Astrakhan, Russia | Unveiling a Hidden Gem

| Unveiling a Hidden Gem. Hey everyone, today I want to share with you a super niche but super interesting city - Astrakhan, Russia! I stumbled upon this place by chance during my travels. I had never heard of it before, and the name sounds a bit Mongolian, doesn't it? After some research, I found out that, indeed, the Golden Horde once ruled here, and it's the last major city the Volga River flows through. Pretty cool, huh?👍 With a population of about 500,000, it's considered a large city in Russia, a country known for its vastness and sparse population. The city even has its own Kremlin, which is quite impressive in scale. The earliest records of Astrakhan date back to the 13th century, when it was known as Xacitarxan, the autumn residence of the Golden Horde. It was also an important commercial center on the trade route from Persia and India to the Russian principalities and Europe, holding a significant place in history. In 1558, Ivan IV's army effortlessly captured Astrakhan and incorporated it into the Tsardom of Russia. To better defend against constant harassment from neighboring countries, the Tsar ordered the city to be relocated downstream to the opposite bank. Between 1582 and 1589, the first Kremlin built of white stone in the lower Volga region was constructed at the new site, establishing Astrakhan as Russia's southern outpost. There are so many other surprising things about this place! A whopping 70% of the world's black sturgeon caviar, which we all adore, is produced here. It's a caviar lover's paradise!😍 And guess what? They also have the world's longest and largest watermelons here, and they even have a super fun Watermelon Festival every August. Unfortunately, I missed it as I visited during the wrong season. I didn't even see a single watermelon rind on the streets. Such a shame!😭 But it's still an angler's paradise, teeming with sturgeon, beluga, and all sorts of fish. I'm already thinking that when I get older, I want to be like the locals here, with my little fishing rod, riding my beloved scooter, and enjoying the leisurely fishing life here~ If you're also interested in this niche city, rich in history and unique charm, maybe you could find a reliable local travel agency to arrange an in-depth tour.🧐