Restrictions hurting Yabaolu

[Photo by Wang Jing/China Daily]

While Yabaolu's trade is dwindling and the market may be relocated, inhabitants say it's unlikely the area will cease being "Russiatown".

The traders may not come. But Yabaolu's legacy as a place where Russians can communicate in their language with one another and locals, and can enjoy the comforts of home, seems here to stay.

"We have our own small city," Kukharenko says.

"It's a little city for Russians in Beijing."

Crimean Alyona Kachalova says it's easy for Russians to get "stuck" in the neighborhood.

"It's a small area. Yabaolu can suck you in," the 22-year-old says.

"If you start to work here, you'll stay here all the time. For Russians, it's so comfortable to stay in Yabaolu, especially if you don't speak Chinese or English.

"Yabaolu has everything for Russians. If you go to the drugstore ... you can tell the Chinese guys what (medicine) you need in Russian and they'll get it for you. If you're Russian, the only thing you have to do when you come to Beijing is just say 'Yabaolu' and you're OK."

A Russian pilot, who'd only give his name as Oleg, says: "All the Russian pilots know Yabaolu. I come here on every trip to Beijing. I like to shop here. It's cheap."

He says he's found communication problematic elsewhere in Beijing.

"A lot of people here speak Russian so it's no problem," he says.

Shlykov explains that his workplace, the Russian restaurant Mango, is just like the other venues he worked in back home.

"This place is similar to a Ukrainian club," the performer says.

"This building is the same as those in Ukraine. I feel like Yabaolu is the same as Kiev. I feel at home. I don't miss anything here."

But there is one big difference, he says.

"Here, we all know each other," he explains.

"It's not like that back home."

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