For nature lovers, there is Repovesi National Park and the majestic cliffs of Olhavanvuori, the top destination for Finnish rock climbers. The Mustila Arboretum, with over one hundred types of rhododendron, offers yet more breathtaking views.

Rapids of Langinkoski and the Imperial Fishing Lodge

Water is the main natural feature in Kymenlaakso: lakes, swamps, the Kymijoki river and the sea. For peaceful forest lakes, try Kouvola and Iitti. All the lakes in the region empty into the Kymijoki river and eventually the Gulf of Finland. Kymijoki is the richest salmon river in Southern Finland. Many of its rapids still run unharnessed, making it the southernmost site in Finland for whitewater rafting and canoeing. The Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge in Kotka, built by Tsar Alexander III of Russia, is now a museum and shows how the Russian royal family spent their holidays in the 19th century. They knew what a wonderful place Kymenlaakso is.

Kotka Maretarium

Nearer the sea, Kymijoki branches out into an estuary with five main streams. Kotka Maretarium is located by the mouth of Kymijoki and is home to all fish species native to Finland, from fell streams in Lapland to the Baltic Sea.

Migration of arctic birds

The unique marine environment in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park is famous for its birds, islands, steep cliffs and military history. Millions of arctic birds cross the Gulf of Finland via Virolahti or the Ulko-Tammio and Kaunissaari islands, all of which lie along their main migration route.

Items recovered from the wreck of the Russian frigate St. Nikolai, which sank in the Naval Battle of Ruotsinsalmi

Kymijoki used to be a historical border river between Sweden and Russia and it has acted both as a divider and unifier for the Kymenlaakso region. The whole region is a treasure trove for anyone who is into military history. The Russo-Swedish Ruotsinsalmi Naval Battles in 1789 and 1790 were the heaviest fought in Northern Europe. The remnants from the battles and Finnish seafaring history in general are on display in the Maritime Centre Vellamo in Kotka.

Salpalinja bunker line

The entire region is also dotted with fortresses. The Salpalinja bunker line, a fortification running along the entire Finnish Eastern border and built during WWII to defend Finland against a possible Russian invasion was at its strongest in Kymenlaakso. This period of Finnish history comes to life at the Miehikkälä Salpa Line Museum.

Verla Mill

The history of Kymenlaakso is, however, about far more than wars and battles. The more peaceful, industrious side of human nature is also on display in places like the mediaeval stone church in Pyhtää. Or, for a glimpse of how a board mill worked in the 1960s, there's the Verla Groundwood and Board Mill as well as the surrounding industrial community in Kouvola, where you can learn more about Kymenlaakso's forestry-based industry. Verla Mill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If it's entertainment you want, then why not take a spin through Hamina? And by spin, we mean it literally. The original town plan of Hamina is circular, making it a unique experience. Hamina also hosts the world-famous military music event, Hamina Tattoo, held at the historical Bastion. For more head-spinning fun, there's the Tykkimäki amusement park, where you can be a kid again, no matter how old you are.

King's Road

Kymenlaakso is also a crossroads: the roads to St Petersburg, Helsinki and Cairo all meet here! Travel the King's Road that leads from Stockholm to St Petersburg, which is less than 300 kilometres away, an easy drive or train journey. Helsinki can be reached in less than two hours by car and even faster from Kouvola by train. And Cairo? You can find Kairo in the old City Port of Kotka, where the old seafaring days still live.

Want to know more? Go to www.kymi.fi – or even better: Come and see where Finland's nature and history meet!