I'm off to Khabarovsk in late September. It's my first trip to Russia despite having studied the language for two years.

Anyone been there and can recommend anything to do or have any advice? I'll probably do a day trip to Birobidjan but I have no other plans.

Not sure if this thread (www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=493970) helps you.

I'm off to Khabarovsk in late September. It's my first trip to Russia despite having studied the language for two years.

Anyone been there and can recommend anything to do or have any advice? I'll probably do a day trip to Birobidjan but I have no other plans.

A guy I used to work with here in Siberia once lived in Birobidjan for about half a year. It was, how to say, a challenge. PM me and I'll give you his email address in AL. Just curious, why there?

I again suggest signing up at http://www.expat.ru and asking there. That is the best place I know to get information about anything anywhere in Russia. Everybody has been everywhere at least once it seems.

[QUOTE=woody125] Just curious, why there? [QUOTE]

Well, since you asked...

I've been studying Russian at uni for nearly two years but I still haven't been to Russia (only Kiev). Since I'll be in Seoul this September, and considering that OZ do flights to KHV, I figured I would take a little side trip. After booking the tickets I started to get interested in the history and present situation of the Jewish Autonomous Region and decided to my dissertation on that subject. So, hopefully I'll get the chance to practice a bit of Russian and I'll be able to do a bit of research for my project too (or at least I'll be able to put my current research into perspective).

[QUOTE=woody125] Just curious, why there? [QUOTE]

Well, since you asked...

I've been studying Russian at uni for nearly two years but I still haven't been to Russia (only Kiev). Since I'll be in Seoul this September, and considering that OZ do flights to KHV, I figured I would take a little side trip. After booking the tickets I started to get interested in the history and present situation of the Jewish Autonomous Region and decided to my dissertation on that subject. So, hopefully I'll get the chance to practice a bit of Russian and I'll be able to do a bit of research for my project too (or at least I'll be able to put my current research into perspective).

I wondered if the JAR had something to do with it. I live in Novosibirsk which S7 flies to non stop from Seoul as well. I would invite you here but the Jewish Autonomous Region is definitely peculiar to that area. Hopefully, the guy I hooked you up with will respond. Hope it goes well for you.

If you are considering OZ trip out of Seoul, I would opt for another their Far Eastern destination, which is Yuzhno Sakhalinsk (UUS). It is much more wild and exotic. But I presume you have already booked your tickets.

I visited Khabarovsk maybe three times (business) and I must say, of all Russian Far Eastern places, it is the least exciting one. It is a big air travel hub and a city of some size, you can have a look at Amur River but there is little else to do.

I have a hotel to recommend though - read my review (http://www.epinions.com/content_154595790468) .