Chinese tourists are quite common on the streets of central St. Petersburg. We’d love to know what interests Chinese tourists in St. Petersburg, but there’s a problem: none of the administrators on this website speak Chinese. So, we asked AI for advice. Here’s what it told us (with our corrections).
Judging by comments on social media and forums, Chinese tourists in St. Petersburg have created their own “must-visit” list. It seems Chinese tourists are most interested in “Imperial St. Petersburg,” its beautiful palaces and sites. Chinese tourists are also interested in where to eat authentic Chinese food in St. Petersburg.
Here are the top places Chinese travelers recommend to each other:
Imperial palaces and parks. These are a must-see in St. Petersburg. They are the city’s calling card, without which no trip is complete.
The Catherine Palace in Pushkin. The main attraction here is the famous Amber Room. Be prepared for lines at the entrance to the palace.
Peterhof. The Grand Cascade of Fountains makes a lasting impression on all tourists – the abundance of gold and flowing water is always beautiful. Strolling along the park’s shady alleys also sets the mood. The park offers many spots for beautiful photographs.
Pavlovsk Palace and Pavlovsk Park. This place is recommended for a relaxing stroll.
Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. It’s hard to believe, but AI believes this place is very popular with Chinese tourists due to its connection with the poet Alexander Pushkin, who is supposedly well known in China (his name sounds like “Pu Xijin”).
Rivers and Canals. A boat ride along the rivers and canals is a must. It’s recommended to do this both during the day and in the evening – the experience will be completely different. A reminder: the White Nights season in St. Petersburg runs from approximately late May to mid-July.
Russian Museum. Unlike the Hermitage, which can be too large, Chinese visitors recommend the Russian Museum for experiencing authentic Russian art, especially for older visitors. (In my personal opinion, the Russian Museum is much more interesting than the Hermitage for those interested in painting.)
The Arctic and Antarctic Museum. This is truly unexpected, but on Chinese social media (for example, on WeChat), this place is being discussed as very unusual and memorable. Maybe you have enough time to fly to northern Russia? Teriberka, the Solovetsky Islands. There’s also the opportunity to take an icebreaker trip from Murmansk to the North Pole. (If you’re lucky, you can see the Northern Lights in winter.)
“Chinese Petersburg”: Where to eat and spend your free time. There are places in St. Petersburg where Chinese tourists can feel at home and eat familiar food. We don’t have the information and can’t offer advice.
The AI suggests visiting Chinatown at 174 Ligovsky Prospekt.