Gorokhovets, founded in 1168, is a small town with a population of about 12 thousand people located in the eastern part of Vladimir Oblast in the center of European Russia, about 159 km east of Vladimir and 86 km west of Nizhny Novgorod.

One of the oldest towns in the region, Gorokhovets is included in the list of historical settlements of Russia. On the territory of the town and its environs, a lot of monuments of church and civil architecture from different eras have been preserved. Gorokhovets on Google Maps. Photos by: Yuliya Baturina.

Cathedral of the Annunciation (1700) in Gorokhovets.

beautiful architecture of provincial Russia

Tags: Vladimir oblast

Atsgara lakes or the Pyatiozerye (“Five lakes”) valley are located at an altitude of about 2,500 meters above sea level in the Urupsky district of the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia, about 26 km northwest of the village of Arkhyz and 7 km east of the village of Zagedan.

In total, there are more than 10 lakes here, but only 5 are large in size, their length is about 200-350 meters. The lakes are located on mountain terraces formed by an ancient glacier and at different heights relative to each other. In summer, these lakes warm up quite well and you can cool off in them. Atsgara Lakes in Karachay-Cherkessia on Google Maps. Photos by: Fedor Lashkov.

amazing mountain scenery

Tags: Cherkessk city · Karachay-Cherkessia Republic

The Circum-Baikal Railway is the name used during the construction (1899-1905) and in the first years of operation of the 260 km section of the Trans-Baikal Railway. Today, this is a dead end section of Slyudyanka II – Baikal, 89 kilometers long. It is located about 70 km south of Irkutsk and runs along the shore of Lake Baikal.

This railroad has no equal in Russia by the number of engineering structures. Its tunnels and stone galleries are unique. Built according to non-standard projects, they were not rebuilt in subsequent years, retaining the original plan of architects and engineers of the early 20th century. Photos by: Mikhail Tilpunov.

amazing train ride

Tags: Irkutsk oblast · Russian Empire

Ivolginsky Datsan “Khambyn Khuree” (“Abode of the Wheel of Teaching, bringing happiness and full of joy”) is a Buddhist monastery-university, the center of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia, which is the largest Buddhist community in Buryatia and one of the largest in the country.

This monument of history and architecture is located in the Republic of Buryatia in the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga, about 36 km west of the center of Ulan-Ude, the capital city of the republic. Ivolginsky Datsan on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

colorful Buddhist monastery

Tags: Buryat Republic · Ulan-Ude city

The abandoned mountain terraces of Dagestan, several thousand years old, are among the most interesting sights of this region. The largest number of them has been preserved in the Gunib and Dadakhan districts.

The mountain terraces of Bali, China, Peru, and other regions of Southeast Asia and Latin America are known all over the world. In some countries, mountain terraces are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

amazing scenery

Tags: Abandoned · Dagestan Republic

The Aniva Lighthouse is an amazingly picturesque abandoned lighthouse located on Cape Aniva in the very south of Sakhalin Island in the Far East of Russia. The height of the building is 31 meters, the height of light – 40 meters above sea level.

This mysterious place is an important tourist attraction of Sakhalin. Tourists usually come here on private boats. The lighthouse is gradually destroyed by water and wind. In the coming years, it is quite possible that repairs will be carried out to preserve this unique building. The Aniva Lighthouse on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

beautiful remote place

Tags: Abandoned · Sakhalin oblast

Putorana is a mountain range (plateau), located in the heart of Siberia, in the northern part of Krasnoyarsk Krai.

The maximum height of the plateau is 1,701 m. Its area is about 250,000 square km, which is about the same as the area of the UK (242,495 square km). The Putorana Plateau on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

stunning nature reserve

Tags: Krasnoyarsk krai

Khunzakh is a very picturesque village with a population of 4 thousand people located in the southern mountainous part of the Republic of Dagestan, 140 km southwest of the city of Makhachkala, at an altitude of about 1,700 meters above sea level.

The houses here are built on the very edge of the Khunzakh plateau, where the height of sheer cliffs reaches 100 meters. Khunzakh on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

very picturesque mountain village

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Makhachkala city

Gremyachiy Klyuch is a natural spring located on the right bank of the Vondiga River, about 80 km northeast of Moscow, in the Sergiev Posad district of Moscow Oblast. The temperature of the water in the spring is constant all year round (6 degrees Celsius) and is considered curative.

According to legend, the spring appeared thanks to the prayer of Sergius of Radonezh (1314-1392), one of the most highly venerated saints of the Russian Orthodox Church. Today, the approaches to it have been landscaped, a church, a chapel, a refectory, a church shop with souvenirs, and baths have been built.

very picturesque tourist destination

Tags: Moscow city · Moskovskaya oblast

The Lipetsk Reserve stretches along the left bank of the Voronezh River to the south of the city of Lipetsk. The territory of the reserve is about 13 thousand hectares. It protects the natural landscape of the area, including relic plants, rare insects inhabiting limestone rocks, birds, and wild animals.

Hunting is strictly prohibited here, fishing – only with permission. In 2004, the Lipetsk Reserve became part of the National Park, where, in addition to the protected area, it is planned to create a recreation area for people with a hotel, a nature museum, a zoo, and stables. Lipetsk Nature Reserve on Google Maps. Photos by: Fedor Lashkov.

beautiful sunny day near Lipetsk

Tags: Lipetsk city