An amazing and picturesque region in the very center of Asia, known by the historical sources of the Middle Ages under the name Bargujin-Tokum, became part of Russia in the middle of the 17th century, and since 1992 it has been officially named the Republic of Buryatia. The republic is famous for its centuries-old traditions, and the people carefully preserve the memory of their ancestors. In order to get to know this amazing land and its hardworking people closer, we will present in our review the most beautiful sights of Buryatia, as well as visit interesting places of this wonderful republic in the south of Eastern Siberia.
1
Monument to Lenin in Ulan-Ude
We begin the review with a little unusual sights, namely the monument to Lenin in the center of the Buryat capital.
A unique monument in the form of a huge head of the leader of the Soviet proletariat was inaugurated in November 1971. Today it is the largest sculptural composition of the head of Lenin in the world.
An unusual monument is associated with many urban legends and funny stories. The height of the sculpture is 7.7 m, and the leader’s head cast from bronze weighs 42 tons.
2
Opera and Ballet Theatre
The capital of Buryatia can rightfully be proud of its theater, as it is the only opera house in Eastern Siberia and the whole Far East.
The first troupe of the Buryat theater was formed in 1939, and the theater moved to a beautiful modern building in 1952. The original architecture of the theater building, made in the traditional national style, is striking, and a beautiful musical fountain functions in front of the building.
The troupe of the theater constantly tours throughout Europe and Asia, and also actively participates in various theater and opera festivals.
3
Murochinsky Datsan
Kyakhta itself is a unique attraction. Located on the Russian-Chinese border, it was considered the richest city in the Russian Empire.
The first datsan in the Transbaikal Territory was erected in this city in 1741, which became the cultural and religious center of a vast region. All the famous people who visited the religious building of Buddhism, noted the high skill of the architects who erected a magnificent temple.
Near the beautiful datsan there is a cafe Poznaya, where tourists can taste exotic dishes of Buryat national cuisine.
4
Baikal State Reserve
The unique biosphere reserve was founded in 1969, and today more than 2 thousand species of rare plants grow on its vast territory, and the animal world is represented by 49 species of mammals and 250 species of birds.
The reserve covers the beautiful mountain range Khamar-Daban, and its natural boundaries are the Mishikha and Vydrinnaya rivers, as well as the Temnik river. The highest point of protected areas is Mount Sokhor with picturesque slopes and a height of 2,316 m.
Most of the plants growing in the reserve, as well as many representatives of the fauna, are listed in the Red Book.
5
Atsagat datsan
One of the oldest religious buildings in Buryatia - a Buddhist temple in the settlement of Atsagat, which means “stone” in Buryat language, was erected in 1825.
It has an interesting history, and one of the significant events was the transfer of the temple in 1875 from the valley, where it was constantly flooded, to a new place.
It is built in the traditions of Buddhist architecture, which is based on a square, and the main entrance of the temple is oriented to the south. Llamas of the temple at all times conducted active educational work, and during the years of epidemics, the infirmary worked under the datsan.
6
Barguzin Valley
Between the Ikat and Barguzinsky mountain ranges over a distance of more than 200 km of the eastern coast of Lake Baikal, a picturesque valley stretches, where there are absolutely no roads, and the area is represented by various natural zones.
Sites of the alpine tundra smoothly turn into desert areas, and those, in turn, are harmoniously replaced by taiga thickets. There are more than 10 places in the valley where healing thermal springs beat from the earth.
In 1916, the Barguzinsky Reserve, the oldest in Russia, was founded on the territory of the valley. The place is famous for the fact that ancient legends say that on its territory is the grave of Genghis Khan.
7
Ininsky rock garden
At the crossing of the Inna River, on its right and left banks, over an area of more than 10 km², there is an amazing rock garden.
Stone boulders fanned by the winds, the diameter of some of them reaches 4 m, were on the banks of the river as a result of a landslide. Over time, the pristine geological monument was changed by economic activity, but continues to act as a geological and aesthetic value.
Among the majestic boulders, two sanctuaries of Evenki, the most ancient people of Siberia, have been preserved.
8
State Reserve "Jerginsky"
Not far from the village with the beautiful name Maisky there is an amazing reserve "Dzherginsky". The place is unique in that the three largest mountain ranges of the Baikal region meet here.
The status of the reserve was assigned in 1992, and before that it was a reserve founded in 1974. Deciduous forests predominate here, and among centuries-old trees moose, wild boars, Siberian roe deer and many other animals and birds live.
The reserve is famous for its mineral springs, beautiful alpine lakes and rivers, in which rare omul, grayling, river minnow are found.
9
Ivolginsky datsan
A Buddhist temple in the village of Verhnaya Ivolga has been the center of Buddhism in Russia for many years, and its roofs painted in various colors can be seen from afar.
The majestic monastery complex was founded in the XVIII century, but in the 30s of the XX century the Buddhist tradition was banned, and began to revive only after the Second World War.
The majestic Buddhist temple complex includes many beautiful religious buildings, and the datsan itself is recognized as a monument of history and architecture.
10
Suva Saxon Castle
The majestic, and perhaps the main attraction of the Barguzin Valley is comfortably located on the rocky slopes of the Ikat Range.
The picturesque cliffs resemble the outlines of an ancient castle with their graceful forms, which is why the Saxon Castle was nicknamed. High rock formations resemble formidable towers, and at the foot of smaller cliffs, a fortress wall formed.
Locals believe that the keepers of the mountains live in the “castle”, and in ancient times there were sanctuaries examined by Russian archaeologists.
If you want to know more about real castles, then on our site most-beauty.ru there is an interesting article with illustrations about the most beautiful castles in the world.
