home from the battlefields of WWII. Some of them are closed now, with the majority working half as efficiently as they could, but others keep on developing.
The cultural center of Siberia - with some restrictions, though. Traditionally, theater has been the best-developed kind of cultural distraction here, but the city is large enough to provide many other ways of spending an evening or a weekend.
Novosibirsk Museum of Regional Studies (State Museum of Local History and Nature, Museum of History and Ethnography, Новосибиркий Государственный Краеведческий Музей), Krasnyi Prospekt 23 (Metro: Ploschad Lenina), ☏ +7 8(383)227-15-43. We & Fr 10:00-18:00, Th 12:00-20:00, Sa & Su 13:00-18:00, closed Mo & Tu. History of Novosibirsk and Siberia and its peoples from Mammoth-hunting days, thru Russian colonisation, the coming of the railway, communism, and today. Audioguide via izi.travel app. Temporary exhibitions on the top floor. 200 руб.
Novosibirsk State Art Museum (Новосибирский государственный художественный музей), Krasnyi Prospekt 5 (short walk S from Lenin Sq). Tu-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 12:00-20:00, closed M. Extensive permanent collection, the Roerichs being especially striking, plus exhibitions. 120 руб, concessions 60 руб.
Novosibirsk Zoo (Новосибирский зоопарк), ☏ +7 383 220-97-79. Daily 09:00-21:00. With 10,000 animals, it is one of the largest zoos in Russia. Adults: 300 руб; Children/Students: 150 руб.
Monument to the laboratory mouse (Памятник лабораторной мыши). Bronze statue by local artist Andrey Kharkevich in the park in front of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, erected on 1 July 2013, coinciding with the 120th anniversary of the founding of the city. It commemorates the sacrifices of mice in genetic research to understand biological and physiological mechanisms for the development of new drugs and curing of diseases. The sculpture depicts a laboratory mouse wearing a pince-nez on the tip of its nose, sitting on a granite pedestal. The mouse holds knitting needles in its paws, as if it is knitting a DNA double helix. Viewers will immediately notice that the helix is wound left, whereas DNA is taught in schools to wind right. This is done intentionally to indicate the DNA helix knitted by the mouse is the still poorly understood Z-DNA, as opposed to the wider known B-DNA taught in biology classes.

Weather

The weather in Novosibirsk is like the rest of typical Siberia, with a clear sky and far below freezing winter temperatures. The reason for these temperatures is the absence of nearby ocean, the Ural Mountains, barring Atlantic air masses from reaching Siberia, and the lack of tall mountains at the north of Novosibirsk, that could have held back freezing Arctic winds. In fact, Novosibirsk is the second farthest substantially populated city from the ocean, the first being Ürümqi in China.

The climate is humid continental (Köppen Dfb), with warm summers and bitterly cold winters. Snow is frequent, falling on almost half of all winter days, but individual snowfalls are usually light. On average temperatures range in summer from +15 °C to +26 °C and in winter from -20 °C to -12 °C. However, winter temperatures can go as low as -30 °C to -35 °C, and summer temperatures can go as high as +30 °C to +35 °C. The difference between the highest and lowest recorded temperatures is 88 °C.

Travellers coming from countries with mild climates may find Novosibirsk’s winter tough, but it may not be extraordinary for those from northern countries. At times, bitter cold may hold for some days, but temperatures of -40 °C and lower do not occur every year. In the springtime, streets and roads become dirty as a result of mud and melting snow, while the weather is still cold.

Getting There

Novosibirsk is a major transportation junction. Here, waterways lying through the River Ob join airways ending in Tolmachevo airport and two small local airports. Intercity highways meet railways, Novosibirsk having been initially built to serve as an important railroad junction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Despite all this, the city’s road infrastructure is currently being reconstructed due to its inability to cope with the growing traffic load.

By Plane

Tolmachevo Airport, (OVB IATA), +7 383 216-98-41, also known as Novosibirsk International Airport, is 16km from the city centre. The airport serves over 4 million passengers per year. There are regular to flights to many major Russian cities including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Krasnodar, Omsk, Ulan-Ude, Samara, Ufa, and Yekaterinburg as well as international flights to Dushanbe, Istanbul, Baku, Prague, Yerevan, Beijing, Almaty, Osh, Bishkek, and Dubai.

