Ulan-Ude – the heart of the Baikal region

There are many beautiful cities in the world, and, perhaps, at first glance, Ulan-Ude is not much different from its Siberian counterparts, but do not jump to conclusions, let me introduce a few weighty reasons why our sunny Ulan-Ude is worthy of your attention. Here we go.

 

One of the reasons is that Ulan-Ude is not just a city, but the heart of the unique Baikal region and the Buryat Republic, located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern civilizations. This is why we call our city the “Eastern Gate of Russia”. It is here, 5500 km from Moscow, 250 km from the border with Mongolia, and 3,500 from the Pacific Ocean, you will find no-no provincial town in the Siberian hinterland, but a cultural, educational, commercial and industrial center, a major transport hub connecting Transbaikalia with the Far East, Mongolia, China, the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Feel the breath of three centuries of history. This is a lot or not enough for us to judge, because our city has passed an unusual way, look, and now in front of us on the high rocky bank of the Uda only a small wooden house - "Udin Cossack wintering". And in a moment before us are exquisite architectural buildings of the noble merchant city of Verkhneudinsk - one of the major centers of trade on the Great Tea Route with annual fairs known far beyond Russia.

Visit the Upper Udin merchants - in the city museums, take an evening walk through the old Verkhneudinsk, appreciate the beauty of its streets.

 

But, perhaps, one of the main reasons why you should definitely visit Ulan-Ude is a unique synthesis of cultures, which is not so often found in our conflict time and the reflection of which you can find everywhere in our city. Here you will have a unique opportunity to learn the centuries-old traditions of the local population, because representatives of more than 100 nationalities peacefully coexist in the city - Buryats and Evenks, Russians and Ukrainians, Germans, Tatars, etc. Here you will meet the original culture of the Old Believers-family, this ancient branch of the Russian people with their unique song folklore, bright clothes and villages in the vicinity of the city, at every step elements of the material and spiritual heritage of the Buryat nomads and Evenki tribes.

 

And, of course, amazingly pacifying the interweaving of various religions: Orthodoxy, Buddhism, shamanism, the reflection of which are the oldest Orthodox churches in the style of the Siberian Baroque beyond the Urals; truly precious are our Buddhist monasteries - datsans, who keep millennial wisdom of the oldest of religions, but always ready to share it. In the most important Buddhist center not only in the region, but also in Russia, you can see the Ivolginsky datsan miracle, which is revered by the most skeptical of scientists - the imperishable body of Pandido Hambo Lama Itigilov. The sacred places of shamanism will not escape your gaze, the seal of which still bears our customs and traditions. All this will open an opportunity for you to join this centuries-old dialogue of cultures in our ancient and sacred land.

 

Another bright side of our city that will not leave you indifferent is our bright event life. National holidays, festivals, conferences, sports competitions, but each event has its own unique face.

 

In winter you will plunge into the traditional celebrations of the White month - Sagalgaan - the new year according to the lunar calendar. In summer, take part in the national sports festival Surharban and the international ethnic festival Altargana, where you will fully enjoy the performances of our talented sports and original folklore groups. Peace and harmony with the Universe and yourself will help you to find Buddhist Khurals – prayer and shamanic Tailagans.

 

And, of course, it is impossible to say that Ulan-Ude is not only the “Eastern Gate of Russia”, but also the gateway to travel to Lake Baikal, a site of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage, the deepest freshwater lake on the planet.