St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg boasts numerous historical and cultural relics as well as beautiful natural scenery. Here's a travel guide from Shanghai to St. Petersburg: Pre-trip Preparation - Visa: E-visas are available for approximately 100-200 RMB, usually processed within 48 hours. Alternatively, group tours with visa exemptions are an option (minimum 5 people), requiring only passport registration. - Flights: Book direct flights from Shanghai to St. Petersburg 3-6 months in advance. Off-season round-trip tickets cost around 2000-3500 RMB. Watch for airline promotions to save money. - Accommodation: Recommended to stay near Nevsky Prospect for convenience. Budget options include hostels (50-150 RMB per bed/night) or budget hotels (150-300 RMB per person/night). Luxury options like Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg offer prime locations next to St. Isaac's Cathedral. - Others: Russia has a 5-hour time difference with China - adjust your schedule accordingly. Pack warm clothing as winters can be cold. Exchange some rubles and bring a power adapter. Itinerary - Day 1: Arrive in St. Petersburg. After hotel check-in, explore Nevsky Prospect to admire its grand architecture, visit former residences of famous figures like Gogol, and see Kazan Cathedral. - Day 2: Visit the Hermitage Museum, one of the world's top four museums, featuring masterpieces by da Vinci and ancient Egyptian mummies. Stroll around Palace Square in the afternoon to see the Alexander Column. - Day 3: Explore Peter and Paul Fortress, the birthplace of St. Petersburg, including Peter and Paul Cathedral. Then visit the historic cruiser Aurora. - Day 4: Visit Catherine Palace to admire its opulent interiors and beautiful gardens, especially the famous Amber Room. - Day 5: See the stunning Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood with its exquisite exterior and impressive interior frescoes. In the afternoon, climb St. Isaac's Cathedral dome for panoramic city views. - Day 6: Visit Peterhof Palace to explore the palace and its famous fountain gardens. Relax with a walk in the Summer Garden in the afternoon. - Day 7: If time permits, visit the Gulf of Finland and explore near Lakhta Center (Europe's tallest skyscraper) to enjoy sea breezes before returning to pack for departure. Food Recommendations - Chicken Kiev: Crispy baked chicken stuffed with butter and herbs. - Olivier Salad: Classic Russian salad with potatoes, carrots, ham and other ingredients. - Kvass: Traditional Russian fermented beverage with a distinctive bread-like flavor. - Caviar: Russian specialty, best enjoyed with bread. - Shchi: Hearty cabbage soup with meat, full of flavor. Important Notes - Some attractions like the Hermitage require advance online tickets - plan and book early to avoid delays. - Coat checks are mandatory in many Russian public places including museums - follow local regulations. - Use Yandex.Taxi for rides and carry appropriate ruble denominations (5000 ruble notes may be hard to break).