GoRussian Federation Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Ordinary visa

Chinese citizens' visas to Russia are divided into business visas, cultural exchange visas, tourist visas, private visas, study visas, work visas, and transit visas. Before visiting Russia, Chinese citizens holding official or private ordinary passports should obtain visas that match the purpose of the visit and pay attention to the validity and duration of the visas. For specific matters, please consult the Russian Embassy or Consulate General in China or the Russian Visa Center in China.

Before traveling, it is necessary to make corresponding preparations, understand the laws and regulations related to foreign citizens in Russia, and preferably travel with compatriots who understand foreign languages. Carefully read and inquire about the types of visas and invitation letters from the inviting unit and visa agents, so that they can explain and clarify when necessary. At the same time, check whether the passport, visa, invitation letter, hotel order (if any), etc. are fully carried and backup copies. Please take good care of your passport and replace it promptly if it is damaged. Whether you are coming to Russia for official, business, tourism, studying abroad, or working, it is recommended that the Russian host go to the airport to greet you, in order to avoid entry obstruction.

Precautions for visa application:

（1） The visa application form should be filled out completely, and the Russian Embassy in China may request the applicant to provide additional documents or conduct an interview as needed;

（2） If several people are invited at the same time, each applicant should provide a complete document;

（3） The applicant should personally deliver the visa or provide a notarized power of attorney;

（4） Russia has not yet implemented a 72 hour visa free transit system, nor does it have a practice of processing landing visas at airports. Chinese citizens holding passports, connecting tickets with confirmed dates and seats to continue to the final destination country, as well as visas for the final destination country, are exempt from visa application when transferring within the same airport (excluding international flights to domestic flights) and staying for no more than 24 hours. The activity scope is limited to the transit area of the same airport. If you need to transfer flights between different airports in the same city or between different cities within Russia, you need to apply for a valid entry or transit visa in advance.

2、 Electronic visa

On August 8, 2017, the Vladivostok Free Port region in Russia implemented an electronic visa system. On July 1, 2019, the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia implemented an electronic visa system. On October 1, 2019, the city of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast in Russia implemented an electronic visa system. On August 1, 2023, Russia will fully implement its electronic visa system and open online applications for single entry electronic visas valid throughout Russia for citizens of 55 countries, including China.

（1） Handling process

Within 40 days prior to entering Russia, and no later than 4 days prior, on the electronic visa website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs（ https://evisa.kdmid.ru ）Fill out the application form on the mobile application, submit the passport information page and electronic ID photo. The applicant must ensure that the passport is valid for more than 6 months, has sufficient blank pages, and holds medical insurance during their stay in Russia, without providing any other documents. You can receive the audit result within 4 natural days after paying the fee. After the visa is issued, the applicant shall print the electronic visa themselves. If the application is returned and requires additional materials, it should be resubmitted within 10 days. The types of Russian electronic visas include visiting friends, business, tourism, as well as participating in scientific, cultural, sports and other exchange activities. Holding an electronic visa allows for a one-time entry, with a validity period of 60 days from the date of issuance and a permitted stay of 16 days.

（2） Instructions for use

Electronic visa holders can only enter and exit from the 100 designated border checkpoints designated by the Russian side. When entering the country, electronic visa holders need to present their passport and printed electronic visa, and prepare a valid medical insurance policy within Russia for reference. Transport companies can verify the authenticity of electronic visas through the website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please note that according to Articles 13 and 14 of the Russian "Unified Electronic Visa Issuance Procedure Regulations", the Russian border inspection department has the right to revoke electronic visas in accordance with the law without explaining the reasons. Please ensure that the visa application information matches the information on the documents held by the applicant.

（3） Entry and exit ports

There are a total of 100 ports where electronic visas can enter and exit, including 51 air ports, 24 road ports, 8 railway ports, and 12 water ports. Please refer to the Russian electronic visa website for the specific list of ports（ https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/checkpoint.html ）

Special reminder: 1. Please pay attention to the visa policy changes announced by the Russian Embassy in China.

2. Passengers who transit through Russia to Belarus or take off from Belarus and transit through Russia must obtain a valid entry or transit visa in advance, regardless of the length of their stay at the airport and whether they need to transfer across airports.

