Ever thought about visiting the infamous Chernobyl Exclusion Zone? If so, here are ten things you should know before going on such a trip.
1. It’s safe
In terms of exposure to radiation, a visit to Chernobyl can be compared to spending a few hours in an aeroplane. The area still does have ‘hot spots’ and areas with increased levels of radiation, but as long as you avoid these well-known ‘hot’ areas and are only planning to enter the zone for several days at most, it is highly unlikely that you will be exposed to any significant increase in radiation.
2. The place attracts stalkers…
But not in the typical sense of the word! ‘Stalkers’ is the term used to describe Chernobyl enthusiasts who visit the zone illegally (without a tour guide) and spend a longer chunk of time exploring the exclusion zone. Unless you are actively looking for them, it’s unlikely that you will see these people as they are extremely skilled at hiding from guards and police. However, even if you don’t see them, they are almost certainly around…
3. People still work there
Around 7000 people continue to work at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant! Some commute to and from work (staying in the zone for a maximum of 14 days at a time) and others have resettled inside the exclusion zone.
These employees work each day to decommission the ruins of the power plant, to manage ongoing decontamination and just to manage the exclusion zone in general.
4. The abandoned town is called Pripyat, not Chernobyl
When people imagine the abandoned buildings in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, many people have no idea that the closest town to the nuclear reactor is called Pripyat – and this is where all of the most interesting abandoned buildings remain.
5. Entering buildings is illegal
But everyone does it anyway! These laws exist to protect visitors from hurting themselves inside buildings which are continuously becoming less and less structurally sound – but the most interesting stuff to see inside the exclusion zone is inside these buildings.
Basically, keep your eyes peeled for guards, stay quiet, stay low and pay particularly close attention if you plan to enter the old hospital. It is illegal to enter all buildings, but the hospital is one that you definitely don’t want to be caught in.
6. You shouldn’t consume anything that has been in contact with the ground
Including plants! The likelihood of ingesting radioactive particles just from breathing the air is almost non-existent, but radioactive particles still remain in the earth and as such, if you were to eat something that has been in contact with the ground, the chance of exposure to radiation will increase significantly.
7. There are no mutants
Sure, the idea that radioactively mutated humans exist in the exclusion zone makes a good premise for a horror film, but that’s it. You won’t find mutants in the zone, just people.
8. The only place to eat is the workers canteen
There are no stores or restaurants (obviously) so if you want to eat, you go to the canteen. The service here is very ‘soviet-style’ – you pick up a tray and get whatever the lunch ladies give you. Don’t try to refuse anything, in the end it will end up on your tray anyway.
If you are an exceptionally hungry person (or if you are an exceptionally fussy eater) it would be a good idea to pack a stash of snacks.
9. You’ll need your passport
Security is very tight at the entrance to the exclusion zone, and if you enter the zone legally (with a tour guide) the guards that man the border will have received a manifest of everyone expected to enter the zone. They will check your passport closely before allowing you through, and don’t try and bring any other form of photo ID – it is your passport or nothing.
10. Don’t place any valuables on the ground
As mentioned above, the only real risk of exposure to radiation is exposure through contaminated earth. Placing objects (especially things like cameras) onto the ground could in theory cause them to become contaminated. It is extremely unlikely that this would occur, however, upon leaving the zone, you and your belongings will be scanned in special machines to check the level of exposure.
If one of your possessions does in fact show increased levels of radiation contamination, you will not be allowed to keep it – so best to play it safe!
stalkers as in the tarkovsky film?
No, not as in Brothers Strugatzky book and Tarkovsky film. But there are people around who go into “hot spot” areas either to collect artifacts or to gather wild berries and plants. In 1995, i was warned not to buy over-sized wild strawberries from people standing along the road from Odessa to Kiev. I saw those berries, the size of large peaches, obviously picked around Chernobyl.
ok
But that is an incredible film anyway
It certainly is
have you been to fukushima as well?