To travel between the airport and the city:

• Bus #111 (RUB35) operates between the airport and the main train station "Novosibirsk-Glavny" (Новосибирск-Главный) and Avtovokzal (Автовокзал), the bus terminal (30 minutes).
• Minibus #312 operates between the airport and the main train station.
• Bus #112 (RUB30) operates between the airport and shopping mall "Mega" (IKEA).
• A taxi takes around 30 minutes and should cost RUB500 if negotiated in advance.

By Train

Vokzal-Glavny station is very close to the Garina Mikhailovskogo (Гарина Михайловского) metro station.

All Trans-Siberian trains stop at Novosibirsk Vokzal-Glavny Station. You can take this train as far as Moscow, Beijing, Ulaan Baator, or Vladivostok.

There are also regional trains to most nearby cities.

Getting Around

By Public Transport

Public transport includes a Metro system in the city centre as well as buses, trams, marshrutkas, and trolleybuses. A ride on intra-city public transport costs RUB35 or less.

By Foot

The city centre is fairly compact and a walk from the railway station to Lenin's square takes around 20 minutes.

Eat

There are many good dining options and many local chain restaurants. Lenin Square is a popular place to eat. Italian food, sushi, and Russian food are all very popular. Many cafes offer lunch specials on weekdays.

Beerman. Friendly beer restaurants with several locations in the city: Beerman&Grill (1 Vokzalnaya Av., Novosibirsk Hotel), Beerman&Pelmeni (7 Kamenskaya St., Hilton Hotel), Beerman&Pizza (7 Karla Marksa Sq.) Great food and in-house beer.
Pechki-Lavochki (Печки-Лавочки), 11 locations. Rustic "Traktir"-type restaurants with typical Russian cuisine — grilled and/or smoked beef and pork, sausages. Several kinds of fish dishes. Wide selection of hot and cold appetizers, and hearty soups like Solyanka and Borscht. Their most central location is at 1 Lenina St. Mains: 450 руб.

Drink

Old Irish Pub, Krasny prospect #37, ☏ +7 383 222-65-76. 12:00-02:00.
People's Grill & Bar, Krasny prospect #17 (Down a stairway opposite St. Nicholas Chapel), ☏ +7 383 218-09-39. 12:00-02:00. Celebrity hangout. Serves burgers, wraps, pasta, pizza, sushi, fajitas and cocktails.
Pub 501, ul. Lenina, 20, ☏ +7 383 218-09-39. Serves great food as well as drinks. Prices are higher than most places.
Truba Jazz Club (Труба), pr. Dimitrova, 1, ☏ +7 383 227-15-69. 19:00-06:00. Visit if you want to meet Novosibirsk's "underground" culture. Foreigners usually like this place.
Travelers Coffee, Several locations. Good selection of tea and coffee. English menu is available. Some light snacks such as sandwiches, wraps, and cheesecakes, muffins and cookies. Free WiFi and plug sockets for your laptop. Very good service. edit
Kardamon, ул. Чаплыгина (Chaplygina) 39. An alternatively looking tea room with nice travellers' atmosphere. Tea for 100 руб, light meals for 100-150 руб.

Sleep

With the exception of some high-end hotels, all hotels and hostels offer free WiFi and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards. Hotels and hostels will usually provide a visa invitation and registration for an additional fee.

Central Hostel of Novosibirsk, Ordzhonikidze st. 33 - 4 (In the centre, two minutes away from metro station Ploschad Lenina.), ☏ +7 (383) 222-56-89. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 13:00. The staff is always pleased to help with everything. 3 bedrooms; capacity is 16 customers. Dorm bed: US$12-20; Double: US$50-57. edit
Dostoevsky Hostel, ulitsa Maksima gorkogo, Apt. 85 (City center near the Opera House; across the road from Rechnoy Vokzal metro station), ☏ +7 8-983-510-75-83, ✉ [email protected]. A modern hostel with excellent security. The owners are very welcoming and look after all the guests. Dorm bed: 350-700 руб. edit
FunKey Hostel, Frunze st. 5/2 (5 minutes walk from Lenina Square), ☏ +7 (383) 263-65-03. Very spacious and beautiful hostel. Each room is issued in individual style. Spacious drawing room, kitchen. Staff is very friendly. Dorm bed: 500-700 руб. edit
Zokol Hostel, Shchetinkina st. 34 (2 minutes walk from the main street, Lenina St; 10 minute walk from the train station), ☏ +7 383 2233611. Very comfortable rooms, more akin to a hotel, with single beds and a nice communal kitchen/living area. The staff speaks excellent English and are extremely friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. Dorm bed: 500-900 руб. edit