3. After entering the country with an electronic visa, the maximum stay is 16 days. Except for force majeure such as serious illness or flight cancellation, the validity period and stay days of the electronic visa cannot be extended; Electronic visa holders can only enter and exit through designated ports, please make sure to check and confirm in advance.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 Entry precautions:

（1） Carrying large amounts of cash and items into the country requires declaration. When entering the country by plane, foreign passengers must carry personal items with a total value not exceeding 10000 euros; When entering by other means of transportation, the total value shall not exceed 1500 euros; Regardless of the mode of transportation, the cash and/or cash vouchers (such as traveler's checks, promissory notes, bank checks, etc.) carried upon entry shall not exceed a value equivalent to $10000; Exceeding the above limit requires a written declaration to the customs through the red channel, otherwise administrative or criminal penalties will be imposed based on the scale of the excess amount;

（2） Carrying endangered wildlife and their products, wireless broadcasting equipment, precious metals and gemstones, precious musical instruments, cultural relics, etc. into the country requires declaration;

（3） There are special regulations for customs clearance of exhibits. According to the universal customs regulations, exhibition items are clearly classified as commercial goods and generally require ATA Carnet procedures. It is illegal to bring exhibits into Russia in the form of personal use items;

（4） It is prohibited to bring prohibited or restricted items into Russia. The above-mentioned items include: weapons, ammunition, explosives, narcotics, psychotropic drugs, cultural relics, toxic substances and strong drugs, radioactive substances;

（5） Prohibit carrying excessive items into Russia. The total weight of personal belongings carried by foreign passengers shall not exceed 50 kilograms; Foreign travelers over the age of 18 are allowed to enter duty-free with alcoholic beverages up to 3 liters, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.

Special Reminder:

1. If you don't understand, ask proactively. For detailed regulations on passenger entry and exit customs clearance, please visit the official website of the Russian Customs to inquire. If the passenger is unsure whether the item they are carrying needs to be declared, it is recommended to inquire proactively or declare it to customs through the red channel.

2. Do not bring items into or out of the country for others. Do not trust others easily and bring unknown items into the country on behalf of others. Previously, there were travelers to Russia who were entrusted to carry items into the country, but were found to contain toxic or other prohibited substances. They were subjected to criminal investigation by the Russian police and even faced imprisonment.

3. Fruits, meat and dairy products, and some commonly used drugs are restricted from entering Russia. Most of the cold medicines, cough suppressants, sleeping pills, painkillers, and weight loss pills that are publicly and legally sold domestically are restricted for passengers to carry into and out of the country due to the fact that some of their ingredients are classified as Russian psychotropic drugs and strong drugs.

2、 Outbound precautions:

（1） Purchasing valuable musical instruments and artworks within 50 years in Russia, such as oil paintings, sculptures, icons, ancient coins, medals, awards, stamps, etc., for export must hold a certificate issued by the Russian cultural department;

（2） Carrying more than 250 grams of black fish seeds or more than 5 kilograms of red fish seeds out of the country requires obtaining an export license from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development;

（3） If the total amount of cash currency carried exceeds 10000 US dollars and leaves the country, a written declaration must be made to the customs through the red channel and additional customs duties must be paid;

（4） It is prohibited to carry precious and semi precious stones such as amber, jade, diamonds, precious metal raw materials such as gold, silver, platinum, wild animals and plants such as tiger skin, tiger bones, bear skin, bear paws, bear bile, sea cucumber, unprocessed birch mushrooms and their products out of the country;

In addition, the Federal Air Transport Agency of the Russian Federation has stipulated that passengers are prohibited from carrying liquids on board from January 11, 2014, and any liquids or liquid personal hygiene products must be checked in. Individual passengers' essential medicines can only be carried in their carry on luggage after being inspected and identified by the airport security department.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Residence registration.

（1） Chinese citizens should apply for residence registration at the local immigration office within 7 days after entering Russia.

（2） Chinese citizens who travel to areas outside their long-term residence for more than 7 days need to register, and they must also register again after returning to their place of residence. Because after registering in another city, the original place of residence registration will be automatically cancelled. International students or business people who frequently travel or travel outside their residence are advised to re register in a timely manner.

（3） Registering foreign citizens at the immigration office is the obligation and responsibility of the Russian reception party, including employers, hotels, and residences. If the residential address declared by a foreign citizen does not match the actual address, or if the landlord of a residential property refuses to register the residence of a foreign citizen, the receiving party shall bear corresponding responsibilities. However, Chinese citizens who reside in Russia for both short-term and long-term periods should pay attention to timely registration to avoid unnecessary penalties due to negligence.

（4） Chinese citizens holding multiple entry visas who re-enter Russia after leaving the country must reapply for residence registration.

