Sights of Buryatia amaze with their diversity and grandeur. Most of them are of natural origin, but there are those that are created by man and keep the cultural heritage of these places for future generations.
Baikal Nature Reserve
The Baikal Reserve is a state natural biosphere reserve located in the southern part of the Buryat Republic. Most of it occupies the territory of the Khamar-Daban ridge.
The Baikal Reserve was founded in 1969. And in 1986 it became one of the biosphere reserves of the World Network. It is also a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site "Lake Baikal" (1996).
The reserve with a total area of 165,724 ha consists of several zones: forested (117,214 ha), water bodies (1,552 ha), treeless highlands zone.
The territory of the reserve can be conditionally divided into two parts: small - southern and large - northern, occupying the strip of the Baikal coast and the northern side of the slope of the ridge.
The sights of the Republic of Buryatia are mostly created in order to preserve and explore the uniquenatural objects of the republic. So the Baikal Reserve was founded in order to preserve and study the natural conditions and the course of natural processes. Also an important object of study in this case is the gene pool of animals and plants, unique and typical ecosystems of the central part of the Southern Baikal region and the Khamar-Daban ridge. It is in these territories that high-mountain virgin forests are located, which have never been subjected to felling and fires.
Flora and fauna of the Baikal Reserve
Mongolian steppes and East Siberian taiga are the predominant landscapes of the reserve. The purest mountain rivers and lakes are located on its territory. Dark coniferous forests grow on the northern slopes of Khamar-Daban, dominated by cedar and fir. The forest belt is partly occupied by ordinary spruce and birch. River valleys are occupied by birch-poplar plantations.
The fauna is quite typical for the highlands of southern Siberia. The only peculiarity is the presence of bird species whose origin belongs to Central Asia. The territory of the reserve is inhabited by sable, lynx, otter, deer, red deer, roe deer, elk and bear. If we talk about the ichthyofauna, then it is represented by 18 species of animals, the main of which are taimen, grayling and lenok.
Ivolginsky Datsan
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Siberia is Buryatia. Ivolginsky district, whose sights are of great historical value, is becoming one of the most visited.
Ivolginsky datsan - the most famous datsan inBuryatia, which makes it the most frequent place of Buddhist pilgrimage not only in Russia, but also in the world. Translated from the Tibetan language in the original, it sounds like “Khambyn Sume Gandan Dashi Choynhorling”, the name means “the monastery of the Wheel of Teaching, which brings joy and absolute happiness.” The location of the residence of the head of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia, Lama Pandito Khambo, is the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga, which is located 30-40 km from Ulan-Ude.
The largest Buddhist monastery complex was erected in 1945. Numerous requests and appeals from local Buddhists gave rise to fundraising for its construction and the purchase of the necessary cult items. Soon the inconspicuous Buryat village expanded. An unusual wooden structure appeared on its territory, which was given the appearance of a datsan. And in 1951, the local authorities allocated a plot of land intended for the construction of a monastery complex. This event is significant for the entire Republic of Buryatia, since it was the places of the first buildings that became the center of a complex of elegant temples filled with shrines and secrets.
The sights of Buryatia in the Ivolginsky district are not limited to the datsan itself. You can also see the university, lamas tomb, library and museum there.
Waterfall Maly Zhom-Bolok
The amazing waterfall and bas alt canyon of the Oka (Akha) River is a very popular place for tourists who prefer to admire natural attractions.
The waterfall is located at a distance of 2 km from the mouthZhom-Bolok river. The water falls majestically from a height of 22 meters. A special charm to this place is given by the bas alt rock and an extraordinary round failure, where powerful streams of water fall. Spruces grow right in the middle of the failure, and below a small lake has formed, which flows into the Oka River. In Wintertime, the waterfall freezes completely, taking the form of a giant stalagmite.
The sights of Buryatia, including the Maly Zhom-Bolok waterfall, are perfectly suited for tourist visits. The bridge across the Oka and the freeway allow you to freely and without unnecessary inconvenience get to the waterfall.
Also, not far from these places there are two more natural monuments: the Maly Saylak canyon and the Okinsky Grotto.
Valley of volcanoes
Sights of Buryatia will interest not only lovers of beautiful natural landscapes, but also those who prefer extreme tourism.
Valley of volcanoes with a length of about 20 km attracts more and more outdoor enthusiasts. This marvelous place is located in the Eastern Sayan, at the foot of the Big Sayan ridge. The valley frozen under the lava includes nine extinct volcanoes. The largest of them are the Peretolchin and Kropotkin volcanoes. Lava flows spread down the Zhom-Bolok and Khi-Gol valleys for more than 70 km. And the thickness of the layer of solidified lava in some places reaches 155 m.
Lava fields look like chaotically rearing blackened fossilized formations with a porous structure, the height of which sometimes exceeds 2 m.sinkholes and lakes. The last volcanic eruptions were several thousand years ago, and today they are considered "sleeping".
The valley of volcanoes is surrounded by spiky ridges. In summer, the valley is covered in blue lakes and patches of greenery, while in winter it becomes a cold, harsh snowy desert.
Zabaikalsky National Park
This park is considered one of the main natural attractions of Buryatia and the hallmark of Lake Baikal. Here, the primeval nature of natural areas, the diversity of landscapes, the richness of the animal world are combined in an extraordinary way, making the Zabaikalsky National Park a truly majestic place. It is often visited by fans of amateur fishing, sports and educational tourism.
The park was founded in 1986. The main goal of its creation, of course, is to preserve the natural complex of the Baikal basin. The total area is almost 270,000 hectares, which include 37,000 hectares of Baikal water area.
Sights of Buryatia (see photo of the landscape of the park below), including the Zabaikalsky National Park, will appeal to wildlife lovers. Numerous tourist routes are laid out in such a way that there is a chance to see reindeer, bear, roe deer, sable, wolf and other representatives of the fauna.
More than 10,000 hectares of the territory of this national park are reserved for especially valuable plant communities. We are talking about fir, pine andcedar forests up to 200 years old.
Dzelinda thermal spring
This source is located 25 km from the village. Angoy, at a distance of 91 km from the city of Severobaikalsk.
The Dzelinda mineral water outlet is located in two places located at a distance of 2 km from each other. The formation of one of the outputs, located 38 km from the village. Upper Zaimka is associated with a tectonic fault in the earth's crust, as a result of which a ledge with a height of 6-8 m was formed. This source represents four beating griffins. The location of the other exit is a sand spit located on the left bank of the Upper Angara. Even in winter frosts, the water temperature does not drop below +45C.
The presence of a significant amount of silicic acid, fluorine and radon in mineral water determines its therapeutic effect in cases of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, circulatory system, various skin and gynecological diseases.
Arshan, Buryatia: attractions
Active and curious travelers will certainly find something to visit in the village of Arshan and its environs. A huge number of natural monuments and other interesting places attract more and more tourists every year. It is impossible to briefly describe the sights of Buryatia, because each of them is either an important natural site or an object of cultural heritage. In the village of Arshan you can visit the waterfalls and the Kyngara River with its marble bottom, the Mongolian market, the museumkorenoplasty "Forest Fairy Tale", "Cup of Virgins", "Peak of Love", Suburgan Spring, etc.
The Republic of Buryatia, the sights of which were discussed in this article, is certainly one of the most picturesque places in Southern Siberia.
