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Attractions

Ivolginski Datsan (the Republic of Buryatia) is a large monastic complex, the centre of Buddhism in Russia. The interiors of its temples are decorated with original works of art. The datsan is under state protection as a monument of religious architecture. There is a residence of Pandido Khambo Lama, the leader of Russia’s Buddhists, the Buddhist university where the novices (the khuvaraks) are training, and Lama’s houses. The body of Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov is stored here. According to the Buddhist teaching, he went to Nirvana in 1927. The phenomenon of his body’s imperishability still remains a mystery.


The mountain range Sunduki (“Chests”, the Republic of Khakassia) is an archaeological complex of tombs, petroglyphs and special constructions. In VIII – II centuries BC this place covering over 2000 hectares served as an astronomical observatory. Each recess in a rock ledge was a convenient place for observing a certain constellation. There is the Temple of Time upon the one of the “chests” where a sundial is situated.
The Circum-Baikal Railway (Irkutsk region) is a segment of the Trans-Siberian Railway connecting two of its sections. It was built in 1905. The railway is out of use for its intended purpose since the middle of the 20 th century, and now only an excursion train runs here. There are various monuments of engineering art and architecture, geology, mineralogy, zoology and biology. The biggest part of the Circum-Baikal Railway lies along the shore of Lake Baikal.
The Nicholas Roerich Museum (the Altai Republic, Verkhniy Uymon village) is a museum dedicated to an extraordinary painter, thinker and traveler Nicholas Roerich. The route of his Central Asian expedition passed through Altai in 1926. It was there that the artist searched for the gateway to the mythical land of Shambhala. The Nicholas Roerich Museum was founded in 1990s and situated in the house where the expedition had stayed.
Belukha Mountain (the Altai Republic) is the highest point of Siberia (4509 m), the sacred peak for Altai aboriginal inhabitants. Belukha is the centre of Eurasia; it is equidistant from four oceans. There are a lot of hiking, equestrian and mountaineering tourist trails varied in difficulty in the area of Belukha.
Ergaki (the Republic of Khakassia) is a mountain ridge in the Western Sayan Mountains. Ergaki is considered as a climatic health resort and a cult place for tourists, mountaineers, photographers, and artists. This area is popular due to numerous lakes, waterfalls, sharp peaks, and colossal rock walls.
The Volcano Valley (the Republic of Buryatia) is a unique natural monument located far away from civilization in the wild and pristine nature. Just a few thousand years ago there were eruptions; hot lava flowed through the valley. The lava stream spread for over 70 kilometers and the thickness of hardened lava was up to 150 meters. The Volcano Valley can be easily called “the lost world” because of its inaccessibility.
The mountain pass Dzhoygan (the Tuva Republic) is situated in Sayan taiga. Tuva borders Buryatia on the Dzhoygan ridge. There are about 40 healing springs, even radon ones, along the eastern slope of the Dzhoygan Valley on the Tuva side of the mountain pass. A lot of these springs have a temperature of 40° Celsius even in wintertime.
Belokurikha (Altai Krai) is a town-resort of federal significance. Favorable climatic conditions and healing thermal springs are therapeutic factors of this place. The air of Belokurikha contains twice as much curative components (light aeroions) as the air of Davos, a world famous Swiss resort. Local sanatoria offer a wide variety of revitalizing treatments.
Olkhon Island (Irkutsk region) is the largest and the only inhabited island of Lake Baikal. It is a geographical, historical and sacral centre of the lake. In Buryat myths and legends Olkhon is called a habitation of fearsome Baikal spirits. The Cape of Burkhan is also situated here. It is one of nine Asian shrines. The island’s nature is very diverse and picturesque; it’s a true sanctuary of majestic landscapes for photographers and lovers of wild nature.
The Barguzin Valley (the Republic of Buryatia). This valley is famous for its uniquely beautiful mountain ranges, as well as its numerous mineral springs. So far tourists seldom visit this valley. There are many sites that are sacred for indigenous peoples – the Buryats and the Evenks.
Chivyrkui Bay (the Republic of Buryatia) is one of the most picturesque and the least crowded bays of Lake Baikal. This bay is situated in a territory of the Trans-Baikal National Park. This is a quiet nook of Lake Baikal with picturesque coasts and warm clear water that inclines travelers to relaxation.
The Karakol Valley (the Altai Republic) is a specially protected Altai territory that has a sacral meaning for indigenous population. There are some archaeological sites of ancient cultures such as Barshadar mounds, petroglyphs, and runic letters. The Karakol Valley is a part of the ethno-natural park “Uch-Enmek” since 2001.
Tugnuy steppe (the Republic of Buryatia). According to the legends, Genghis Khan and his army passed through Tugnuy steppe. There are caves with petroglyphic drawings, ancient shamanic sanctuaries, steppe warriors’ burial places, and the Merkit fortress. The herders still lead nomadic lives here. Their way of living is unchangeable for hundreds of years.
The State National Museum (Irkutsk region, a settlement of Ust-Ordynsky). The museum exposition represents the Buryat history, culture, religion from the earliest times to the present period. The ethnographic holidays, the traditional ceremonies and rituals are arranged in the museum.
Surinda, the settlement (Evenkia, Krasnoyarsk krai). In the surroundings of the settlement you can visit reindeer herders, live in a real chum (a kind of tent), taste a local cuisine, touch the way of living staying unchangeable through many centuries. People here live in harmony with nature. This fact helps them to survive in severe conditions of the Siberian northern taiga. There are still only 16000 of people living here on the territory of more than half of million square kilometers

The sculpture “Golden Shoria” (Kemerovo oblast). This sculpture was made by the worldwide known Buryat artist D. Namdakov. It symbolizes the continuity of generations and kind-hearted welcome to the guests of Mountain Shoria. This region is a popular ski resort because of abundance of snow, a long duration of the season, and exceptional conditions for freeride.

The Trans-Baikal National Park (the Republic of Buryatia). Its area is almost 300000 hectares. It was established in 1986. Now it is one of the few fully meeting UNESCO’s recommendations national parks in Russia. In winter you can walk the trail of Baikal hunters on sporting skis and see the places where they hunted well-known Barguzin sables.
Lake Baikal (Irkutsk region). The journey on the ice of Lake Baikal can be made only from mid-February to late March. Car rides or walking tours over the abyss of the purest water more than a thousand meters in depth are possible only in winter. Traveling on the ice of Lake Baikal, you can visit stunningly beautiful places that you won’t be able to reach on foot in summer.