Irkutsk & Lake Baikal

Irkutsk, the “Paris of Siberia,” paired with the lakeside village of Listvyanka 70 km away, the Circum-Baikal Railway and Slyudyanka on the southern shore.

Irkutsk sits on the Angara River in the south of Eastern Siberia, about 70 km from the southwestern tip of Lake Baikal. A historic city on the Trans-Siberian Railway, it is known as the “Paris of Siberia” and serves as the gateway to the southern part of Lake Baikal. Baikal is the world's deepest (1,642 m), oldest and most voluminous freshwater lake, and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1996. This destination covers three areas: central Irkutsk (130th Quarter, the Decembrist House-Museums, the Epiphany Cathedral, the Kazan Church, carved wooden houses, the Angara embankment and the icebreaker Angara; 1–2 days); Listvyanka, Port Baikal and Bolshie Koty on the lake's southwestern shore (passing the Taltsy open-air museum, with hiking on the Great Baikal Trail; 1–2 days); and Slyudyanka, the Circum-Baikal Railway, Chersky Peak and the Baikalsk ski resort at the lake's southern end (1–2 days). In winter you can also head to Bolshoye Goloustnoye to see clear blue ice. Olkhon Island is farther away and is covered as a separate destination. Seasons: Jun–Sep offers the best lake views, with boat trips and hiking; from February to mid-March the ice is at its thickest, perfect for blue ice and frozen bubbles, with temperatures often below -20°C; Apr–May and Nov–Dec are the freeze-up and thaw periods, when the ice is unsafe. Getting there: direct flights connect Beijing and other cities with Irkutsk, or you can arrive on the Trans-Siberian Railway; a minibus from the city to Listvyanka takes about 1 hour. Note: Russia's entry and visa-free policies have changed in recent years, so check official announcements before you travel; foreign bank cards have limited use, so bring plenty of rubles in cash; always go with a licensed guide for any activities on the ice.

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Where to eat

Itineraries