Izhevsk[1] (Russian: Иже́вск ee-ZHEHFSK) is a the capital and principal city of Udmurtia. Very few tourists make it to this city, but is an interesting destination for anyone interested in the Udmurt people or, for that matter, the world's most popular assault rifle, the AK-47 Kalashnikov. Izhevsk is a big industrial city (700,000 residents) most famous for its armaments factories. For its military importance, Izhevsk was a closed city to all foreigners until after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is not the most attractive city, but there is exotic food to eat, Udmurt folk dances to watch, and friendly locals who probably have never met anyone from your country!
Udmurt State University [2] has Russian language programs for interested students. It is also possible to get a teaching position in a Russian grammar school through Svezhy Veter. [3]
Central Hotel, 223 Pushkinskaya St, ☎ +7 3412 434090. Has a billiards roomedit
Hotel Telekom, 36 Dzerzhinskogo St., ☎ +7 3412 445208 (fax: +7 3412 445204). Has a gym, swimming pool, games room, and internet cafeedit
Park Hotel, Yakshur-Bodinsky Highway (5km outside the city center), ☎ +7 3412 593759 (fax: +7 3412 599475). Located in a wooded park, has a restaurant, sauna, swimming pool, gym, and tennis courtsedit
Hotel Okolitsa, 23a Zhivsovhoz Izhevsk, ☎ +7 3412 710183. Business traveler-friendly hoteledit