According to the Russian Association of Tour Operators, Dagestan is one of the most popular destinations for domestic tourism in 2022. One of the reasons for this is the rich cultural and historical heritage.
But there are many original regions in Russia, so we propose to develop new ones – national republics with a well-preserved culture, where mass tourism has not yet reached. For example, Tyva, Khakassia and Yakutia.
Tuva
In Tuva, the feeling that you have fallen outside of Russia immediately arises. In the republic, 80% of the population are Tuvan-speaking Tuvans. Add to this Tibetan Buddhism, actively preached by locals, with stupas and temples regularly gathered against the backdrop of steppe mountains – and that’s all, exoticism and the puzzle of another world will immediately take shape.
Tuva has a bad reputation as one of the most dangerous regions in Russia, but if you follow standard safety rules, nothing bad will happen to you there. The main thing is to avoid drunk people. Alcohol has a bad effect on many small Siberian peoples (the same Altaians), Tuvans are no exception. Finally, not so long ago, many people were afraid to travel to the Caucasian republics, and now there is a constant stream of tourists. Well, the scale of beauty and the impression of Tuva’s authenticity more than make up for these concerns.
Things to do: yurts, Buddhism and Scythian gold
To immerse yourself in the national flavor, you should immediately go to the Beldir-Kezhiy open-air ethno-reserve and then to the Aldyn-Bulak yurt camp on the Yenisei coast. Secondly, you can not only live in a traditional dormitory, but also try the local cuisine.
An important part of Tuvan culture is Buddhism. Therefore, climb Mount Khayyrakan, blessed by the Dalai Lama himself, go to the Ustuu-Khuree monastery, where the foundations of the Tuvan alphabet were laid, and go to the geographical center of Asia, next to which the Buddhist temple Tsechenling is located. .
To look for Scythian gold in Kyzyl, head to the National Tyva Museum. Among other things, you will see the one and a half kilogram crown of the Scythian king and the mantle of the Scythian queen inlaid with thousands of golden figures. After that, you will have to firmly believe that the Scythians are not a myth, but really existing people. As well as Genghis Khan, whose legendary traces are scattered everywhere here. For example, kizhi-kozhee, one of the giant stone warriors over 1200 years old in the vicinity of Bizhiktig-Khaya Mountain, is named after Genghis Khan.
How to get there: Kyzyl, the capital of Tyva, can be reached from Abakan by plane or by bus, minibus, taxi or car (5 hours). The second option is much more popular with tourists, including the magnificent views outside the window on the road.
Khakassia
Neighboring Tuva, the republic also boasts picturesque steppes and mountains in the Mongolian or Kazakh style. And also – a rich historical heritage: mounds, ancient stone statues and petroglyphs are scattered throughout Khakassia. The mystics add shamanism and reverence for the ancestral spirits to all that the locals still believe. For example, a walking path along the valley of the Bely Iyus River is called the ancestral path (or the path of the shamans), and the strips hang all over the trees – they are tied, turned to spirits.
Things to do: Siberia Stonehenge, Sayano-Shushenskaya HEPP and kayaking
Mountain Chests are called Siberian Stonehenge, but they are older than real Stonehenge and Egyptian pyramids: 14 thousand years ago, stones scattered around the “box” rocks served as an observatory for the ancient inhabitants of these places. As often happens, such landscapes are still considered places of power. For example, the Temple of the Moon in the first “chest” area is popular with lovers of yoga and meditation. And during the summer solstice, a festival is held in the Chests.
For the largest collection of petroglyphs in the region, head to Oglakhty, a mountain range on the banks of the Krasnoyarsk reservoir. “Wow!” you will say. Admire the surrounding landscape.
In Kazanovka, where it is easiest to get acquainted with the traditions and customs of Khakass, you can see the largest collection of ancient cult stone sculptures – menhirs.
Well worth a stop by Sayano-Shushenskaya HES – check-in so to speak.
Yes, we almost forgot: there are good ski resorts here – for example, Gladenkaya. After all, winter is just around the corner!
If you’re not thinking about winter yet and want to see everything at once in the near future without the shortage of choice, follow the Siberia Vacations national tour route launched this summer. In eight days you will see the most important things not only in Khakassia, but also in Tyva and the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
How to get there: by plane directly to Abakan. Or – 6-8 hours by plane to Krasnoyarsk (cheaper), and then by bus to Abakan.
Yakutia
The largest republic in Russia and one of the coldest places in the world is a rare place where you should go in winter to make the most of your impressions. Considering that winter starts in October in Yakutia, it is already possible to pack your bags and buy thermal underwear and thick clothes!
Despite the harsh climate, Yakuts are very fond of their homeland and language. If you want to learn more about their culture and life, watch one of the recently popular films in the Yakut language (for example, the Scarecrow) – their productions were even called Sakhawood, analogous to Hollywood and Bollywood.
Things to do: Cold Pole, Ruby Santa, rocks and diamonds
You can start acquaintance with the Yakut culture immediately in the capital of the Sakha Republic – Yakutsk. At the Field Academic Theatre. Oyunsky gave performances in the national language, and the main market sells typical Yakut products – lots of frozen fish and meat. Including frozen thai liver cut into bars and eaten sprinkled with salt.
There, in Yakutsk, admire the diamonds and traditional jewelry of the Yakuts at the exhibition “Treasure of the Republic of Sakha” in the State Warehouse of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
Four hours from the capital are the Lena Pillars – rocks of a peculiar shape, surrounded by a snow-covered forest, which is especially beautiful in winter. This is one of the main tourist attractions of the region, so you should definitely go there.
Another major attraction is the Pole of the Cold in the village of Oymyakon. The absolute minimum temperature of -71.2℃ is recorded here. And on average there is -55℃, just one thing! But the chances of seeing the northern lights are very, very high.
In March, in the middle of the Yakut winter, in the village of Tomtor, neighboring Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold festival is held: it is opened by the Yakut lord of the cold Chyyskhan, a multi-colored grandfather. On this holiday, everyone wears national clothes, performs national dances and eats national dishes.
Are you starting to freeze from such expectations? Next, head to the Nahot hot springs to warm up, where the water temperature does not drop below +30℃. This is truly a republic of contrasts!
How to get there: 6.5-7 hours by plane from Moscow to Yakutsk.
Source: People Talk
I’m Roger Gritton, and I’ve been writing for the The Fashion Vibes for over 5 years now. My specialty is beauty news; I’m passionate about covering the latest trends, products, and innovations in the industry. In my time there, I’ve become known as an authority on all things beauty-related.
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