Sakhalin Region stretches for more than 1,200 km along Russia's eastern border. It is the only region in Russia that lies on 59 islands, including the notorious Kuril Islands. The total territory of the region is 87,100 sq. km, 78,000 sq. km of it is Sakhalin Island, the largest island in the region. The Kuril Islands extending from Sakhalin to the northern Japanese territories are actually the peaks of a huge underwater mountain range. There are still 190 volcanoes on the Kurils, 50 of them are active at present. High mountains and wet climate are responsible for the great number of rivers and lakes in Sakhalin region. The total length of all rivers is 105,000 km and the total area covered by lakes is 110 sq. km. There is the famous 141-meter Ilya Muromets (Russia's highest waterfall) on Iturup Island in the Kuril chain.

Sakhalin region is indeed a land of contrasts. Here you will see both the northern taiga and the subtropical forests, green meadows and mountain deserts, cold ocean waters and hot geysers. The Kuril Islands and Sakhalin are sometimes called the Natural Arboretum. There is no other place on earth where you can find birch and yew trees, fir tree and acacia, larch tree and wild grape, creeping cedar and giant fern (up to 4 meters high) all growing naturally on one site.

The islands are amazingly rich in wildlife. Underwater fields of laminaria in shallow bays attract seals who live in big colonies on isolated islands. Thousands of birds inhabit the littoral rocks. The lands of Sakhalin region are rich in natural resources like coal, oil, gas, gold and sulphur as well as mineral springs and medicinal mud.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the capital of Sakhalin Region with a population of 164,000 people is located in the south part of Sakhalin Island. The city has an exciting history. Since 1858 Sakhalin was one of the most cruel places of exile for prisoners of all kinds. Having served their sentence they were required by state law to settle on the island - this is how the village of Vladimirovka appeared in 1881. At the turn of the century Vladimirovka was a prosperous village with pretty log houses decorated with wood carvings, shops, post office, school, mill, church. In 1905 the southern part of the island was occupied by Japanese troops. Vladimirovka became the center of Japanese province Karafuto and received the name of Toyohara. By 1940-s it was a considerably big town with a population of 40,000 people, numbered streets, developed industries, railroad and airport, several temples, schools, a museum and the private residence of Karafuto Governor. In 1945 the Soviet Union won Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands from Japan, Toyohara was named Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and became the official capital of Sakhalin Region of the Russian Federation.

RED STAR TRAVEL invites you to visit Sakhalin Region and its capital - the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. You will be enthralled by the stunning beauty of its virgin nature. Volcanoes towering over the violent waters of Pacific Ocean, waterfalls, geysers and mineral springs, incredibly rich flora and fauna, the dramatic history of the cities and villages will fill your trip with exciting experiences.

ANTA RESORT HOTEL * * * *

Located on the outskirts, in a nice wooded area. 14 km to the airport, 10-minute drive to downtown. Built in 1993. All rooms feature private bathroom, color TV, telephone, mini-bar. Room service. Pearl Restaurant (Japanese cuisine). Rubin Restaurant (Continental cuisine). 2 bars. Fitness center: sauna, Jacuzzi, massage, gym, tennis court. Business center: facsimile and photocopying facilities, translating services. Souvenir kiosk. Safety deposit box. Laundry. Baggage storage. Towncar service. Security service. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $239.

SAKHALIN SAPPORO HOTEL * * *

Located close to downtown. 12 km to the airport. Built in 1971. Recently renovated. All rooms feature private bathroom, satellite color TV, telephone. Room service. Sakhalin Sapporo Restaurant (Continental and Japanese cuisine). Bar. Business center: facsimile and photocopying facilities, international telephone. Night club. Safety deposit box. Laundry. Baggage storage. Security service. On-site parking. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $195.

EURASIA HOTEL * *

Located downtown, near the railway station and the main square. 8 km to the airport. Built in 1977. Renovated in 1998. 6 floors. 27 rooms: 5 singles, 20 twins, 2 suites. All rooms feature private bathroom, color TV, telephone, refrigerator. Eurasia Restaurant for 90 seats (Continental, Japanese and Korean cuisine). Bar. Coffee shop. Facsimile and photocopying facilities. Souvenir kiosk. Safety deposit box. Laundry. Baggage storage. Towncar service. On-site parking. Room rates - from $135.

NATALYA HOTEL * *

Located close to downtown. 12 km to the airport. Built in 1993. All rooms feature private bathroom, color TV, telephone, refrigerator. Suites are additionally equipped with kitchenettes. Bar. Souvenir kiosk. Sauna. Laundry. Baggage storage. On-site parking. Room rates - from $95.

LADA HOTEL * *

Located on the outskirts. 12 km to the airport. Built in 1989. All rooms feature private bathroom, color TV, telephone. Lada Restaurant (Continental and Korean cuisine). Bar. Casino. Beauty shop. Facsimile and photocopying facilities. Laundry. Baggage storage. On-site parking. Room rates - from $106.

Note: Reservation fee applies: 25% of the first night rate in all Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk hotels.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Museums

The Local Lore Museum. The Local Lore Museum has interesting displays about the region's geography, volcanoes, earthquakes, natural resources, flora and fauna. Here you will find some rare exhibits telling about the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of Sakhalin: ains, oroks, nivhs and others. The museum chronicles the history of the island from the time when first settlements appeared here to the present day. The materials collected by archaeological and ethnographical expeditions are also on display. There are special exhibitions on Sakhalin Exile, Chekhov in Sakhalin, the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese war, Koreans of Sakhalin.

The Art Museum. Located in the former Karafuto Branch Office of the Bank of Hokkaido. The museum has interesting exhibits on Korean and Japanese art and culture.

City Tour

During the 2-hour tour you will learn how the first man came to Sakhalin Island 4 thousand years ago and how the island was discovered by Russian explorers in the middle of the 17th century. You will see the foundation of Gokoku Dzindza Temple built in 1912, the Liberation of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands Memorial. Visit the City Nature Park created during Japanese government with a children's summer railroad. Travel to the Mountain Air Resort. You will enjoy a spectacular view of the city's surroundings: bountiful forests, lakes Tunaicha and Izmenchivoye. In July-August and in October-November you can watch the migration of salmon - Nature's fascinating spectacle.

Train Adventure on Sakhalin

Exciting train ride to the north part of Sakhalin. You will travel for 4 or 5 days in a comfortable tourist train (2 sleeping cars pulled by a locomotive), through 3 climate zones. Explore the unique nature of the island, experience the history and culture of the indigenous people of the North - oroks and nivhs.

Boat Ride on the Aniva Gulf

Boat ride on the Aniva Gulf with a stop for lunch in one of the picturesque bays.

Here are some other tour suggestions from RED STAR TRAVEL.
Please contact one of our offices for more information.

One or two-day trips to the neighboring towns of Kholmsk, Korsakov, Aniva, Poronaisk for sightseeing and tours of historical places.

Tours of Lake Tunaicha or the Aniva Gulf.

Fishing, hunting and wildlife watching tours.

Helicopter tours of the oil fields - Sakhalin-1, 2 and 3 wells.