The Botanical Garden of MGU is an ideal space to relax, enjoy flowers, and learn about a variety of plants from all over the world. (Photo: QUE ANH) The Botanical Garden of Moscow State University (MGU) is a familiar and hard-to-miss address of Moscow residents as well as tourists from all over the world. Recognized by the state as a cultural and historical monument of Russia since May 1973, this unique garden appeared more than three centuries ago. In 1706, by decree of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, the botanical garden “Aptekarsky Ogorod” was first planted, as a medicinal garden, where there were many species of highly medicinal plants to make many medicines. From 1805 up to now, the garden has been given to MGU to manage, is a place to conduct research and experiment with many varieties of plants, medicinal plants and thousands of flowers from all over the planet. The botanical garden covers an area of ​​about 40 hectares, divided into two parts. A small part from the past is located right on Peace Boulevard, becoming a sightseeing and relaxing place that is loved by the people of the capital and tourists. With about 5,000 species of flowers and diverse plants from all over the planet, the garden is divided into separate areas with different soil and climate conditions, such as tropical, subtropical, garden plants, rock gardens… The botanical garden is also a place frequented by many doctors, surgeons, medical students, biologists… for the purpose of research, care and protection of plants against pests and diseases. MGU Botanical Garden is also a place to protect genetic resources, breed rare plant species, with at least ten laboratories, to study the animal and plant world on earth. The plants, trees and flowers here bloom in four seasons thanks to the care, thanks to the scientific activities of the staff including professors, doctors, scientific researchers… The Botanical Garden of Moscow State University regularly organizes many activities for nature lovers. The annual Spring Flower Festival is one of the most anticipated events every year in May. It can be said that there is no other place in Russia, except the Botanical Garden, where one can simultaneously enjoy thousands of flowers in bloom, from cherry blossoms, magnolias, peonies, lilacs. incense, almonds, cherries, pears, apple blossoms, daffodils, and hundreds of thousands of species of tulips… Even rare orchids in Vietnam have also shown off their fragrance in the MGU Botanical Garden at the festival. “Tropical winter” was held here in early 2017.