A Metro Ride Through Moscow's Heritage and Culture

Russia today stands as a formidable global power, renowned particularly for its leadership in nuclear technology — a field it has developed over more than eight decades and one that continues to anchor its scientific and industrial progress.

Yet beyond its technological prowess and military strength, Russia remains deeply rooted in its Soviet past. Cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg still carry the visual imprint of the former Soviet Union, where architecture, urban design and public spaces reflect a legacy shaped by ideology, ambition and time.

Much like former British colonies that have preserved colonial-era structures rich with history and character, Moscow presents visitors with a powerful visual narrative of its past. Soviet-era buildings stand shoulder-to-shoulder with contemporary developments, creating a cityscape defined by contrasts — old and new, monumental and modern — all layered across decades of political and social transformation.

I had the opportunity to witness this firsthand during a visit to Moscow at the invitation of Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, to cover World Atomic Week 2025, held from Sept 25 to 28.

The writer (left) together with international journalists and Rosatom's officer during World Atomic Week 2025 in September (Pix by SOON LI WEI)

Russia had never sat high on my list of must-see destinations. The complexities of obtaining a tourist visa were one reason. Another was the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has inevitably reshaped the country’s relationship with the world — including tighter restrictions on several Western social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Before this journey, my perception of Moscow was largely framed by the Malaysian experience of it as a study destination — particularly for students pursuing medicine or aerospace engineering.

But the visit shifted that perspective. Beyond its reputation as an educational hub, Moscow has emerged as a city steeped in history, its Soviet-era architecture both commanding and intricate, each structure echoing the stories of a bygone era.

From imposing government institutions to vast residential blocks and the city’s iconic metro stations, Moscow’s built landscape remains a living museum of the Soviet period. This heritage continues to inform the character of modern Russia even as the nation forges ahead in science, technology and global engagement.

PLANNING AHEAD

Even before departing for Moscow, one of the first things on my mind was the desire to experience the daily rhythm of city life through its public transportation system.

Whenever I plan a backpacking trip abroad, my first step is usually to study the public transport network using Google Maps and navigation apps such as Maper, which help me understand routes, schedules and fares.

This trip, however, offered a slightly different experience. Due to restrictions on several Western social media platforms, Russia has developed its own ecosystem of homegrown applications. Among them is Yandex Maps, which has largely replaced Google Maps —and it proved invaluable throughout my stay in Moscow.

The announcements delivered in both Russian and English inside the metro from Belorusskaya to Kievskaya Metro Station (Pix by SOON LI WEI)

What particularly excited me about travelling via the metro was the unique architecture and interior design of each station, many of which reflect distinct historical themes. Most of the stations are also built deep underground and feature exceptionally long, steep escalators — adding to the sense of awe for first-time visitors.

Despite a packed schedule covering the five-day World Atomic Week 2025 at the VDNH exhibition centre, I used every free moment to explore Moscow independently through its metro system — widely regarded as one of the most efficient in the world.

Upon arriving at Sheremetyevo Alexander S. Pushkin International Airport at around 8 pm local time on Sept 24, I chose to take public transportation to my hotel, the Ibis Moscow Kievskaya, about 33 kilometres away — even though complimentary taxi services were provided by the event organiser.

“Okay, please be safe and update us when you arrive at the hotel,” said Daria Ziusko, Rosatom’s communications manager and our media coordinator for the five-day programme.

Daria assured me that Moscow is generally safe at night, with public transportation operating until 1 am and many residents still commuting home from work late in the evening.

According to Yandex Maps, my route required taking the Aeroexpress train from the airport to Belorusskaya station, and then transferring to Metro Line 5 to reach Kievskaya station, where my hotel was located. The total journey took around two and a half hours.

A one-way Aeroexpress ticket cost 700 rubles (RM35.46), while the metro fare was 80 rubles (RM4.05). I purchased my tickets at the counter, though communication was a challenge as most locals spoke only Russian.

Thankfully, the Yandex app helped me navigate the city — and even served as a bridge in communicating with locals, especially since most station signboards are displayed only in Russian.

STUNNED BY THE ARCHITECTURE

In Moscow, some of the city’s most breathtaking architecture lies many metres below ground.

With vaulted ceilings, marble floors and intricate mosaics depicting Vladimir Lenin, Red Army soldiers and scenes from Soviet life, the Moscow Metro stands as a crown jewel of Soviet-era architecture.

Opened in 1935 during the rule of Joseph Stalin, the metro was envisioned not merely as a transport system, but as a network of ‘palaces for the people’, built to symbolise the strength, pride and ideals of the Soviet state.