No I have not, but I will be returning to Japan early next year, so a visit there may well be on the agenda.
Very interesting hints about Chernobyl. Obviously a big thing for us Poles with all the paranoia developing here once the catastrophe took place.
Yes I totally understand that. Have you ever visited Ukraine?
Only Lviv so far…
How was it?
The city is very much like Krakow so I felt at home. We share quite some history, good and bad both.
I think I would like to visit there one day – and Poland of course!
Great info!!
All good pointers, and they would make for a safer, if less “exciting”, sojourn.
If ‘less exciting’ means no radiation poisoning, then I will be happy to go that route!
I didn’t know so many things you wrote about Chernobyl, thanks for sharing, the text and the photos really takes you there!
Thank you so much, I am glad you enjoyed reading this piece 🙂
If you go there with a tour guide how is it then possible to go inside the buildings without anyone knowing?
You just need to luck out and find a tour guide that is happy to turn a blind eye 😉 then it is just the guards you have to worry about.
Wow I never even knew this place existed great tips hun
http://sheismelrose.net/
Wow I never know that you can actually go in there :O Great post!
Thank you! It is such an unforgettable place to visit.
Great information. I clearly remember when this happened.
If nothing should be placed on the ground are special shoe covers provided?
Sorry – nothing metal! Metal objects are apparently more easily subject to contamination.
I was going to ask the same thing about the shoes!!!
Great post. Scary and neat all at the same time!
Sorry I should have clarified – nothing metal! Metal objects are apparently more easily subject to contamination.
Absolutely love this! Such an informative post. xx
I would love to visit Chernobyl!
When did you go there?
I was there in February.
Oh, just recently! I remember the weather there in February… Not the best memory, I am afraid.
Raining? I was lucky and only had a little rain – it was mostly still snowy.
Wet snow turning into slush, freezing on the ground overnight, nobody cleaning the streets, and me on a motorcycle – not a pleasant combination.
Yikes, yeah that would have been a little bit concerning!
LOL A little bit!
Hahaha an understatement then?
Considering that I rode up to Kiev from Zhitomir (80 km) almost every other weekend for two years, in any weather, yeah…
I love this dog by the way…..
Omg isn’t he the cutest guy ever?
totally
yep
Your post makes me want to go there. Super cool.
Then I have succeeded! I hope you do go 🙂
So what do you do with your shoes? (it looks like a couple others also asked this..)
Sorry I should have clarified – nothing metal! Metal objects are apparently more easily subject to contamination.
Wow, what an awesome experience! Got say, I’m very jealous…
Any plans to visit Ukraine in the near future?
I’m visiting Scotland Sep. 2018, but that is the soonest I will be visiting any European Country
Very interesting to read about Chernobyl. I’m from Ukraine but didn’t visit this place yet.
Any plans to do so?
Yes, now I’m thinking about it.
So interesting! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing! I am going traveling in summer throughout Europe to collect soil samples to assess the long standing impact of the disaster so this was definitely a good read 🙂
Your story and the photos are amazing! I am planning a trip there in May / June next year so this is all great info. I am a photographer so the idea of entering the building is top on my list haha. If one is caught what advice to you have to hopefully avoid arrest? If any. Personally, I have been to 24 countries besides my own (USA) I am afraid my finances will prevent me from achieving your goal of visiting all 195 countries in the world 🙂
I know this is a long shot but I would love to know who you would recommend as a guide.
Thank you again and I love your work!
Your story and the photos are amazing! I am planning a trip there in May / June next year so this is all great info. I am a photographer so the idea of entering the building is top on my list haha. If one is caught what advice to you have to hopefully avoid arrest? If any. Personally, I have been to 24 countries besides my own (USA) I am afraid my finances will prevent me from achieving your goal of visiting all 195 countries in the world 🙂
I know this is a long shot but I would love to know who you would recommend as a guide.
Thank you again and I love your work!