Azimut Hotel Siberia, Lenina Street #21, ☏ +7 383 223-12-15. Check-out: exactly 24h after check-in. In a concrete tower. Breakfast buffet. Sauna. From 1600 руб.
Centralnaya / Tsentralnaya Hotel, Lenina street 3 (On the street opposite the opera/ballet house.), ☏ +7 383 222-72-94, +7 383 222-36-38. Check-in: anytime(?), check-out: exactly 24 hr after check-in. TV, fridge, and sink in the room. Grim, shabby Soviet-era accommodations for hardy, budget-conscious travelers. Not recommended for families. From 1200 руб; shared bathroom.
Metelitsa Hotel, Dobrolyubova, 195, ☏ +7 383 285-30-00. Restaurant serves European, Russian, and Japanese cuisine. From 2500 руб, breakfast included.
Park Inn by Radisson Novosibirsk, ul. Dmitriya Shamshurina, 37, ☏ +7 383 230-08-80. From 3200 руб.
River Park. Formerly known as the Ob Hotel, on the bank of the Ob River, is situated close to the Metro just southeast of the city center. After being gutted by fire in the 1990s, it has been refurbished, with reasonably clean rooms, a business center, and a nice Russian restaurant on the first floor. Don't look for English-language television or air conditioners, but there are plenty of rooms with private bathrooms. Single: 2800 руб; Double: 4000 руб.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Novosibirsk, Kamenskaya ul., 7/1, ☏ +7 383 223-01-00. A 4-star hotel.
Novosibirsk Marriott Hotel, Ordzhonikidze Street 31, ☏ +7 383 230-03-00.

Learn

Novosibirsk has a scientific and campus life center. Akademgorodok is a major scientific center comprising Novosibirsk State University and dozens of scientific laboratories and institutes. It was founded in 1950 and since then it has managed to become as integral a part of the city as its other areas, though it still bears its own marks of distinction, such as beautiful parks and forests, beaches, safe and quiet streets, many youngsters.

Keep Connected

Internet

Russia is a huge country, and excess to the internet varies a lot. The main cities and tourist places have (free) wifi excess at lots of places, like restaurants and cafes (McDonald's is always a safe bet). Internet cafes are present in larger places as well. Rural areas and especially if you venture into remote and/or mountainous areas have little excess at all. Most travellers will find connections though when using their phone or tablet.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

The emergency number is 112. The country code for Russia is 7. Russian phone numbers have an area code with three, four or five digits (according to their province), followed by an individual number with, respectively, 7, 6 or 5 digits, always yielding 10 digits in total. The three digit code 800 is used for toll-free calls. Mobile phones always have three-digit "area" codes and seven-digit numbers. Calls within any one area code may omit the area code (except in Moscow). Inter-area code calls within Russia: 8 (wait for tone) full Russian number including area code. The international access code for dialling outwith Russia is the sequence of 8 (wait for secondary tone and then) 10. International calls to Russia, as always, replace the plus sign (+) in the international phone format with the local international access code for the country you're calling from, followed by Russia's country code of 7 followed by the individual Russian phone number including area code.

You will require a SIM-unlocked GSM 900 / 1800 compatible international cell phone when buying a Russian SIM card. If you do not have your own international cell phone, it's best to buy a cheap cell phone with some value on the card. Foreigners can purchase a local SIM card by showing your passport. BeeLine is considered to be the best in terms of reliability and connections quality. However Megafon's services can be a bit cheaper.

Post

Russian Post is the national postal service of Russia. It's English version is currently under construction, but mainly involves the track&trace system. The domestic post is reasonably reliable, and sending international mail is fairly reliable but slow, taking at least a few weeks to European countries, longer to the USA or Australia for example. The delivery of mail sent from abroad to Russia is highly unreliable, and people or companies tend to use foreign adresses, from where a private carrier sends it to Russia. Alternatives like poste restante are non-existent with Russian Post. Most cities and large towns in Russia have a Central Post Office (Glavpochtamt), which also sells stamps and envelopes, and usually has fax services and Internet availability, though the latter mostly not in smaller places. Also, many hotels have postal services, including mail boxes. Post offices tend to keep long hours, usually from 8:00am or 9:00am until 8:00pm or 9:00pm Monday to Friday, and closing earlier during weekends. The main central post offices in the biggest cities keep even longer hours. For sending parcels, you can also try services by DHL Russia and FedEx Russia. For all mail you can use the regular alphabet, though maybe include the country's name in Cyrillic. For sending post to Russia (or trying to receive it) note that addresses should be in reverse order: Russia, postal code, city, street address, name.

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