Although the idea of a subway first emerged during the era of the Russian Tsars, serious construction only began under Stalin’s leadership.

The portrait of Vladimir Lenin, the first head of government of Soviet Russia, in mosaic can be seen at the end of the Kievskaya Metro Station's hall. (Pix by SOON LI WEI)

According to the Moscow Metro Museum, the network today comprises 302 stations over 472 kilometres of track, with more than 120 stations added since 2010. It carries millions of passengers daily, ranking as the eighth-largest metro system in the world, with trains arriving as frequently as every 90 seconds during peak hours.

My journey from the airport to Belorusskaya Railway Station — one of the city’s major rail hubs linking Moscow to destinations such as St Petersburg, Belarus, Kyiv and parts of Eastern Europe and the Baltic states — took about an hour.

From there, I followed the flow of commuters and walked about five minutes to the metro station, housed in a separate building adjacent to the railway complex.

It was already 10.30 pm, yet the streets were still lively. Despite carrying a large backpack and laptop, I felt surprisingly safe making my way around.

The moment I stepped into Belorusskaya Metro Station, I was struck by how beautifully preserved its architectural and artistic features were — a clear reflection of how seriously Moscow treats the preservation of its historic public infrastructure.

Passengers may encounter bronze or marble statues, Roman-style arches, stained-glass windows or decorative mosaics honouring Soviet leaders, soldiers, factory workers and farmers in each of the stations (Pix by SOON LI WEI)

According to tourist information displayed at the station, each stop along the metro line offers a distinct visual and cultural narrative. Passengers may encounter bronze or marble statues, Roman-style arches, stained-glass windows or decorative mosaics honouring Soviet leaders, soldiers, factory workers and farmers. Ornate ceiling vaults and colourful tiled floors add to the impression that each station is a gallery in its own right.

Located on the Koltsevaya (Circle) Line, Belorusskaya opened in 1938 and is named after the nearby railway station. Its design incorporates Belarusian national motifs, including 12 mosaic panels depicting life in Soviet-era Belorussia — details that make the station feel more like a museum than a transport hub.

The very first metro line in Moscow — an 11-kilometre stretch with 13 stations — opened in May 1935.

DEEP UNDERGROUND

After admiring Belorusskaya’s interior artistry, I made my way to the platform and boarded the metro to Kievskaya, six stops away.

The train was crowded, mostly with locals returning home. Even so, the atmosphere remained remarkably quiet, broken only by the steady hum of the train and station announcements delivered in both Russian and English.

Forty minutes later, I arrived at Kievskaya Metro Station, located just opposite my hotel.

The decor elements of the Kiyevskaya metro station (Pix by SOON LI WEI)

Once again, I was captivated. Kievskaya Metro Station is adorned with large, colourful mosaics depicting Soviet-era revolutionary imagery and everyday heroes, celebrating the values of work, family and community.

Lamps shaped like victory torches line the walls along the escalators, while dramatic artworks — the kind one might expect to see in a museum — portray wartime struggle and triumph.

One of my most unforgettable moments was riding the station’s incredibly long escalator — a journey that took nearly 10 minutes from platform to surface.

During the Second World War, many metro stations served as bomb shelters, and newly constructed stations incorporated wartime design motifs. This explains why so many Moscow metro stations were built deep underground.

The expansion of the metro continued after the war, with the decorative style reaching its height in the 1950s.

Most of Moscow's metro stations were built deep underground (Pix by SOON LI WEI)

METRO STATIONS REFLECT DAILY LIFE

Metro fares remain relatively affordable, costing only 80 rubbles (RM4.05) per entry — allowing travellers to move freely across the city once inside the system.

Even though transport was provided for delegates during World Atomic Week 2025, I still chose to explore Moscow by metro whenever I could, absorbing the rhythm and atmosphere of the city.

Very quickly, I realised that the metro was not simply a mode of transport — it was a destination in itself. I spent hours travelling between stations, photographing their artwork and architecture, and wishing I had more time to discover even more.

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Many travellers describe Russians as unfriendly due to language barriers — but my experience was quite the opposite.

Station staff and locals were consistently helpful, even when English was not spoken. On one occasion, when I became lost at a station without ticket machines, I approached a passer-by using a translation app. Without hesitation, he walked with me for almost 10 minutes, tapped his card to let me enter the station for free, and guided me to the correct platform.

When I tried to repay him, he refused — simply smiling and waving me forward.

I thanked him, deeply moved by his kindness. Despite the absence of shared language, the warmth extended to a stranger remains one of my most lasting memories of Moscow - a reminder that hospitality often speaks louder than words.