THE WIZARDS OF IZUMRUDNAYA DOLINA (EMERALD VALLEY)

The Izumrudnaya Dolina Park, just outside of Ussuriysk, is an outdoor living history museum, located on a vast 60 hectares.

The project initiators have recreated human dwellings from different eras and cultures: from the Stone Age to Cossack forts and Asian pagodas.

Here you can learn how local medieval people lived: Balhae and Jurchen, become familiar with the culture of ancient Russia, and learn about the development of Siberia. Special attention is given to Primorye's neighbors: Japan, Korea, and China.

In the park you can have a look at the work of a blacksmith and a potter, and attend themed holidays and ethnic festivals, such as "Eastern Summer."

A number of sites are still to be constructed.  A cafe and a restaurant are soon to open (but are not open yet, so take food with you) with a Zoo and an organic farm next on the agenda. But for now there is plenty for entertainment: picnic gazebos, walking trails, playgrounds, a lotus lake, a place for fishing, the Labyrinth of Love, Dragon Park, an Oriental garden, sports equipment ... something for everyone, and helpful guides so you don't get lost.

But drinking and smoking are prohibited.