2、 According to Russian law, the purpose of entry on a foreign citizen's visa to Russia should be consistent with their activities in Russia (for example, only holding a work visa can work in Russia, and holding a business or tourist visa to work in Russia is illegal). Foreign citizens engaging in activities that are not in line with the purpose of their entry visa are considered illegal. Buying and selling invitations, visas, and work permits through intermediary companies is also illegal.

3、 Foreign citizens applying for a 3-year temporary residence or settlement permit in Russia are often required to provide a certificate of no criminal record. Chinese citizens are advised to apply for a certificate of no criminal record and additional certificates in China before coming to Russia if necessary. The certificate of no criminal record for Chinese citizens should be obtained from the domestic public security organs in China, translated and notarized by a notary office, and an additional certificate should be obtained from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its authorized local foreign affairs office. The specific procedures and requirements for processing additional certificates can be found on the China Consular Service website (website: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/ ）Or search for relevant websites of local foreign affairs offices.

4、 According to relevant Russian regulations, Chinese citizens working or residing in Russia who invite their spouses and children from China to visit Russia must provide proof of their family relationship to the agency handling the invitation letter. Therefore, if Chinese citizens need it, it is recommended to obtain a family relationship certificate, a notarized Russian translation, and two copies of additional certificates in China before going to Russia. One copy is used to apply for an invitation letter in Russia, and the other copy is used for relatives to apply for visas to Russia.

5、 When applying for residence procedures in Russia, foreign citizens are required to provide photos (frosted surface), personal identification documents and their translations, notarized translations, immigration cards with border entry stamps, payment invoices, etc. Please keep all documents and files properly and make copies and backups.

6、 Some local immigration bureaus require passports with a remaining validity period of more than 5 years when issuing 5-year residency permits.

7、 If the visa expires and the person does not leave the country or apply for an extension at the relevant unit, the person will be subject to an administrative penalty of 2000-5000 rubles. The person involved in Moscow, Moscow Oblast, St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast and other four places will be fined 5000-7000 rubles, and may even be forcibly deported, and will be prohibited from entering Russia for a period of 5 years.

8、 For information on applying for residency and citizenship, please visit the official website of the Russian Federal Immigration Service.

9、 According to the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation, those who violate the relevant provisions of the entry and residence system of the Russian Federation (including those who do not have a valid residence permit in Russia, fail to report to relevant departments in a timely manner after the loss or damage of a valid residence permit, and fail to leave the country on time after the prescribed residence period expires) must be submitted to the court for judgment, fined, and administratively expelled. According to the formal procedure, the individual is required to bring valid identification documents to the local immigration office to handle relevant procedures. After being sentenced by the court and paying a fine, the individual must present a court judgment and leave the country within a specified time limit. Generally speaking, if the parties involved have not personally appeared in court to accept the judgment, the authenticity of the judgment obtained is questionable. Leaving the country with a false judgment will constitute a criminal case.

Russia currently has 3 orange (high-risk) areas, 5 yellow (medium risk) areas, and all other areas are blue (low-risk).

Specifically, as follows:

1、 Orange regions: Bryansk Oblast, Kursk Oblast, Belgorod Oblast. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens to be cautious when traveling to the above-mentioned areas in Russia in the near future. Local personnel and institutions have closely monitored the development of the situation, maintained high vigilance, strengthened security precautions and emergency preparations, and ensured personal and property safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

2、 Yellow regions: Dagestan Republic, Ingushetia Republic, Kabardino Balkar Republic, Karachay Cherkess Republic, North Ossetia Alania Republic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens in the aforementioned regions of Russia to closely monitor the local security situation, be vigilant, strengthen prevention, and pay attention to safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

3、 Blue region: Other regions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

Chinese citizens traveling and staying in Russia have experienced unfortunate incidents such as theft, robbery, assault, fraud, and extortion. The anti-terrorism situation in Russia is also not optimistic. We remind Chinese citizens traveling in Russia to raise their awareness of security precautions and protect their own lives and property safety.

