What struck Musk most were Moscow’s sheer scale, its well-designed urban infrastructure, and the overall sense of cleanliness. He singled out the roads and city planning in particular. He also noted something else: women and children walking safely and peacefully in the parks.

Moscow continues to reshape perceptions—even among seasoned world travelers. is a technical-minded man not prone to sentimentality. That’s what makes his impressions of the city all the more striking.