'''Kholmsk''' (Russian: _V___|_}___{, Japanese: Maoka (_^__)) is a port-town in Sakhalin Oblast facing the Tartar Strait, with a population of some 35.000 people. An utterly drab city, the only reason to visit here, is the ferry connection to the mainland.

Get in

Sakhalin is a special designated border region, movement of foreigners is limited. See "Disembarkation procedures" at right.

By Ferry

There is a daily overnight car ferry from Vanino on the mainland, departing Vanino at noon, and arriving in Kholmsk the next morning, however sailing schedules are often plagued by bad weather. In Vanino tickets are bought inside the train station, in Kholmsk tickets sales are at the ferry terminal, located in the center of town. Prices starts from 600 RUB. The Ferry is operated by SASCO[http://www.sasco.org/index.php?content=services&lang=en&route=sakhalin] From and to Vanino, there are a daily train connection to Komsomolsk-on-Amur that continues further south to Khabarovsk and Vladivostok for access to the Trans-Siberian mainline.

By Bus

Mini.- and regular busses depart for Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on the parking lot, right outside the ferry terminal. Minibuses are the most convenient and takes 45 minutes to connect with Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (300 RUB), however normally you will have to wait for the minibus to fill up. There are also some scheduled public buses:

  • '''Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk''' - Bus '''516''' - 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00 (5, 7)
  • '''Nevelsk''' (Moneron) - Bus '''525''' - 9:40, 11:30, 12:40, 15:30, 18:10
  • Get around

    Banks, busses and places to eat - are all only a few minuttes walk from the ferry station, along the main street. As with most other minor cities in Russia, intracity transportation are mainly provided by a fairly disorganised network of minibusses. If you need to get outside the city center, your best bet is to ask a local.

    See

    Eat

    There is a few, mostly uninspiring - but as authentic as they come - restaurants and cafes along the main drag; Sovetskaya Street.
  • Kushiro restaurant. K_____y____. 6 Sovetskaya st.. 7 (42433) 66540.
  • Mermaid Cafe. {_p___u _Q_____p_|_____{_p. 9 Sovetskaya st.. 7 (42433) 66470.
  • Restaurant Kholmsk. V___|_}___{ ___u_________p_~. 0 Sovetskaya st.. 7 (42433) 50830.

    Drink

    There does not seem to be expats living in Kholmsk, and tourists in this area are extremely hard to come by. If you really need a drink, jump into a local pub, and enjoy the startled look on everyones faces as you place your order.

    Sleep

  • Hotel Kholmsk. C_______y_~_y___p _V___|_}___{. 0 Sovetskaya Street. 7 (42433) 52854. nterturizm@bk.ru. ingles from 2900 RUB. Near the ferry terminal, this is the place to crash if you have to wait out for the ferry. Has a pub with food and drinks, and can help with train tickets from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

  • Moneron - Go diving or bird watching on the tranquil island of Moneron of Sakhalins south-western coast. Access is by chartered boat, from the small village from Nevelsk some 50 kilometres south of Kholmsk.