1、 Enhance self-protection and prevention awareness;

2、 Timely handle the residence procedures after entering the country;

3、 Properly keep passport, visa, residence and other identity documents, and make several copies for future reference;

4、 Carry your identification with you when going out, bring the address and phone number of the hotel you are staying at, bring less cash and valuable items, and do not show off or flaunt your wealth;

5、 There are many local currency exchange points, so pay attention to counting the amount of money when exchanging;

6、 Beware of thieves in tourist attractions, subways, shopping malls, stations, and other places; Do not take photos of birds such as pigeons, let alone touch pigeons, and do not take photos with dolls dressed in classical or animal clothing to avoid fraud. Once encountering illegal infringement, one should promptly report to the police;

7、 When the police check the documents, please present them first and remember their name, police number, police car number and other relevant information. Once encountering illegal infringement, it can be used as a clue to report to the relevant Russian inspection department;

8、 Try to minimize outdoor activities at night and avoid activities in dark and secluded areas as much as possible;

9、 Do not go to nightclubs, bars, nightclubs, casinos, and pornographic venues;

10、 When going out, you should travel in groups, such as driving a car or taking a taxi. When taking the subway, pay attention to safety;

11、 Do not open the door casually when encountering someone visiting;

12、 During holidays, gatherings, parades, or crowded places in Russia, do not join in the excitement. Try to minimize activities in public places around April 20th (Hitler's birthday) every year. During this period, the activities of the Russian neo Nazi forces ("skinheads") are rampant;

13、 Be civilized, pay attention to words and deeds, and do not make loud noises in public places to avoid attracting others' attention, disgust, or even causing trouble;

14、 Do not accept invitations and gifts from strangers;

15、 Women should not ride alone in a stranger's car.

16、 Do not easily believe any calls claiming to be from Chinese embassies and consulates abroad or domestic government agencies such as public security, procuratorial, and judicial authorities. Especially, do not continue to input relevant information as requested, and do not provide personal information such as name, WeChat ID, address, family situation, bank account, etc. Regardless of the reason behind the call, please do not believe it, let alone call back or transfer money as requested. If you receive suspicious phone calls or phone recordings that cannot be identified as fraud, it is recommended to hang up the phone first and further verify to prevent telecommunications fraud.

The mixed forest belt of coniferous and broad-leaved trees in the Ural region is a severely affected area by ticks, and there are incidents of people being bitten and killed by ticks every spring and summer. Due to the fact that ticks mainly inhabit grasslands and forests, it is best to spray mosquito repellent on exposed skin during outdoor activities and avoid sitting or lying in the wild for long periods of time. If accidentally bitten by a tick, do not use tweezers or other tools to remove it, nor should you crush it with your fingers. Due to the inverted hook on the head of the tick, if it cannot be properly removed after penetrating the skin, it is easy to leave its head inside the skin and continue to infect. If it encounters a tick bite, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

In winter, when driving to Lake Baikal's Olkhon Island for tourism, attention should be paid to the freezing of the lake's ice surface to avoid danger.

St. Petersburg has a well-developed water system and numerous rivers and canals. The protection measures for the riverbanks are simple and outdated. When sightseeing or taking photos, it is important to pay attention to personal safety and avoid the danger of accidental falling into the river.

natural disaster

Due to global climate change, the permanent frozen zone in Russia has melted, and natural disasters such as sinking of house foundations, communication lines, and natural gas pipelines, as well as glacier collapses, often occur in northern Russia.

Fire is a common natural disaster in Russia. Russia has a vast area, abundant forest resources, and hot summers with dry climates, making it difficult to prevent and control fires.

Winter in most parts of Russia is long and cold, with the lowest temperature in Siberia and some areas within the Arctic Circle being below minus 50 degrees Celsius. Blizzards often occur in Moscow, Siberia, and the Far East during winter.

FDA

The water quality in Russia is relatively hard, and the tap water pipes are aging. When traveling around Russia, one should pay attention to personal hygiene and not drink tap water directly, let alone hot water from hot water pipes. It is recommended to purchase purified water or boil filtered tap water before drinking.

Urgent Help

Urgent Help

Police hotline: 102.

Fire alarm: 101.

Medical emergency: 103.

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Embassy in Russia: 007-4999518661;

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Consulate General in St. Petersburg: 007-812-7137605;

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Consulate General in Khabarovsk: 007-4212340572;

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Consulate General in Yekaterinburg: 007-9221509999;

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Consulate General in Irkutsk: 007-9647301058;

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Consulate General in Vladivostok: 007-9020780873;

Consular protection assistance hotline of the Consulate General in Kazan: 007-9172734789;

The 24-hour emergency medical insurance assistance and complaint suggestion hotline for Chinese tourists is 88007751869.

air traffic

Moscow is the most important transportation hub city in Russia, with flights connecting major cities within Russia and major countries or regions around the world. At present, direct flights from Moscow to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and other places are available. Moscow has four main international airports: Sheremetyevo Airport (IATA airport code SVO), Domodedovo Airport (code DME), Vnukovo Airport (code VKO), and Zhukovsky Airport (code ZIA). Except for a few tourist charter flights, flights arriving and departing from Moscow domestically are mostly concentrated at Sheremetyevo Airport.

