Things to do in Lake Baikal
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Top 10 attractions in Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is located in southern Siberia, Russia. It is a crescent-shaped rift lake with a long, curved surface, often known as the Blue Eye of Siberia. Its water is clear with extremely high transparency, and its water volume accounts for approx. one-fifth of the world's total unfrozen freshwater. It is also a habitat for many endemic species—the Baikal seal is the only freshwater seal species in the world, and the omul is a fish species endemic to the lake region. There are many islands in the lake. On the islands, you can see rock views such as Shaman Rock, or travel along the lakeshore through grasslands, sand dunes, and pine forests to enjoy the diverse landscapes. In winter, the lake surface freezes, and the thick ice contains rows of bubbles, crisscrossing cracks, and transparent blue ice, which is a fascinating natural wonder of the lake region. The Circum-Baikal Railway winds along the lakeshore. Riding a vintage train through tunnels and over bridges, with cliffs on one side and clear water on the other, is a classic way to experience the scenery of Lake Baikal.Olkhonsky District · 0m from Lake Baikal
Kazanskaya Tserkov'
The Kazan Cathedral of Our Lady is the most beautiful church in Irkutsk and even in the entire Siberia region. It is said to be second only to the Cathedral of St. Basil in Moscow and the Cathedral of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg in the whole of Russia. It is also a must-visit place for many foreign tourists to Irkutsk. The building is magnificent and the interior is gorgeous As an Orthodox church, the Kazan Cathedral of Our Lady has a typical Byzantine style, with thick red exterior walls and blue onion-like domes. It shines brightly under the bright sunshine of Siberia, like a castle in a fairy tale, with great visual impact. When you walk into the church, you will be amazed by the exquisite murals and portraits. There are dazzling icons and murals of saints and saints everywhere, which tell those distant religious stories. In the Orthodox Church, icons are called "windows of heaven." You can't see statues in the church, including the huge "Crucifixion of Jesus". The exhibition here is mainly murals and portraits. The Russian nation has been in a turbulent migration in the early days. Compared with statues, portraits are more portable. Unreal sacred world On sunny days, around 16:00 in the afternoon, the sun will shine through the windows, and the beams of light are like holy light. The interior of the church is shrouded in a bright golden color. Local believers light candles and pray here. In such an atmosphere, people's hearts can't help but calm down. Russian Patron Saint For centuries, the Kazan Mother of God has been regarded as the patron saint of the Russian people. In many cities in Russia, there are Kazan Mother of God Church. The church in front of you was built in 1885 and completed in 1892. Due to war and man-made destruction, many historical sites in Russia are the result of reconstruction, and Kazan Cathedral is no exception. The current church was rebuilt in 1993 in the same style as the original.Russia · Irkutsk
Olkhon Island
Olkhon Island, also known as Olkhon Island, is the larger island on Lake Baikal. The pure scenery and mysterious shamanism make this island a pearl on Lake Baikal. The larger village on the island is Huzhi'er Village, which is the tourist distribution area on the island and the main accommodation point for tourists on the island. Pure natural scenery The natural environment of Olkhon Island is quite well maintained. Half of the island is virgin forest and half is grassland. The pure air is very fresh, and under the refraction of the sun, it becomes a blue sky. There are also rolling grasslands, steep cliffs on the island, and flocks of seagulls flying by the lake. The magnificent sunrise and sunset and the starry sky at night are all shocking. If you come here in winter, the transparent blue ice and dreamy bubble ice will be breathtaking. The inhabitants of Olkhon Island, a famous place of shamanism, are mainly Buryat people. Colorful cloth strips tied to branches can be seen everywhere on the island, and the cloth strips are filled with wishes for blessing in Buryat and Mongolian. The shaman stone next to the village of Huer is a relatively sacred place in the shamanic beliefs. It is said that the gods of Altai live in the stone. The residents of the island will regularly hold rituals around the stone to pray for the blessing of the gods. There are also 13 pillars used by shamans to pray for blessings, and the pillars are covered with prayer flags. How to get there Starting from Irkutsk, it takes about 6 hours by car, and then cross the river by ferry, you can land on the island. Of course, in the harsh winter of Siberia, the ferry boat does not work, and you can take the island on a hovercraft. To play on Olkhon Island, Olkhon Island is mainly chartered. It is recommended to take a "one-day tour" on the island. Under the leadership of an experienced guide, you can better appreciate the charm of Olkhon Island. In summer, you can visit all the attractions on the island in one day, and you can also take a boat trip around the lake, passing sights such as the Shaman's