Khimki

Khimki (Химки) is a mid-sized city in North Moscow Oblast, adjacent to Moscow, with a prominent historical role in the Soviet aerospace industry, some very large upscale shopping malls, and fast-growing residential districts for Muscovite commuters.

Understand
Khimki is part of the Moscow conurbation, on the banks of the Moscow channel and the Klyazma river, and one of the highest density rate in the region.

Before the city, there were several noble lands, which villages are still exist. During the late 19th century, the site of Khimki station became (and remains) the place of Muscovite dachas. Khimki was granted city status, and the Stariye Khimki development was completed. Since then, development programs have turned the countryside into an important city in the region.

Today, Khimki is not only a residential district, but also an important economic and trade center of the Moscow conurbation.

Districts

 * Stariye Khimki. The main part of the city with Stalinist architecture.
 * Khimki forest area. The quiet and remarkable side with classic Russian country houses and dachas.
 * Noviye Khimki. The residential district. Not the destination to explore.

Get in
Since Khimki is close to Moscow, has very high population density and a lot of development projects, the city is under blockade by Moscow to protect the capital's transport infrastructure from the flood of people and vehicles migrating in and out every day. There are no ways of comfortable and fast way to get the city.

By car
Khimki is accessible by car via Leningradsky Hwy from Moscow. The part of this highway from Moscow till end of Khimki city limits is the busiest road in Russia.

By public transport
By suburban train from Leningradskii station to Khimki station or Levoberegnaya platform (a district on the left bank of Moscow channel).

A lot of buses and marshrutkas run from Rechnoy Vokzal metro station, at the north end of the Green Line. You can also reach Khimki by marshrutka, bus or trolleybus from Planernaya metro station.



Get around
The most comfortable way to explore the city is to bike or take a car.

Architecture
Stariye Khimki is a great example of Stalinist architecture of the 1930s. There are several buildings on ulitsa Moskovskaya.

Buy

 * Levsha Flea Market, Saturdays and Sundays 06:00-20:00.