St. Petersburg is the most important tourist city in Russia. China Hainan Airlines and Sichuan Airlines have respectively opened direct flights from St. Petersburg to Beijing and Chengdu, arriving and departing from St. Petersburg domestically and stopping at Terminal 1 of Pulkovo Airport.

Aurora Airlines has launched direct flights from Khabarovsk to Harbin and Beijing.

IrAero and S7 Airlines have launched direct flights from Irkutsk to Beijing and Harbin, while Hainan Airlines and Aeroflot are about to launch direct flights from Irkutsk to Beijing.

Ural Airlines previously opened direct flights from Yekaterinburg to Beijing, Harbin, and Xi'an (the aforementioned flights have not yet resumed operations).

Aurora Airlines, Chengdu Airlines, and Hainan Airlines have launched direct flights from Vladivostok to Beijing, Harbin, Dalian, and other cities.

Special reminder: The flight situation in major cities in Russia and within the country often changes. Please keep an eye on the information of major airlines at all times.

land transport

The Russian railway trunk line is 87600 kilometers long, accounting for 7% of the world's railway trunk lines. Railway freight volume accounts for 35% of the world's total, while passenger volume accounts for 18% of the world's total. Moscow has seven major railway stations: Kiev, Yaroslav, Belarus, Leningrad, Riga, Kursk, Kazan railway stations, etc., which run to various parts of Russia, as well as the CIS, Eastern Europe, and the Eurasian Continental Bridge countries. The final station of the Beijing Moscow international train is Yaroslav Railway Station. The Moscow Railway Information Office phone number is+7-495-266-9000.

St. Petersburg is an important land transportation hub in northwestern Russia. St. Petersburg has 10 railway passenger lines radiating to Moscow, Helsinki, and other major cities. There are a total of 5 directions and 5 originating passenger railway stations in the city, namely Moscow Railway Station leading to Moscow, Baltic Railway Station leading to the Baltic States, Vitebsk Railway Station leading to Belarus, Finnish Railway Station leading to the north and Finland, and Ladoga Railway Station.

Khabarovsk is approximately 270 kilometers away from Tongjiang City in Heilongjiang Province, China, and is connected by highways to Moscow and major cities in northwest Russia. Khabarovsk Railway Station is located in the city center and is an important hub on the Trans Siberian Railway. From here, trains can travel to major cities in Russia.

Yekaterinburg is the third largest transportation hub in Russia, with 6 national highways and 7 railway lines intersecting here.

Vladivostok is the capital of the Primorsky Krai of Russia, located no more than 200 kilometers away from three land ports: Hunchun in Jilin, Suifenhe in Heilongjiang, and Dongning. Vladivostok is the eastern terminus of the Trans Siberian Railway in Russia, with the opening of a dedicated passenger and freight railway transport line between the Suifen River.

water communication

The Moscow River flows through the city of Moscow, providing more convenient transportation for the interior of Russia. St. Petersburg is the largest seaport in Russia, with navigation to multiple countries and river access to vast areas within the country. Khabarovsk, as an important port on the Amur River (known as Heilongjiang in China), plays a significant role in the field of waterway transportation. Haba has direct passenger ships to Fuyuan, Heilongjiang, providing convenience for cross-border tourism between China and Russia.

Urban transportation

Public transportation in major cities in Russia is relatively developed. Public transportation in major cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg mainly consists of subways, trams, and trolleybus, providing access to various parts of the city and tourist attractions. The Moscow Metro was officially opened on May 15, 1935, with entrance and exit signs marked as "M" and a single ticket price of 65 rubles (approximately 5 yuan). The Saint Petersburg Metro was opened in 1955 and currently operates 5 lines with a single ticket price of 70 rubles (approximately 5.5 RMB). The unified ticket price for various public transportation in Yekaterinburg is 33 rubles (approximately 2.6 RMB). The unified ticket price for public transportation in Irkutsk city is 25-35 rubles (approximately 2 to 2.7 yuan). The ticket price for public transportation in Vladivostok is uniformly set at 40 rubles (approximately 3.2 RMB).

Taxis can be booked in major cities in Russia, and regular taxis in Russia are usually yellow with a "T" symbol inside a circle.