Pillar, and then arrive at Cape Haboye, the northern end of Olkhon Island. The tour on the island in winter can be divided into two lines: the southern line and the northern line. The southern line is a line with a longer tour time along the lake, which can get close to Lake Baikal; the northern line is to run directly on the lake by car. You can also see beautiful blue ice. The best travel time is from May to September, which is the best travel time on the island. The weather at this time is cool and pleasant, suitable for summer vacation. Especially from July to August, the temperature is mostly between 20-30 ℃, which is especially suitable for traveling. This is also the peak travel season on the island. Accommodation and dining The accommodation on the island is concentrated in the village of Huzhir. One of the larger and more famous is the Nikita Manor. Here you can also book "day trips" to the island. The manor is very popular, and it is recommended to book half a year in advance. Except here. Other homestays also have their own characteristics, such as GALA is also very good. The homestays in Huer Village basically include breakfast and dinner, and there are also small restaurants in the village, which are very convenient. There is a relatively large store and several small stores in the village where you can buy basic daily necessities. The shamanic tradition of animism began in prehistoric times and has spread all over the world. The places where shamanism is more worshipped are: the Volga River Valley, the areas inhabited by the Finns, Eastern Siberia and Western Siberia. In my country, the Jurchen who founded the Jin Dynasty once also believed in shamanism. The theoretical foundation of shamanism is animism, and shamans were once believed to have the ability to control the weather, prophecy, interpret dreams, astrology, and travel to heaven.Olkhonsky District · 68.5 km from Lake Baikal
Khuzhir
Huzhir Village is the largest population gathering place on Olkhon Island. It is located in the north of the middle section of the island. The famous Shaman Rock is in the north of the village. It is also the only place to go to Lake Baikal. Generally, the accommodation on the island and Dining is concentrated here. Because of the low level of modernization, there is no network here. Tourists can come here to experience life without WIFI for a few days. Under the famous Shamanism, there is also a beautiful Orthodox church that is also worth seeing. How to play The more worth seeing in the village is the Russian country style, just hang out. Walking along the main road in the village to the end, you can see the pier. This is the shore of Lake Baikal. If you are lucky, you can see the fishing boats that have returned with their rewards, and you can also see a small Orthodox church with white walls and blue roofs. very beautiful. The Shaman Rock is in the northeast corner of the village and in the north of the pier. It is very beautiful to watch the sunrise and sunset. In summer, you can bask in the sun on the shore and watch the locals swim in the lake. In winter, the lake freezes, and all the way from the pier to the Shaman Rock is blue ice, which is very spectacular. You can take part in a local one-day tour in Khuzhir Village. There are two options: the southern route and the northern route. The southern route is a long-term route along the lake, which can get close to Lake Baikal; the northern route is a direct drive in winter. Looking at the blue ice on the lake, you can take a boat tour around the lake in summer and autumn, passing by Shaman Rocks and Shaman Pillars, and then arriving at Cape Haboye, the northern tip of Olkhon Island. Day trips need to be booked in advance at Nikita Manor. How to get to Olkhon Island The traffic is mainly chartered. In order to maintain the ecology, there is no asphalt road on the island, which is bumpy and dusty. Try to choose a "small steel cannon" specially equipped with a shock absorber system on the island. Accommodation The accommodation in the village of Huer is mainly homestays. The larger and more famous one is Nikita Manor. Some rooms can see the Shaman Rock. The location is very good, and all day trips are booked here. However, because it is too popular, it is recommended to book half a year in advance. In addition to the other homestays here, they also have their own characteristics, such as GALA is also relatively famous. The homestays here are all Russian-style cabins. Basically, every family has dogs and cats, which is very rural. B&Bs in Huer Village basically include breakfast and dinner, and there are also small restaurants in the village, which are very convenient. There is a relatively large supermarket and several small supermarkets in the shopping village, where you can buy basic daily necessities.Khuzhir · 68.8 km from Lake Baikal
130 Kvartal
The 130 Russian style area is located in the city of Irkutsk. The needs of trade and transshipment have left traditional Russian wooden houses of various ages and styles here. Today, these wooden houses have been transformed into restaurants, cafes, bars, bookstores and souvenir shops full of literary and fashionable atmosphere. They are very distinctive and are a comprehensive business district for white-collar petty bourgeois in Irkutsk. Even if you just come to take pictures Will not be disappointed.Russia · Irkutsk
