Ulan Ude is the capital of the Buryat Republic. The city is located not far from the Lake Baikal, the world-famous nature attraction. The city foundation began in 1666. Originally, it had the status of the important trade center, as it was located on the Tea Road. The wonderful historical district of Ulan Ude has been preserved to this day. It attracts thousands of tourists. The Old City District is quite small, so it is very pleasant to walk here.
When walking, travelers can see wonderful merchants’ mansions and wooden houses decorated with fine carvings. There are also several outstanding constructions built in the 17th century. Modern architectural masterpieces will also attract inquisitive tourists. The striking example of it is the incredibly beautiful building of the Buryat Drama Theatre.
The history and cultural heritage of Ulan Ude are unique. The city is in the list of the most important Historic Cities of Russia. In total, there are over 230 cultural objects, so the excursion program here is very eventful and diverse. In addition to architectural constructions, city monuments are interesting too. You can see fascinating sculptures in the territory of any district.
The cultural image of Ulan Ude is still developing. New architectural masterpieces regularly appear here. One of the most important events was the opening of the fountain on Theatre Square. Many people prefer admiring it after dark. When the sun sets, the fountain is decorated with spectacular artistic lights. The cultural life of the city is rich with beautiful holidays that may turn into an unforgettable adventure for travelers. Interesting national age-old holidays and noisy modern festivals are held here. Every year, interesting events are held in Buddhist monasteries. Everyone can witness some monks’ rites.
In the city surroundings, there are unique nature attractions. Nature admirers can see here the wonderful waterfall called Small Zhombolok. It is over 20 m high. Over hundreds of years, this waterfall has been a sacred object for the local people. Near the waterfall head, there is a small gazebo that has survived to this day. The waterfall is surrounded by amazing forests. The hiking route to it will turn into an unforgettable adventure.
Sable Lake is one of the biggest ponds in the region. It attracts tourists with its inimitable beauty. There are age-old forests growing along the lake shores. The shores have a spectacular view of the mountains. In a warm period, tourists can choose from dozens of hiking routes of different length.
The guests of Ulan Ude have an opportunity to visit one of the largest outdoor museums in Russia, the Ethnographic Museum of the People of Transbaikal. It occupies about 37 hectares. The museum presents over 40 architectural monuments transferred here from different parts of the region. Each of the old houses stores the collection of interesting historical and ethnographic exhibits. The museum collection includes over 11 000 artifacts. For the visitors’ convenience, the large area of the museum is divided into several themed zones.
As for religious monuments of Ulan Ude, one of the most famous is Atsagatsky Datsan (Temple) founded in 1825. It was being built without any prior official permission. The historic construction has been preserved in an excellent form to this day. It was built in accordance with national traditions. The temple has a view of picturesque natural landscapes surrounding it.
In the city, there is the interesting Geological Museum. Here, you will discover that in the surroundings of Ulan Ude deposits of rare minerals have been found. The museum is located in the beautiful historic mansion that belonged to the local wealthy merchant at one time. Here, you can see rare samples of minerals and rocks that are produced in Buryatia. Educational excursions are also held for children here.
In the beautiful pedestrian street called Buryatsky Arbat, there is the Ulan Ude History Museum. It houses the multifaceted collections of different exhibits, from historical documents and pieces of art to the natives’ personal items.
