MY GUIDE | Moscow, Russia
Moscow On The Move The Russian capital is rich in history and bursting with contemporary artistry and innovation. Words Mara Vorhees | Illustration Josephine Skapare | Art Direction Euric Liew
GETTING AROUND Go Metro The massive Moscow Metro is not only an efficient form of transportation, it’s also an impressive artistic and historical display. Metro stations are decked out with marble columns, mosaics and bronze statues celebrating Soviet history and culture. The trains are frequent and speedy, costing only RUB55 (USD0.89/ RM3.50) per ride. goingplacesmagazine.com | 32 | June 2018
Apps & Maps The most popular mobile phone app for ordering taxis is Yandex. Taxi, which is easy to use with its interface in English. Lonely Planet’s Guides app provides detailed maps and professional reviews of museums, restaurants, bars, and historic sites.
Local Yokel Get a local perspective when you sign up for a walking tour with Moscow Greeter, a network of English-speaking volunteers who are keen to share the best of their city.
HEART OF MOSCOW Red Square The centrepiece of Moscow is this expansive area of cobblestones, with majestic buildings all around. Ogle the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral, with its intricate brickwork and multi-coloured domes. Pay your respects to the founder of the Soviet state at Lenin’s Mausoleum or do a spot of shopping in GUM, the former State Department Store, which is now a fancy shopping mall.
Fortress With The Mostest
Malaysia Airlines flies twice daily from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Heathrow (LHR), London. From LHR, connect to Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport (DME) via a oneworld partner airline
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The red-brick Kremlin is the founding site of Moscow and the seat of power for most of Russian history. Inside, gold-domed churches and plush palaces contain holy icons and royal tombs, while the Arsenal Museum is crammed with Imperial treasures. On the
way out, stroll through Alexander Garden and catch the changing of the guard (hourly) at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Wild Urbanism Moscow’s newest attraction is Zaryadye Park on the banks of the Moscow River. A walk through the park might traverse all four of Russia’s climate zones – forest, steppe, tundra and wetlands – all within a few blocks of Red Square. Don’t miss the innovative multimedia exhibits and ethereal ice sculpture gallery.
CULTURAL CLASSICS Lords Of The Dance Moscow is renowned for its classical performing arts, especially opera and ballet. And no company is more celebrated than the Bolshoi Theatre. Top tip: You can see equally ravishing performances – sometimes for significantly lower prices – at other theatres around town such as the State Kremlin Palace or Stanislavsky NemirovichDanchenko Music Theatre.
Art Museums Art lovers can choose between two massive museums showing off extensive collections of art through the ages. Visit the Tretyakov Gallery for a comprehensive look at Russian iconography, painting, and decorative arts. Across the river, the Pushkin Gallery of Fine Arts is the city’s premier collection of international works.
Holy Russia Founded in 1340 by the patron saint
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