Irkutsk Region and Altai Krai

Taltsy Architectural and Ethnographic Museum

The open-air museum was founded in the 1960s. "Taltsy" is a unique collection of historical, architectural, and ethnographic monuments from the 17th–20th centuries (Buryat yurts, Evenki houses, constraction of prisons, an old fortress). The exhibition features wooden structures from Siberian villages and small towns in the Irkutsk Region. Many houses were saved from flooding during the construction of the hydroelectric power station in Angara. Today the museum has over 40 buildings. Thousands of artifacts testify to the life and daily routines of the Siberian hinterland in the 17th–19th centuries. Taltsy often hosts holidays that recreate traditional rituals and customs. Workshops are also held here on pottery, smithcraft, weaving, embroidery, wood and clay painting, birch bark processing, and doll making.

Opening hours: March to October: Monday–Sunday 10:00 am–6:00 pm November to February: Monday–Sunday 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Website: talci-irkutsk.ru

Address: Coordinates: 51.995176, 104.666029

Shaman Rock

Shaman Rock is a huge cliff, which, according to the legend, marks the boundary between Lake Baikal and the Angara River. Since ancient times, Shaman Rock has been endowed with unusual power. Shamans consider it the dwelling place of the lake's spirit and still perform rituals here. According to the legend, Baikal wanted his daughter, the beautiful Angara, to marry to a young warrior named Irkut. But Angara fell in love with another hero, the Yenisei, and ran away to him. The angry father threw a huge rock after his daughter — Shaman Rock. You can reach Shaman Rock by boat or view it from the shore or neighboring cliffs.

Address: Coordinates: 51.875350, 104.821635

Baikal Museum

This is the only museum in Russia dedicated to a single lake. It is also the only place in the world with aquariums connected to the waters of a natural reservoir. This exhibition setup allows observation of Baikal's inhabitants in conditions as close to natural as possible. At the museum, you will learn how Baikal formed and why the lake is considered unique. You will see water samples collected in the 1990s from a depth of 400 meters — the water hasn't become murky at all over a couple of decades. You will also meet the lake's inhabitants: nerpa seals, fish, and mollusks. Fauna representatives live in the aquarium complex. Water is supplied from the depths of Baikal so the living creatures feel comfortable. The museum also has a laboratory where you can examine even the smallest participants of the Baikal ecosystem under microscopes.

Address: 1А Academicheskaya St., Listvyanka, Irkutsk Municipal District

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00 am–7:00 pm

Website: bm.isc.irk.ru

Fish Market in Listvyanka

One of the most popular places in the village. Here you can find Baikal fish - omul, grayling, whitefish, golomyanka, cooked in various ways. The market also offers herbal teas, pine nuts, figurines, nerpa seal toys, jewelry made from minerals, and magnets. The market also features a huge variety of ethnic souvenirs: Mongolian national clothing, ritual masks, shamanic drums, amulets, and much more.

Address: 111/1 Gorkogo St., Listvyanka, Irkutsk Municipal District

Observation deck "Stone of Chersky".

One of the most convenient points for viewing Baikal and its surroundings. The Stone of Chersky is a mountain peak 728 meters high, named after the famous geographer who made a significant contribution to the study of Baikal and Siberia as a whole. You can reach the top via the cable car of the local ski center or on foot from the viewpoint, following an asphalt serpentine road. The ascent is not very difficult, the path length is only about 2 km. The observation deck offers a mesmerizing panorama of the great Baikal.

Address: Listvyanka, Irkutsk Municipal District

Lukomorye Park-Museum

This open-air museum of living fairy tales in Savvateyevka village features over 250 original wooden sculptures. Wooden sculpture festivals are held in the park annually. Participants include not only Russian but also foreign masters. After these festivals, new charming characters settle in the forest. Also in the open air, in a fairytale pine wood, there is a ropes course: the total length of the rope trail is 350 m, height — 7–9 m. Here you can overcome 25 stages on three routes of varying difficulty. This route can be completed by adults and children aged 10 and up.

