Kirov Oblast (Russian: Ки́ровская о́бласть KEE-ruhf-skuh-yuh OH-bluhst') is a region in the Upper Volga, bordering Nizhny Novgorod Oblast to the southwest, Kostroma Oblast to the west, Vologda Oblast to the northwest, Arkhangelsk Oblast and Komi Republic to the north, Perm Krai to the northeast, Udmurtia to the southeast, and Mari El to the south.

Cities

• 1 Kirov — the region's capital and principal city, on the Trans-Siberian Railway; it has sights to see, but is not very distinctive
• 2 Kirovo-Chepetsk — the region's only other city, besides the capital, is a small industrial city and not a tourist destination
• 3 Kotelnich — a large town on the Trans-Siberian Railway with a cathedral; a good base for any expeditions off into the Nurgush Nature Reserve
• 4 Lalsk — a small, quiet, historic town with an excellent 18th-19th century architectural heritage
• 5 Zuevka — small town with a memorial museum to the great Russian painter Viktor Vasnetsov, who was born in this area

Other destinations

• 1 Nurgush Nature Reserve

Understand

Kirov Oblast is probably about as close as you can get to a Russian version of the American "flyover state." The few sites of much interest to a tourist are in the capital, Kirov, but most Trans-Siberian Railway passengers will probably skip even that. If you ever get to the city, note that Kirov is home to traditional Dymkovo toys.

Talk

See Russian phrasebook.

Get in

Trains depart daily for Kirov from Moscow and take about 18 hours.

The Trans-Siberian Railway stops at Kotelnich, Kirov, and Zuevka (from west to east).

Pobedilovo Airport (KVX ^IATA)

Go next

The next major stops on the Trans-Siberian Railway are Galich, Kostroma Oblast to the west and Glazov, Udmurtia to the east.