Chelyabinsk

Good to know

1. 1Chelyabinsk was founded in 1736 as a fortress on the frontier of the Russian Empire. It grew quickly after the Trans-Siberian Railway reached it in the 1890s, when it became a major gateway to Siberia.
2. 2The city is one of Russia's main centres of heavy industry, especially metalworking and machine building. During the Second World War, so many factories were moved here that it was nicknamed Tankograd, the tank city.
3. 3In February 2013 a meteor exploded in the sky above Chelyabinsk, and footage of it spread around the world. Fragments fell in the surrounding region, and you will still see the event used on souvenirs and in local museums.
4. 4The city lies close to the border between Europe and Asia as it runs along the Urals. Obelisks marking the boundary stand along roads and rail lines in the region.
5. 5The area around Chelyabinsk has many lakes and low mountains, and Lake Turgoyak and Taganay National Park are popular day trips or weekend trips for locals.
6. 6The language is Russian, and the money is the Russian rouble. English is not widely spoken, so a few words of Russian or a translation app will help a lot.

Tips for a first visit

• Learn to read the Cyrillic alphabet before you go. Street signs, menus and transport maps are mostly in Russian only, and even basic reading makes the city much easier.
• Plan to use buses, trams, trolleybuses and taxis in the city, since the sights are spread out. Ride-hailing apps are widely used by locals and are often the simplest way to get around.
• Try Russian and Ural home cooking such as pelmeni, which are meat dumplings, and hearty soups like borscht or solyanka. Many cafes serve a set lunch, which is an easy way to eat well.
• Carry some cash as well as a card, especially if you travel out to the lakes or small towns. Check with your bank before you leave about whether your cards will work.
• Take your shoes off when you enter someone's home, and expect to be offered slippers. If you are invited to a meal, bringing a small gift such as sweets or flowers is appreciated.
• Dress for the weather in layers, and bring proper footwear. Winters here are long and cold, and pavements can be icy.

When to go

Summer is warm and green, which makes it the best time for the lakes, hiking and walking around the city. Winter is cold and snowy, and suits people who enjoy skiing in the nearby hills and do not mind the cold. Spring and autumn are changeable, but autumn colours in the forests can be lovely.

From the airport

Chelyabinsk's main airport, Balandino, lies a few kilometres north-west of the city centre. You can reach the centre by taxi or ride-hailing car, or by local bus or minibus, and the trip normally takes about half an hour, depending on traffic.