Address: 4 Klubnaya St., Savvateyevka village, Angarsky District

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00 am–7:00 pm

Website: alukomor.ru

Lower Embankment

A great place to start a walk around Irkutsk. The embankment offers a beautiful view of the fast and never-freezing Angara River. An interesting object and at the same time a city landmark is the Moscow Gates, built in honor of the 10th anniversary of Emperor Alexander I's accession to the throne. Within walking distance are the Eternal Flame, the Epiphany Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of the Savior, and a six-meter monument to Yakov Pokhabov, the founder of the city. It was he who led the Cossack detachment that founded a fort on the Angara bank in 1661, where it merges with the Irkut River.

Address: Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya St., Irkutsk

130th Quarter

This is a historic district with wooden estates in the style of the century before last, featuring a pedestrian promenade, museums, cafes, and souvenir shops. It was decided to recreate the atmosphere of the old city for its 350th anniversary. Near the 130th Quarter stands the monument to the Babr. It depicts a mythical animal that, with minor interruptions, has "lived" on the coat of arms of Irkutsk since the 17th century. This beast resembles a tiger but also has a beaver-like tail and webbed feet, and holds a sable in its teeth. The word “babr” originally means “tiger.” But due to a documentation error and phonetic similarity, it turned into "bobr" (beaver), and a mysterious beast, resembling both a beaver and a tiger and a marten, appeared on the coat of arms of Irkutsk.

Address: 25 Tretyego Iyulya St., Irkutsk

Icebreaker "Angara"

Built in 1899, it is one of the oldest surviving icebreakers in the world. In 1900, the ship arrived in Russia, where it was used to break a path through the ice of Lake Baikal. In 1990, it was placed on eternal patrol in the Irkutsk Reservoir and turned into a museum dedicated to the history of navigation on Baikal. Here you can descend into the hold and cabins, where an exhibition is presented, and walk on the deck.

Address: 36А/1 Marshal Zhukov Avenue, Irkutsk

Opening hours: September-May: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday — closed, June-August: Tuesday-Sunday 11:00 am—7:00 pm, Monday — closed

Website: ledokolangara.iokm.ru

Museum "At the Dump"

The museum of the solid waste landfill is the only museum in the world at such an enterprise. Long-forgotten items here evoke a nostalgic mood, and fearsome knights on horseback with spears create a complete feeling that you are in a medieval fortress! Guests are also greeted by famous characters from fantasy films and military equipment from the Great Patriotic War. Many locations for bright photos and selfies.

Address: 5th kilometer, Aleksandrovsky Tract, Irkutsk Municipal District

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am- 5:00 pm; Saturday-Sunday, holidays 9:00 am-8:00 pm

Manzherok

Manzherok is one of the most beautiful vacation spots in Altai. The resort is located in Ozyornoye village, Altai Republic, at the foot of Malaya Sinyukha Mountain. Nearby are Manzherok Lake and the Chuysky Tract, one of the most beautiful roads in the world. It is here, on the lake shore, that the all-season ski resort is located. In winter, people ski here, and in the warm season, they travel by bicycle, hike, take water walks on catamarans, or fish.

Address: All-Season Ski Complex "Manzherok", 30 S Zarechnaya St.

Website: манжерок.рф

Malaya Sinyukha Mountain

You can climb Malaya Sinyukha on foot or by cable car. Moving over the mountainside, you can admire the nature: waves of mountains, the twisting ribbon of the Katun River, and the lake. If you want to take a good look at the picturesque surroundings and fall even more in love with Altai, take the cable car to the top of Malaya Sinyukha.

Address: Address: Maiminsky District, Altai Republic

Website: манжерок.рф/mountains/cableways

Kamyshlinsky Waterfall

A not very high but very impressive cascading waterfall, breaking into rainbow-colored sprays at the foot of the mountain. If you want to tickle your nerves, go for a motorafting trip on the Katun River from Barangol village. You will see mountains, forests, and Kamyshlinsky Waterfall from the water, and memories of the extreme trip will stay with you for a long time.

