Perm

Many pass through Perm on the Trans-Siberian Railway; however, few stay here, unless they are looking for a break from train travel. Highlights of the city include a walk along the Kama River, art museums and shows, and a visit to the nearby Gulag museum.

Perm is a large industrial city on the Kama river banks, at the western foothills of the Ural Mountain range. With a population of approximately 1 million people, Perm is the most populous city and the administrative capital of Perm Krai. Its name is derived from the same place as the "Permian" period, meaning "Far-away Land". Like Yekaterinburg, the city was founded in 1723 by Vasily Tatishchev, who was sent by Peter The Great to exploit the vast amounts of ores found in the region. From 1940 to 1957, the city was called Molotov (Мо́лотов), after Vyacheslav Molotov, the minister of foreign affairs under Stalin. The city is bifurcated by the Kama River. Perm was known as the "Gateway to the Gulag" and the horrors of the Gulags are on display at a nearby museum.

During Soviet times, Perm was a manufacturing center for artillery and weapons, some of which are on display at an outdoor museum. It was a "closed city" and was inaccessible by foreigners and most non-residents. It was "hidden" and did not appear on Soviet-made maps. Gorbachev opened the city in 1990 and Perm modernized rapidly.

Perm stretches 25 km along the Kama River; travelling the entire distance by bus or tram requires several transfers. Therefore, it can be hard to get around.

Tram and bus tickets each cost 20 руб and can only be purchased from the driver or conductor. Transfers require the purchase of a new ticket.

Public transport operates 05:30-00:30.

• 🌍 PERMM (Perm Contemporary Art Museum) (Пермский музей современного искусства), 24 Gagarina Boulevard, ☏ +7 342 2199172. 12:00-21:00. The first and the only contemporary art museum in Russia. 150 руб. 
• 🌍 Perm State Art Gallery, Komsomolsky Prospekt, 4 (the crossing of Komsomolsky Prospekt and Monastyrskaya Street), ☏ +7 342 212-2250, contact@permartmuseum.ru. Tu-W, F-Sa: 10:00-19:00; Th: 12:00-21:00; Su: 11:00-19:00; M: Closed. One of the largest museums of arts in Russia. 150 руб. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 Motovilikha open-air museum, Year 1905 Street #20 (At the intersection of Year 1905 Street & Lifanova Street, east of the city center, near the river), ☏ +7 342 260-59-76. An impressive outdoor collection of warfare made in the city's Motovilikha factories. Includes tanks, scud launchers and ballistic missiles that can be climbed upon. 
• 🌍 Diorama Museum (Музей-Диорама), Ul. Ogorodnikova 2, ☏ +7 342 267-55-82. W-Su: 10:00-18:00; M-Tu: Closed. Museum detailing the armed uprising in Motovilikha in December 1905. 
• Other places in this guide: https://dlink.maps.me/catalogue?id=84e91e30-0833-4366-a717-fd81c9c0722f&name=Perm%20holidays&ref=webeditor%5Bdead+link%5D (en)

• 🌍 Perm Opera and Ballet Theater, Petropavlovskaya st., 25a, ☏ +7 342 212-30-87. One of the oldest and famous opera and ballet theaters in Russia, offers high-standard opera and ballet events. 
• 🌍 Olympia Swimming Pool & Spa, Mira st., 41, ☏ +7 342 2567892. Clean, modern and big swimming pool (50x25m) with diving board swimming pool 75 minutes of entry: From 500 руб. 

With the city quickly developing, new shopping malls appear everywhere. Definitely worth seeing is the always crowded Central Bazaar, with uncountable kiosks and market stands, as well as huge market halls. The bazaar is located opposite the central bus station, at the very beginning of Kosmonavtov avenue. Perm also has a Chinese market, with mostly clothing being sold.

• Semya (Family) Shopping Mall, Revolution street, 13. 10:00-midnight. Includes a cinema and plenty of entertainment for children. 
• Iceberg, Popova street, 16. 10:00-21:00. 60 stores with clothing, electronics and a beauty salon. 
• Tczemlyanika (Wild Strawberry), Parkovy avenue, 17. 10:00-21:00. A large discount centre. 

There is plenty of Russian, Georgian, Azeri, and Uzbek food in Perm.

There are many cafes in the city, all of them serving food specialities. One of the most popular bars are the Coffee City chain (Кофе Сити).

• 🌍 Augustine, Komsomolskiy prospekt, 32, ☏ +7 342 212-75-04. Brewery with Bavarian food. 300-600 руб. 

Reckless drivers are probably the biggest safety threat. Pickpocketing is common in the crowded public transport and in the Central and Chinese Bazars. Occasional drunkards may be somewhat annoying but rarely pose any menace. It is wise to stay out of city parks, Balatovo Park, during the night.

Be prepared for cold weather from November to March. Despite cold temperatures outside, nearly all indoor spaces and public transportation are well heated.

• Kungur is the next stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway going eastward, 50 km from Perm, and is famous for its Ice Caves.
• Khohlovka Museum (Архитектурно-этнографический музей Хохловка), с. Хохловка, Пермский край (46km north of Perm), ☏ +7 342 299-71-81. 10:00-18:00. A museum of wooden architecture. 
• The Gulag Museum at Perm-36, village Kutchino, Tchusovskoi region (100 km northeast of Perm city), ☏ +7 919-492-5756. 10:00-17:00. Prison camp Perm-36 was closed in 1988, and later turned into the only genuine Gulag museum in Russia. There is a small cinema and a few exhibitions describing life in the high security area and in the special treament area.