Russia > The border town Blagoveshchensk

Russia - Blagoveshchensk lies on the Amur border river with China

Because we’ve covered long distances over the past few days, we can take it easy today. We sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast. Blagoveshchensk is a city located on the border river, the Amur. Across the river lies the Chinese city of Heihe. I take a walk through the city. The center of Blagoveshchensk is lively, with many shopping centers. The girl from the hotel explained to me where a hairdresser is. I want to get my hair done. Many Chinese come to Blagoveshchensk as tourists to shop. Many signs and advertisements are in both Russian and Chinese—neither of which I understand. I have to ask twice, using the Russian word for “hairdresser” on my phone, before I finally enter the shop. With my haircut done, I continue walking through Blagoveshchensk. At the central square stands a statue of Lenin. Groups of Chinese tourists take photos while a guide explains the monument via a microphone and loudspeaker. Everyone gets absorbed in taking pictures. From the boulevard along the river, I can see the Chinese city of Heihe. From a distance, everything across the river looks tidier. I walk along the somewhat run-down riverbank toward the Arch. A triumphal arch was built in 1891 in honor of the coronation of Prince Nicholas Romanov, the future Emperor Nicholas II. The arch was restored in 2005. Passing through the arch, I arrive at Liberty Square, where the victims of World War II are commemorated. Blagoveshchensk still has many buildings from the Tsarist period. The stately buildings now house museums, hotels, or restaurants. In the afternoon, we all settle on a terrace for a beer. We haven’t eaten anything yet. Nearby, there is a Japanese restaurant, where we order sushi. In the evening, none of us feel hungry. At another restaurant, we have a drink and order some snacks.