Address: Shebalinsky District, Altai Republic

Biryuzovaya Katun

The Special Economic Zone of tourist-recreational type "Biryuzovaya Katun" is surrounded by mountains on the bank of the Katun River. Here you will find restaurants and cafes, souvenir shops and an exhibition gallery, sports grounds, the Roerich park, the Chocolate Hobbit village, an apiary with "sleeping on beehives," the archaeological park "Crossroads of Worlds," and the Tavdinsky Caves. In summer, bright and noisy music and youth festivals, folk holidays, and sports championships take place here.

Address: left bank of the Katun River, Aysky Tract

Website: www.oaokatun.ru

Tavdinsky Caves

Here, several dozen caves are connected to each other, forming a large interconnected system. At different times, they served as human dwellings. Excavations revealed pottery items and other archaeological finds from the Iron and Bronze Ages. You can continue your walk to the viewpoint with a majestic monument to Roerich and the ancient Grotto of Ihthyander. A photo stop with a view of the picturesque Katun River, tirelessly churning with its turquoise waves. Tickets are required to enter the caves.

Address: Special Economic Zone of Tourist-Recreational Type "Biryuzovaya Katun", Altai Krai

Opening hours: daily 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Roerich Park

The park opened in 2024 for the 150th anniversary of the famous artist and philosopher Nicholas Roerich. It was precisely these amazing places that in 1926 were part of the route of the Central Asian expedition led by the painter. The beauty of the region inspired the artist so much that he called it the "heart of Asia." Here, among centuries-old pines, there are several eco-trails leading to the riverbank, where a monument to the painter is located. Along the way, there are viewing gazebos; the park also has a viewpoint offering a charming view of the majestic mountains and the turquoise Katun.

Address: Coordinates: 51.775978, 85.735550

"Honey in the Ear" Apiary

Here you can buy and taste famous Altai honey, propolis, mead, honeycomb, bee bread, royal jelly, and other bee products. The impression of the day is the wellness sleep on beehives. Closing your eyes, you will feel the monotonous vibration of the bee swarm, the calming buzzing of bees, the smell of honey and honeycomb. Address: 2 Urochishche Talduvka, St., Aysky District, Altai Krai

Address: 2 Urochishche Talduvka, St., Aysky District, Altai Krai

Opening hours: summer daily 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, winter - daily 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Website: medom-v-uho.ru

Biryuksinsky Pass

Biryuksinsky Pass is located on the Seminsky Ridge, through which the road between the villages of Altayskoye and Aya passes. Its height is about 500 meters above sea level. It is named after the Biryuksa River flowing at its foot. Translated from Mongolian, this word means "river on a round sandy hill." The pass offers a beautiful view of the Altai foothills. The eastern slope of the pass is covered with mixed forests, the western one is drowning in Altai grasses: a great place for photo shoots.

Address: Seminsky Ridge, Altai District

"Altai Kholmogorye" Dendropark

A dendrological park with a rich collection of plants. Over 1,500 species of trees, shrubs, and flower garden grow here; there are plantations of medicinal herbs, based on which natural Altai cosmetics and dietary supplements are produced.

Address: 2a Zaozernaya St., Altayskoye village, Altai District, Altai Krai

Opening hours: daily 9:00 am-6:00 pm

Website: holmogorye.ru

Belokurikha Gornaya Ski Resort

The resort city Belokurikha is a place for rest, treatment, and wellness. Any tourist's journey to Belokurikha Gornaya will begin with a grand serpentine road. You can admire the incredible views from 4 observation decks that you will encounter along the entire road. "Belokurikha Gornaya" operates the "Mishina Gora" ski complex with two slopes (980 m) of medium difficulty, a snow tubing slope (240 m), and a surface lift. Here you can ski or relax in the wellness center — in the hammam, spa, Finnish sauna, or pool with a thermal complex.