Special Reminder:

1. According to the principle of reciprocity, currently Chinese citizens cannot drive in Russia with a Chinese driver's license and a notarized translation. They must pass an exam and obtain a Russian driver's license before they can drive in Russia. In addition, when driving, attention should be paid to the right turn signal light, avoiding pedestrians, equipping children with safety seats in motor vehicles, not driving under the influence, not occupying bus lanes and emergency lanes, not parking illegally, following the instructions of traffic police to stop and actively cooperating with inspections. In case of a traffic accident, whether it causes personal injury or not, the police must be called and the insurance company must be notified in a timely manner. Pedestrians should pay attention to crossing the road and using zebra crossings. When walking on non crowded suburban roads at night, they must wear photosensitive devices, otherwise they will be fined.

2. There is no unified pricing standard for Russian taxis, some are charged by kilometer, some by time, and some are not equipped with meters. It is recommended to use Yandex Go software for car hailing or choose a regular taxi for travel as much as possible; Before boarding, it is important to understand the pricing method, estimated travel time, estimated price, payment method, and other relevant information. It is also important to remember the license plate number, vehicle model, and other necessary details. It is recommended that passengers pay attention to requesting receipts when getting off the bus, check their valuables in a timely manner, and avoid missing luggage; If the driver demands a high price or discovers that the credit card has been fraudulently used during payment, it is recommended to promptly report to the police for assistance while ensuring personal safety, and retain relevant evidence and materials for later rights protection and compensation.

major city

1、 Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia, the largest city in the country, and one of the largest cities in the world. Located on the banks of the Moscow River in the central European part of Russia, with an area of 2561 square kilometers and a population of approximately 13.1 million. There are research institutions such as the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Agriculture, and the Academy of Medical Sciences in Mo City, as well as over 70 universities and numerous museums, and more than 20 professional theaters. There are over 800 enterprises in the city, mainly engaged in machinery manufacturing and metal processing industry.

2、 St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia, known as the "Northern Capital" of Russia, with an area of 1439 square kilometers (606 square kilometers of urban area) and a population of approximately 5.6 million. The Holy City consists of 42 islands connected by over 400 bridges. There are 93 rivers and canals of various sizes in the city, with a water area accounting for one tenth of the city's total area, and it is known as the "Venice of the North".

Holy City has established sister city relationships with 95 foreign cities. In 1988, it established friendly city relations with Shanghai, China. Currently, 45 countries have established consular offices in Saint Germain.

3、 Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg was founded in 1723 and named after Empress Yekaterina I (wife of Peter the Great). It is the capital of Sverdlovsk Oblast and an important industrial, transportation, trade, scientific, cultural, and administrative center in all of Russia and the Ural region. The city is located on the eastern foothills of the Ural Mountains, on the banks of the Iset River, 1667 kilometers east of the Russian capital Moscow. It covers an area of 1110.69 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 1.53 million. It is a friendly city with Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, and Chengdu in Sichuan Province. Currently, 21 countries have established professional and honorary consular offices here.

4、 Khabarovsk

Khabarovsk is located on the east bank of the confluence of the Heilongjiang River and the Ussuri River, facing Fuyuan City in Heilongjiang Province across the river. With a population of approximately 617000 and an area of 389 square kilometers, it is the capital of the Khabarovsk Krai. An important transportation hub and river port city in the Russian Far East, the Trans Siberian Railway runs through the city. There are a number of universities located in the city, including Pacific National University and Far Eastern National Chiao Tung University. It is a friendly city with Harbin City in Heilongjiang Province and Sanya City in Hainan Province.

5、 Vladivostok

Vladivostok is the administrative center of the Far Eastern Federal District, with a population of approximately 597000 and an area of 331.16 square kilometers. It is located at the eastern end of the Trans Siberian Railway and serves as Russia's gateway to the Asia Pacific region. The only federal university in the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia (Far Eastern Federal University) and one of the three branches of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Far Eastern Branch, are located in the city. At present, friendly city relations have been established with Dalian, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, and Harbin in China.

6、 Irkutsk

Irkutsk is the capital of Irkutsk Oblast, located 66 kilometers west of Lake Baikal at the confluence of the Irkut River and the Angara River. It covers an area of 305 square kilometers and has a population of 620000, of which 78% are ethnic Russians. Yishi is an important industrial center in Russia and the largest economic city in East Siberia. Its main industries include energy and petrochemicals, aircraft manufacturing, heavy machinery, food processing, and wood processing. At the same time, it is one of the centers of science, education, and culture in the Siberian region of Russia. The Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has research institutions in geography, chemistry, limnology, and solar terrestrial physics in the city of Irkutsk. It has 6 higher education institutions including Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk State Polytechnic University, and Baikal State University, as well as 107 cultural and artistic institutions. Yishi and Shenyang have established a friendly city relationship.

