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Short Trips from Irkutsk  Ulan Ude
Ulan Ude is the capital of Buryatia, on the east side of Lake Baikal. The Buryats are ethnic Mongols who settled in this territory. The area features one of Russia's largest Buddhist centers and striking eastern architecture and an interesting mix of Cossack, Chinese, Mongol and Russian cultures. Make sure to take in the scenery of the train ride, which circles Lake Baikal, have a traditional Buryat dinner at "Urta" in Verkhnya Berezovka (a picturesque site outside the city), visit Ivolginsk Datsan (a Buddhist religious center); also in the area is an Old Believer’s Village, set up to take tourist and deliver traditional food and dancing. The city of Ulan Ude itself is a relic of communism with a giant bust of Lenin on Revolution Square, and the imposing Gostinie Dvori, Lenin Street and Soviet Square with its Opera and Ballet Theater.  Lake Baikal
In addition to being the world's largest fresh water lake and one of it's purest, Baikal also has a unique ecosystem (and a few species) not found anywhere else on the planet. Visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture en route, see the Limnological Museum, including aquarium with Nerpa (a seal indigenous to Lake Baikal) and stroll while snacking on smoked Omul bought from one of the area's numerous local vendors. Omul is fish found only in Baikal and is a local delicacy. The Old Railway (Starobaikalskaya Zeleznaya Doroga), was built at the beginning of the twentieth century and was such a feat of engineering it became known as the “Tsar’s Jeweled Buckle.” It is still partially operational as a tourist attraction, though sections have now been submerged due to modern damming projects. Rumors say that old train-wrecks lying below Lake Baikal still contain large amounts of gold, as the route was commonly used to transport Siberian gold. The Old Railway may be seen from the tourist train, by hiking, or by boat or diving tour. Bolshie Koti is a boat ride from Irkutsk and a good way to get out on the lake and to see some traditional Russian living. Originally founded by gold miners (who apparently wore really big boots and hence the name), it is now a fishing village where one can witness the traditional processes of catching, cleaning, hanging and/or smoking fish. Tasting is remarkably inexpensive. Visit the Akvarium Museum while you are there as well. The Tsaltsy Museum of Wooden Architecture gives a fantastic view of traditional Siberian architecture with chapels, a church, a watermill, military constructions, graveyards and homes. Inexpensive and a very short trip from Irkutsk, this comes highly recommended. Severobaikalsk, a long boat trip to the north part of the lake, is a hikers paradise and inexpensive to boot. Find Out More!
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