Russky Island

Lying off the coast of Vladivostok and reached by the record-spanning Russky Bridge, this large island combines wild Pacific scenery with military history and a modern university campus. Long closed as a fortified military zone, it retains forts and batteries of the old sea fortress amid forested hills and rocky shores. Since the 2012 summit it has hosted a sprawling federal university campus and an oceanarium. Beaches, coastal cliffs and quiet coves draw walkers and swimmers in the warmer months.