Luna Landscape Park (Orenburg Oblast)

Luna Landscape Park is a private park built in Old Russian style in the village of Luna, Sharlyk District, Orenburg Oblast. It was created in the early 2000s by local resident Nikolai Fyodorovich Zhabin and continues to grow today. Visitors often jokingly call it "a budget Kizhi" or "Orenburg's Disneyland" for its many wooden buildings and fairy-tale atmosphere. Address: 23 Novaya Street, Luna village. Its 2GIS rating is 4.6 out of 5, based on more than 200 reviews.

What to See

The park's centre is a large man-made lake with an island in the middle. Around the lake stand log houses, mills, bridges, gazebos and even a decorative ship — all built in the style of Novgorodian Rus. Carved wooden sculptures of characters from Russian folk tales are placed throughout the grounds. The park is surrounded by greenery: spruces, pines and thujas create the feeling of a forest in the middle of the Orenburg steppe.

Animals

One of the main reasons to visit Luna Landscape Park is the chance to get close to the animals that roam freely around the grounds. It is home to a family of reindeer, elk, roe deer and peacocks. White and black swans, geese and ducks live on the lake, which is also stocked with fish. The park functions as a small farm where visitors can observe the animals up close.

Water Recreation

Visitors can rent a catamaran or a boat for a leisurely ride on the lake. The water is shallow and calm, which makes boating safe for families with children.

Café

A summer café operates on the grounds, housed inside a wooden building in old Russian style. It serves home-style food and hot drinks.

Practical Information

The park is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00. Admission costs 300–400 rubles per person (children under 3 enter free). The visit is formally limited to three hours, but in practice this is enough time to see the whole park. Payment is accepted in cash or by card.

Getting There

The park is located 170–180 km from Orenburg and 30 km from the district centre of Sharlyk. It is reachable by car on a fully paved road. On entering the village, the only direct road leads straight to the park. The parking area at the entrance is small, so it is best to arrive early on weekends. Orenburg travel agencies also offer organized trips to the park.