Skver Im. Kirova
Kirov Square, in the center of Irkutsk, is not very large, but the environment is very elegant, with fountains, flower beds and trees everywhere. There are many famous local buildings around the square, such as: State Government Building, Duma Building, Xianjie Church, Cathedral of the Savior of Poland, Spasskaya Church, Victory Memorial Wall, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Love Bridge, etc. There are also many vendors selling tourist souvenirs in the square. On the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the square is written: "Your name is unknown, your merits are immortal". Russians have always held high respect for those war martyrs, and newlyweds must come here to swear when they get married. Tired of playing, it is quite pleasant to come to the square to rest, bask in the sun, and enjoy the performances of local artists in the square. Kirov's full name: Sergey Milonovich Kirov. He was one of the Bolshevik revolutionaries and important leaders of the Soviet Union. On December 1, 1934, Kirov was assassinated in the Smerny Palace. Using Kirov's assassination, Stalin launched the famous purge in Soviet history.Russia · Irkutsk
street Karl Marx in Irkutsk
Karl Marx Street is the central street in the old town of Irkutsk, running through almost the entire city. The streets are filled with all kinds of nostalgic or modern cafes, bars and restaurants with Chinese and Western characteristics, as well as supermarkets, cosmetics stores, jewelry stores and other large and small shops. It is very lively and is a good place to visit, shop and feel Russian style . The Lenin Square at the intersection of Karl Marx Street and Lenin Road is the traffic center of the old town and can lead to various important historical buildings. Walking along the street from south to north, you can see the monument to Alexander III, the Okhropkov Theatre, the Irkut Local History Museum, the stadium, the cinema and other buildings full of Russian style. Huan, let your shutter stop at all.Russia · Irkutsk
Yakov Pokhabov, Pamyatnik
The Monument to the Siberian Pioneers, also known as the Monument to the Founders of Irkutsk, was built to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the city of Irkutsk. The monument is made of bronze. The figure is wearing a coat and boots, standing on a high pedestal with a gun in the right hand, and a cross necklace on the neck. The beard of the figure, the hem of the coat, the gun ornaments and other details are very vividly carved. . There are two theories about the statue. One is that the person on the bronze statue of the Siberian pioneers is the Russian explorer Yagov Pohapov, the leader of the Cossacks in Irkutsk, and Irkutsk was appointed by him Established. Another way of saying that the statue is not a specific person, but the pioneers and conquerors of Siberia - Cossack soldiers. These people who were exiled to Siberia built this beautiful city in this barren, cold and harsh barren land. The monument is located on the bank of the Angara River. You can see it from Kirov Square along the Angara River and walk eastward. It is a good place to take a walk and watch the scenery. In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the statue and plated a beautiful golden light on the statue, which made people impressed.Russia · Irkutsk
Triumphal Arch Moscow Gates
The Arc de Triomphe on the Angara River, built in 1813, was built by Tsar III, which is full of European-style buildings. The Arc de Triomphe in Irkutsk is similar in appearance to the Arc de Triomphe in Moscow, but is much smaller overall. The gate is 19 meters high and 16.5 meters wide. There is a tea room in the interior. This building also has the function of looking out and observing the Angara River. This Arc de Triomphe has another name: the Moscow Gate. Back then, Irkutsk had a city wall, and people from Moscow had to enter the city from here, so it was also called the Moscow Gate. Later, the city wall was demolished, leaving only the gate. The Arc de Triomphe in front of you was rebuilt in recent years based on photos. The original gate was demolished in the 1920s.Irkutsk · 14.4 km from downtown
Irkutskiy Oblastnoy Krayevedcheskiy Muzey
Founded in 1782, the Irkutsk State Local History Museum has a long history and is one of the oldest local museums. The appearance of the museum is very beautiful. It has two large column structures like a castle. It has a strong European architectural style. The entire exterior wall is brick red, decorated with yellow window frames and door frames. very unique. Visitors can see a lot of ethnography in the museum, as well as very distinctive archaeological collections, of course, the natural collections are also tens of thousands. The museum also hosts more than 50 exhibitions every year, introducing the material and spiritual life of people in Siberia, the Far East, China, Korea and Mongolia.Russia · Irkutsk
What travellers say about Lake Baikal
YoYo_0T9A3B0LNovember 2, 2025
5.0
Lake Baikal, one of the world's largest freshwater lakes, is located in southern Siberia, Russia. Its crystal-clear waters resemble a sapphire nestled among the mountains. Lake Baikal is not only a treasure trove of biodiversity but also a popular destination for scientific research and tourism, attracting visitors and scientists from around the world.