7、 Kazan

Kazan City is located on the banks of the Volga River, with an area of 425 square kilometers and a population of 1.31 million, of which 47% are Tatars. It is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Kazan is a historic and cultural city in Russia, with the Kremlin, Sviyazhsk Island, and the Bulgar archaeological site listed as world cultural heritage sites. The city is an important center for scientific research and education, with 44 higher education institutions including Kazan National University. It is also an important industrial and financial center, with relatively developed industries such as machinery manufacturing, chemical engineering, and petrochemicals. The city is a friendly city with Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an, and Qiqihar.

Commodity prices

At present, the price levels in major cities in Russia are basically the same as those in China, with Moscow's consumption level being higher than other cities.

Main products: oil, natural gas, timber (mainly in Siberia, Far East and Primorsky Krai), weapons (helicopters, tanks, submarines, etc.), seafood (such as Arctic shrimp, salmon, deep-sea crabs, etc.), aquatic products (sturgeon, caviar, etc.), animal skin and hair products.

Currency: The national circulating currency is the ruble. The ruble can be freely exchanged with US dollars and euros with a passport, and the exchange rate is a floating rate determined daily by the Central Bank of Russia. Currency exchange must be conducted at a legitimate bank, and the US dollar must not have creases or stains, otherwise the bank will reject it. Since 2023, the ruble to US dollar exchange rate has fluctuated between 65 and 102 rubles to 1 US dollar.

Insurance Medical

1、 According to relevant regulations in Russia, individuals who temporarily visit, study, do business, work, or travel to Russia should complete international travel medical and accident insurance procedures before entering the country.

2、 Public hospitals require patients to present their medical insurance policy and passport for medical treatment. If the patient has not purchased medical insurance locally and there is an emergency situation, they can call the emergency number 103. After the ambulance transports the patient to the hospital, the patient needs to pay the medical expenses themselves. Russian medicine is separated and medication needs to be taken by oneself.

3、 Hospitals often visited by foreigners, such as Potkin Hospital (ГородскаяКлиническаяБоленинимениС. П. Боткина), outpatient department telephone+74994900303,+78006003141, address: г. Москва，2-й боткинский проезд, 5。

The hospital that often admits foreign citizens in St. Petersburg is Maria Hospital (Городская Маринская больница), located at Гонкт - Петербург, д. 56 Phone:+7 (812) 222-20-03 Website: https://mariin.ru/

4、 Tourists who purchase insurance can call the 24-hour emergency medical insurance assistance hotline for Chinese tourists in Russia in case of emergency: 88007751869.

Customs taboos

1、 Religious beliefs

The main religion in Russia is Eastern Orthodoxy, with believers accounting for approximately 74% of the total population; Next is Islam, accounting for about 6%; 1% each believe in Catholicism, Judaism, and Buddhism, while the rest believe in other religions.

2、 Holidays and festivals

January 1st is the Gregorian New Year; January 7th Eastern Orthodox Christmas; February 23rd National Defender's Day; International Women's Day on March 8th; May 1st International Labor Day; May 9th Victory Day; Children's Day on June 1st; June 12th, Russia Day; September 1st Knowledge Festival; November 4th, People's Unity Day; December 12th is Constitution Day.

3、 Customs and traditions

In formal occasions, when strangers introduce each other, adults usually use their full names, while young people often only use their names. Among middle-aged people, especially those with higher cultural levels, even if their relationship is quite close, they use "you" to address each other as a sign of mutual respect. The usual greeting is to shake hands. When long lost relatives and friends meet, they often kiss and embrace. Men usually kiss the back of women's hands, while parents kiss their children's foreheads.

On grand occasions, Russians welcome distinguished guests with the phrase "adding salt to bread" to show the highest respect and warmest welcome. When invited as a guest, you should take off your hat and greet the hostess first, then the male host and others. Russians attach great importance to engagement and wedding rings. They like to set a few small gemstones on their engagement ring and a large gemstone on their wedding ring. Russians have a great love for flowers, whether on birthdays, holidays, or as guests, they cannot do without flowers. Giving flowers can be as few as one or as many as several, but they must be in the odd number because Russians believe that odd numbers are auspicious and even numbers are inauspicious. There are also considerations for sending flowers: on International Women's Day, send lovebirds to your girlfriend; The flowers given to men must be tall stems and brightly colored large flowers; Only when someone dies from the other party, send even flowers, that is, two or four flowers.