Address: Mishina Gora, Smolensky District, Altai Krai

Historical and Architectural Complex "Andreevskaya Sloboda"

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of life and daily routine of 19th-century Siberia. The "Andreevskaya Sloboda" complex houses several small museums: "Herbalist's House," "Distillery," "Granary," "Hunter's House," a forge, and the "Gogol" restaurant. During the reconstruction of the interiors of the old objects, authentic items from the 19th century were used. The center of the sloboda is the house of the Andreev merchants, built in 1822.

Address: 22 Bresslavskogo St., Belokurikha, Altai Krai

Website: www.belokuriha-2.ru/tourism/19

Piket Mountain

Piket Mountain contains a group of Paleolithic-era sites and kurgan burial grounds from the 8th-10th centuries AD. It was on Piket that archaeologists managed to find an ancient boardsword decorated with gold, which is now kept in the Hermitage. In 2004, a monument to the famous Russian writer V.M. Shukshin was esteblished on the mountaintop. Every year at the end of July, Shukshin Days, events dedicated to his work, start here.

Address: near Srostki village, Biysky District

Museum of the History of the Altai Spiritual Mission

This is the largest church museum in Siberia. It is located in the Bishop's House — the residence of the former head of the Altai Spiritual Mission. The museum's funds contain over 66,000 items. Exhibits in two halls are dedicated to the history of Orthodoxy in the Altai Krai and Biysk. The oldest exhibit is a fragment of a church manuscript book from 1570, from the time of Ivan the Terrible. The museum is worth visiting for the building itself, built in 1888, with state rooms, secret staircases in the walls, and cellars. The interiors of the house have been restored based on old photographs and descriptions.

Address: 1/1 Irkutskaya St., Biysk

Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday–Tuesday — closed

Website: biysk-eparhia.ru/muzey

Chuysky Tract Museum

The Chuisky Tract Museum is located at the historical zero kilometer of the tract, in the former estate of Chuysky merchant Varvinsky. The museum's exhibitions preserve many historical facts about the road. Here you can see a relief map of the area, the first geographical maps, petroglyphs, wheels from Chinese and Mongolian carts, models of the first cars, drawings by the tract surveyor V.Ya. Shishkov, and much more. In 2013, a memorial sign to the builders and drivers of the Chuysky Tract was installed near the museum building, made in the form of a horseshoe pointing towards the Altai Mountains, where the legendary road leads.

Address: 42 Sovetskaya St., Biysk

Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday–Tuesday — closed

Website: biyskmuseum.ru/about/otdely/muzej-chujskogo-trakta

Khalturin's House

Along the tram tracks on Lenina Street rises a castle-like brick building. It was built in the early 20th century by the owner of the local glass factory, merchant of the 2nd guild Andrei Fedorovich Khalturin. The architect approached the project creatively: he decorated the facades with half-columns and capitals.

Address: 85 Lenina St., Biysk

Monument to Peter the Great

Biysk is the only city beyond the Urals founded by Peter I. Therefore, for the 300th anniversary of Biysk, a nine-meter monument to the first Russian emperor was established in the local park. There are only two equestrian monuments to Peter in Russia: here and in St. Petersburg.

Address: Coordinates: 52.546620, 85.232759

Sovetskaya Street

The atmosphere of an old merchant Siberian town is preserved by the long Sovetskaya Street. The continuous rows of two-story brick buildings are former exchanges, banks, trading houses, and educational institutions, embodying centuries-old architectural traditions. The building of the former Public Assembly is the only surviving example of Siberian Rococo in the country.

Address: Coordinates: 52.531628, 85.198378

Monument to Peter and Fevronia

If you walk from the Assumption Cathedral through the green alleys of the City Garden, you will find yourself at the monument to Peter and Fevronia of Murom. These Orthodox saints are considered patrons of the family hearth. Therefore, Biysk newlyweds come here on their wedding day to pet the dove in Fevronia's hands: it is believed to promise a long and happy life together.

