How to Shop at GUM in Moscow

During your trip to Moscow, you are sure to see the city's highlights - the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Moscow Circus, the Bolshoi Ballet ... and GUM. These sights are nothing short of spectacular, but you may be caught the most off guard when you enter GUM for your first shopping trip.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cameras
• Cameras
• Russian rubles

1. Make your visit to GUM a separate trip from Red Square, the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral, even though they are right next together. It will take most of a day to see GUM Department Store, which is actually a huge, multi-story mall encompassing over 150 stores and kiosks.

2. Plan your shopping trip to GUM for almost any day of the week you like, especially a rainy day since the shops are all indoors. Most of the shops in GUM are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. Take your time and enjoy shops selling wares from around the world. You can buy Levis, Estee Lauder and Christian Dior, but why not explore a little and find out what shops like Kristi, Steilmann's and Gallery Bosco di Ciliegi have to offer as well.

4. Look for Russia's famous confection, Krasny Oktyobr (Red October) Chocolates, at refreshment stands and Russian shops throughout GUM. Be prepared for a taste unlike American, French or English chocolates, as Red October chocolate is usually lighter in weight, darker in color and more bittersweet in taste than Western fare.

5. Take along a camera and some film as some of GUM's most outstanding features include its magnificent architecture, cast-iron railings and arched skylights.

6. Learn about the many faces of GUM before you visit, from its building and grand opening in 1893 to its closure after the Bolshevik Revolution and its role as government offices and a printing house during Stalin's time, to its second closure soon after. GUM, which is actually an acronym for the Russian words, Gosudarstvenny Universalny Magazine (or State Department Store), was remodeled and reopened in 1953 and now sees over 300,000 visitors a day.

7. Keep some Russian rubles in hand for those few stores and kiosks that accept nothing else. Most places take credit cards and travelers checks but, by carrying some Russian rubles, you can be assured you are prepared for almost anything.

Tips & Warnings

• You can easily reach GUM at any time by riding the Metro to Ploschad Revolyutsii Station or hailing a cab.
• Shop for Russian souvenirs like matroishka dolls and khokhloma (lacquered wood) products at places like the Izmailovsky Flea Market, where the prices are more reasonable than at the higher-end GUM. Bargaining is not only encouraged at flea markets, it is expected, but don't try the same tactic at GUM, as it would be considered rude.
• Arm yourself with a calculator and the latest exchange rates before you go shopping. Stores will quote you prices in rubles, so you should know how much you should be paying to avoid getting swindled.
• Never carry more than a couple of hundred rubles at a time. Travelers checks and credit cards can be replaced if your purse of wallet is stolen, but cash is gone forever.