The diet of Russians mainly consists of Western cuisine, including meat, milk, eggs, bread, butter, jam, pickles, potatoes, onions, and cabbage. In winter, there are few varieties of vegetables and fruits, and they are expensive. Chinese cuisine is deeply loved, and there are Chinese restaurants in major tourist cities in Russia. Russians usually have meals 3 to 4 times a day. In addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, after lunch, there is a meal of tea or milk and various pastries.

Russia generally does not eat foods such as squid, jellyfish, and fungus; Some people are not interested in shrimp and eggs, and the Tatars in the area avoid eating pork, donkey meat, and donkey meat.

Typical Russian dishes: caviar, red cabbage soup, braised beef, butter stewed chicken, etc.

4、 Funeral customs

Modern funerals consist of four parts: bidding farewell to the body, delivering the coffin, memorial service, and burial. Most urbanites are cremated, while rural people are buried in the ground. After bidding farewell to the body, people decorate wreaths or flowers around the coffin. The wreaths are woven from branches of pine, fir, and cypress trees, and chrysanthemums and daffodils are always placed in even numbers. Never use fragrant flowers such as roses, lilies, etc. The guardian must wear a black veil and stand on both sides of the coffin. The color of coffins also has its own rules, with red and black borders for elderly coffins, white and black borders for middle-aged coffins, and pink and black borders for children's coffins. The coffin is directly sent to the site of the memorial service. If the memorial service is held in a cemetery, the coffin is sent to the cemetery. Relatives and friends stand by the tomb, read the eulogy, and then bid farewell to the deceased. The coffin is buried. Then flowers and soil were thrown into the tomb, and the entire funeral came to an end.

5、 Taboo

Russians avoid the number 13 and prefer the number 7, believing that it symbolizes happiness and success. I also like to use odd numbers when giving gifts, as even numbers are considered unlucky. Russians are world-renowned for their good drinking habits, with the vast majority of men and some women preferring to drink strong spirits, and vodka being particularly popular. When toasting and drinking, use your right hand. The first glass of wine often needs to be consumed completely, but it is generally not recommended to drink, but rather to follow one's own preferences. When chewing food, keep your mouth closed and do not chew loudly. When visiting, don't be earlier than the scheduled time. It's better to be on time or slightly later. Do not sit on the bed when entering the room, it is very impolite. Men need to obtain the consent of women when smoking. When handing over cigarettes, they should hand over a whole box, not just one cigarette, and not light three cigarettes with one match. Mirrors are sacred objects that cannot be broken. Russians don't like black cats. When encountering acquaintances, do not extend your left hand to shake hands and greet them. It is best not to shake hands across the threshold when meeting or saying goodbye. Celebrating a birthday in advance is unlucky, and it is also not advisable to congratulate pregnant women on giving birth in advance. It is not advisable to give gifts to pregnant women and babies in advance. When giving gifts to friends, it is best not to give knives, handkerchiefs, or empty wallets.

If you are late for going to the theater or cinema and others are already seated, do not push your butt towards them, but apologize to them. If you want to pick up something from the ground, don't lower your head and lift your hips to pick it up. Instead, squat down first and then reach out your hands to pick it up, otherwise it's not very elegant. Don't be an unwelcome guest, don't refuse to dance, and don't point your fingers at the other person. Women must wear headscarves and men must take off their hats to enter Eastern Orthodox churches. Russians believe that the age of 40 represents half of the journey of life, and this birthday should be celebrated quietly without making it too lively, otherwise it will be detrimental to the rest of life. At most, celebrate at home and do not invite guests to participate.

Communications Power

MTS, MegaFon, VimpelCom (Beeline) are the three major telecommunications operators in Russia, with mobile standards of 2G-GSM, 3G-WCDMA, and 4G-TD-WCDMA.

The plug in Russia is a two-phase cylindrical shape, generally divided into two types: thicker and thinner (the thickness of the cylinder). Can come with a built-in converter. The standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz. The international area code for Russia is 007.

After applying for international roaming services with Chinese mobile phone numbers, they can be used normally within Russia. The method for making domestic calls is: 0086+mobile phone number/landline number. Please consult the domestic service hall for call and internet tariff information. It is recommended to purchase local mobile phone cards in Russia, as the fees are relatively cheap.

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