11
Dugan Yanzhimy
Today, the main shrine of Buddhists of Buryatia is located 50 km from the village of Barguzin. And the thing is that in 2005 miraculously appeared on the rock image of the goddess Yanzhima especially revered by Buddhists.
The height, frozen in the dance of the goddess a little more than 1 m, and found the face completely by accident. During one of the expeditions led by Lama Damba Ayushev, they stumbled upon a stone, where they saw the face of the goddess.
According to legend, Yanzhimi was a simple girl who pleased people with her soulful singing and incendiary dances, and eventually, ascending to heaven, became a princess.
12
Mount Barkhan-Uula
The sacred majestic mountain of Buryatia, 2,554 m high, is mentioned in ancient myths and legends. Locals now believe that its slopes and snow-capped peaks protect the Buddhist world from harsh northern winds.
Just below the peak lies the Teptaehei plateau, from which beautiful views of mountain ranges and valleys buried in verdure.
Until today, this is considered a sacred place for every Buddhist, and in ancient times, various rites were performed at the top and at the foot, and shamans, falling into a trance, communicated with spirits.
13
Selenginsky Monastery
During the study of the vast expanses of Siberia, clergymen followed the pioneers. It was they who founded in the XVII century a monastery near the Selengir River, which eventually became a stronghold of Orthodoxy in the Trans-Baikal Territory.
They erected it by personal order of Tsar Fedor Alekseevich, at the intersection of the Moscow highway and the roads leading to mysterious China and Mongolia.
After the advent of Soviet power, the monastery, in a beautiful river valley, was closed, and again began to function only in 2006.
14
Sretensky Convent
Another stronghold of Orthodoxy on the shores of Lake Baikal dazzles with the snow-white color of its walls, which are crowned with emerald domes.
The first church was erected at the very beginning of the XIX century, and today it is the only Orthodox women's monastery in Buryatia.
The temple, built according to the architectural traditions of the Russian North, perfectly fits into the picturesque forest landscape, and has become a real cultural and educational center.
15
Tarbagatay
If you want to touch the pristine history of Russia, you need to visit the Old Believer village of Tarbagatai, located in the picturesque Trans-Baikal Territory.
The first mention of the settlement dates back to the 18th century, and the village was repeatedly visited by famous Russian poets, writers and travelers.
The real and unique attraction of Tarbagatai is the hospitality and hospitality of its inhabitants. Each guest will be greeted with a song, fed with delicious dishes of traditional local cuisine, as well as many exciting stories and legends.
16
Buddhist complex "Many doors of happiness"
In the summer of 2004, on the initiative of the dagmo Lama L. Domshivaev, an amazing complex appeared, in the center of which stands Dasha Gama, which is translated from Tibetan as “many doors of happiness”.
A stone staircase leads from the road to the temple complex, buried in thickets of young larch trees, and the entrance is guarded by majestic and formidable stone lions.
The stupa was erected by analogy with a similar shrine of India, and consecrated in October 2004. Nearby, according to tradition, they placed a late one where you can eat buuzy - a rather popular local national dish.
17
Tunka Valley
The real pearl of the natural wealth of Buryatia, the Tunkinsky Valley is located within the Pribaikalsky Depression at an altitude of 1.5-2 thousand meters above sea level.
Only here you can meet the rarest representatives of the animal world, as well as enjoy the grandeur of mountain ranges covered with centuries-old trees.
Surround the valley, where Genghis Khan, the picturesque Sayan Mountains, once passed with his army.
In the valley itself there are many historical places and beautiful corners of pristine nature with unique mineral springs.
18
Resort Arshan
Arshan settlement within the Tunkinsky valley is a unique Balneological and mountain-climatic resort, offering its visitors a wide variety of healing services and entertainment.
The resort is located at an altitude of 893 m at the foot of the Tunkinsky Goltsy mountain range, in the place where the Kyngarga River originates. Arshan dates back to the end of the XIX century, and now on its territory there are two ultramodern and comfortable sanatoriums.
Mineral water is used for bathing, as well as for drinking. Hiking trails are laid around, one of which leads to a beautiful waterfall.
19
Sacred lakes Amut and Balan-Tamur
In the heart of the taiga of the Djerginsky Reserve, the most beautiful mirrors of cold lakes are located, which from ancient times the Evenks consider sacred.
Nobody already remembers when the tradition was established, according to which elders come to the shores of the lake every spring and ask the spirits to give the people health, prosperity and bestow a rich harvest.
Residents believe that the famous shaman Balan-Tamu lived on the shore, and in the driest years Evenks came to him, brought gifts and asked the shaman to pour rains on the ground.
At most-beauty.ru you can also find interesting material about the most beautiful lakes on the planet.
20
Cliff City Cave
On the picturesque right bank of the Chikoi River, a beautiful cave was formed many millennia ago, and it got its name due to the fact that it is located at the foot of the high mountain City Cliff.
The unusual arched entrance to the amazing cave, created by nature architect herself, is located at a level of 200 m from the surface of the river, and next to the cave there are two slightly smaller ones. A mountain with a cave appeared on the map of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and got its name because of the Cossack patrol on it.
On the walls, ceiling and arches at the entrance to the cave were discovered cave paintings made by red ocher by ancient artists of the Bronze Age.
As you can see, various types of attractions are represented in Buryatia, from the most beautiful nature reserves to unique man-made architectural monuments. The most beautiful sights of Buryatia are rightfully considered a national treasure not only of the republic, but also of Russia, and have long become the pride of the Buryat people.
In conclusion, we note that the Buryat region, comfortably spread along the eastern coast of Lake Baikal, has a huge tourist and recreational potential, and you just need to use this wealth wisely.
Article author: Valery Skiba