Lake Baikal
就爱瞎溜达～February 9, 2025
5.0
Russian architectural aesthetics
This is a free attraction and no reservation is required
You can take photos, but don't take photos of people who are praying. On the one hand, it is impolite
On the other hand, some people are doing confession. Locals believe that this will make confession ineffective. Tourists can just visit quietly.
Kazanskaya Tserkov'
yccuiDecember 12, 2024
5.0
The largest island in Lake Baikal. The only downside is that it is not completely frozen yet, so there is no blue ice.
Blue sky and white clouds, sunset. Very beautiful, come on, come on, come on, it's fun
Olkhon Island
一只流浪的小野喵February 16, 2020
5.0
Everyone has a dream of going far away in their heart, so each of us is willing to travel and explore the unknown ahead. Sometimes the destination is not everything. The scenery and unexpected episodes along the way are more memorable. Sometimes what touches people's hearts is not necessarily a place, but a person, an event, or even an illusion. While the sun is shining and the breeze is not dry, go find the paths, mountains and fields that once appeared in the dream.
Khuzhir
想飞的鱼0627September 6, 2020
5.0
Irkutsk is the capital of Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. It has a history of more than 300 years. It is the largest industrial city, transportation and trade hub in Siberia, and the second largest city in East Siberia. Irkutsk is located at the southern end of Lake Baikal, the closest city to Lake Baikal, at the confluence of the Angara River and the Irkut River. Russia's largest aircraft manufacturing plant, the Irkutsk Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, is located in the city, producing Su-27, Su-30 fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, etc.
130 Kvartal
suifeng2019November 17, 2019
5.0
Kirov Square is the central square of Irkutsk, right on the green line on the tourist map, surrounded by many churches. The square is full of beautiful flowers and large lawns, making it a good place for tourists to relax and rest.
Skver Im. Kirova
M30***69September 12, 2019
5.0
Many shops were closed on New Year's Day. I walked around for most of the day but didn't buy anything. I originally wanted to go into a coffee shop, but ended up going into the wrong door and ended up at the Japanese restaurant next door. Since I was already there, I might as well make the best of it and had a Japanese meal, which turned out to be quite delicious.
street Karl Marx in Irkutsk
xxxwtzNovember 16, 2022
5.0
It's a very meaningful place, full of emotion, and worth a visit.
Yakov Pokhabov, Pamyatnik
可爱多1904April 19, 2022
5.0
The Arc de Triomphe in Irkutsk is a brother of the Arc de Triomphe in France. It is smaller than the one in France and is the product of the war between Russia and France.
Triumphal Arch Moscow Gates
乖小咪April 7, 2020
5.0
The Irkutsk State Local History Museum is a professional museum that comprehensively introduces this ancient Russian city. It exhibits many specimens of local animals, some local ethnic costumes, and exhibits of living habits and customs. It is the best place to learn about this Far Eastern city and is worth visiting.
Irkutskiy Oblastnoy Krayevedcheskiy Muzey
