Blagoveshchensk.

History

A military post called Ust-Zeysky was set up here in 1856. In 1858 it was renamed Blagoveshchensk after its parish church of the Annunciation. The town grew as a centre of trade and gold mining, boosted by a gold rush in the early 20th century. The heir to the throne, Nicholas Alexandrovich, visited in 1891, and since 1932 Blagoveshchensk has been the capital of Amur Oblast.

Culture & traditions

Blagoveshchensk is a university city, home to Amur State University, the Amur State Medical Academy, Blagoveshchensk State Pedagogical University and the Far Eastern State Agricultural University. The Grodekovo archaeological site lies 25–30 km to the southeast. Much of city life faces the river and the opposite bank, where Heihe stands.

Practical information

Ignatyevo Airport is about 20 km northwest of the centre. A branch line connects the city with the Trans-Siberian via Belogorsk, the Blagoveshchensk–Heihe road bridge was completed at the end of 2019, and there is also a river port. Local time is Moscow plus 6 hours. The climate is continental with monsoon features, with cold winters and hot, rainy summers, so late summer or early autumn is a good time to come.

What to see

• Amur–Zeya confluence — where the town began in 1856.
• View of Heihe — the Chinese city right across the Amur.
• Blagoveshchensk–Heihe Bridge — a road bridge across the Amur completed in 2019.
• Grodekovo — an archaeological site near the city.