Address: Coordinates: 52.544191, 85.228114

Siberian Tea House

The Siberian Tea House is located at the beginning of Sovetskaya Street in an old building. The stylized interior of the establishment is filled with antique items: a restored cupboard and dresser with cast candlesticks and a samovar, a lamp under a lampshade, vintage tea sets on knitted patterned tablecloths, a spinning wheel and a gramophone on the window sill, a pendulum clock, and photographs of Biysk merchants on the walls. Next to the antiques are shelves in a modern design displaying balms made from local herbs and berries without alcohol, sugar, or preservatives. In addition to traditional Siberian drinks, the tea menu features signature and classic types of coffee. On Sundays, folk traditions are introduced here.

Address: 1A Sovetskaya St., Biysk

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00 am-8:00 pm

Malo-Tobolskaya Street

Malo-Tobolskaya is one of the oldest streets in Barnaul, and also one of the shortest. Its length is 812 meters. The street was a trading street in former times and remains so to this day. Several historical buildings have been preserved on Malo-Tobolskaya. For example, the department store of the trading house "Sukhov and Sons" built in 1880 and the trading house of Laletin, which now houses a shopping center. The street features sculptures of the City Mayor and the Barnaul Bear, which tourists love to photograph, and there is also the "Old Bazaar" market.

Address: Coordinates: 53.330757, 83.797024

Ob River Embankment

A landscaped embankment for walks appeared in Barnaul in 2018. The length of the promenade is 514 meters; it connects via stairs to Nagorny Park. The embankment is decorated with lanterns and sculptures, benches are installed for rest, and there is also an amphitheater where various cultural events are held. You can admire the Ob River from the viewing platforms on the embankment and Nagorny Park. This place offers wonderful photos with views of the river and the promenade.

Address: Coordinates: 53.320178, 83.795572

"World of Stone" Museum

The museum is located next to the Altai Krai Philharmonic — in the building of the former Instrument Shop of the silver smelting plant from the early 19th century. It was opened in 2010 based on Sergei Berger's mineralogical collection. The museum houses over 2000 exhibits: a collection of minerals, rocks, and fossils from different parts of the world: from the USA and Australia to Russia, European countries, Vietnam, and the African continent. A separate hall displays works by Altai masters — miniatures made from natural stone.

Address: 39 Polzunova St., Barnaul

Opening hours: 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Website: stonemir.ru

Mountain Pharmacy

While walking around Barnaul, be sure to visit the "Mountain Pharmacy." The tourist center is located in the city's first brick building. Under one roof here are the Museum of Pharmacy History, a restaurant where you can try dishes of authentic 19th-century Siberian cuisine, and a store of natural Altai goods. There you will find unique handmade souvenirs, products from maral farming, teas, honey, balms, and other Altai "tasty" and "healthy" items for health and beauty based on Altai herbs. From Barnaul we head to Novosibirsk - the largest city in the Asian part of Russia on the banks of the Ob River.

Address: 42 Polzunova St., Barnaul

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 Ppm

Website: gornaya-apteka.ru

Mikhailovskaya Embankment

You can start your acquaintance with the city from here. The embankment is located in the city center — there is something to see here all year round. For the New Year, an ice town with slides and a skating rink appears here, Maslenitsa festivities are held afterward, in May apple trees bloom in the alley on the embankment — the views are no worse than during cherry blossom season in Japan! But it's especially good in summer: concerts are held here, and on City Day, this is the best place to watch the fireworks.

Address: 12B Bolshevistskaya St., Novosibirsk

Krasny Prospect

Welcome to the city's main street. The wide Krasny Prospect stretches through the city from the Ob River embankment for seven kilometers. The avenue has become the keeper of the city's most iconic buildings. Here are located the Alexander Nevsky Church, the Novosibirsk State Art Museum, and the local history museum.

Address: Coordinates: 55.062906, 82.911770

Bugrinskaya Grove

The grove is named after the village of Bugry, which today is only reminded by a few city toponyms. One of them is the bright red Bugrinsky Bridge. Go to the shore to take a photo: an arch connects the forest area with the "Bugrinskaya Grove" Culture and Recreation Park. The best shots are taken from the viewing platform in the landscaped area of the park.

Address: 39 Savvy Kozhevnikova St., Novosibirsk