Vladivostok road trip: Ussuriysk to Land of the Leopard
A auto route in the Primorsky Territory from the southern point in the Khasansky District to the northern regions of the region. The route passes through Vladivostok, Barabash, Kraskina and Khasan, covering protected areas and coastlines of the Sea of Japan.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Vladivostok
- End
- Land of the Leopard National Park
- Stops
- 5
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Vladivostok — Major port city and capital of Primorsky Krai on the Pacific coast; departure point for the month-long road expedition.
- Ussuriysk
- Barabash — Settlement in Khasansky District with rest stop and café; gateway to protected natural areas including the Norvinskiy Ecological Tunnel.
- Kraskin — Village in Khasansky District with the last gas station before Kasan; crucial fuel stop for travelers heading to Three Borders Beach.
- Land of the Leopard National Park — National park in Khasansky District protecting habitat of the critically endangered Far Eastern leopard; home to 120–150 individuals globally.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- The best time to travel to Primorye is September and the first half of October: typhoons are over, the weather is clear, it is not hot, the sea is well warmed.
- Transport
- For safe passage along the route to the Khasansky district, a prepared SUV with reinforced suspension, off-road tires and additional light is required.
- Save money
- In the village of Kraskino, there is the last gas station before the village of Khasan. Refuel to a full tank, as there are no further gas stations for 50 km.
- Transport
- Leave Vladivostok in the evening or at night, not during the day, to avoid city traffic jams and save time the next day.
- Avoid
- The road to Khasan Beach is in poor condition: after the rains, it is washed out, it becomes difficult to pass. Reduce tire pressure before muddy areas.
- Tip
- There are no trees on Khasan Beach - there is simply nowhere to hook the winch. If stuck in mud, use low tire pressure and mud rubber.
- Avoid
- The 4.5 km long section of the beach after the pigeon cliff is controlled by the Far Eastern Marine Reserve. Travel by car may be prohibited.
- Where to stay
- There are several recreation centers on the Nazimov Spit. The Nazimov Lighthouse is a good place to spend the night overlooking the Krabbe Peninsula and the bays.
- Avoid
- Strong winds often blow on the beaches of Khasan, periodically storms carry out garbage and old North Korean schooners. Keep a close eye on the weather.
- Tip
- Lotus Lake is known for the flowering of the relict Komarov's lotus from July to September. This is an important stopping place for waterfowl on the East Asian flyway.
- Transport
- From Vladivostok to Khasan: the federal highway towards Ussuriysk is 70 km, then turn to the Razdolnaya-Khasan highway. In summer, the track is busy due to trucks and tourists.
- Tip
- In the village of Khasan, a three-sided sign was installed (1999) at the intersection of the borders of Russia, China and North Korea. A popular place for tourists to take photos.
Video on this route
TRAVEL AROUND PRIMORYE BY CAR. ONE MONTH IN A TENT ON THE ROOF. Part 1: Khasan, Krabbe, Nazimova