Irkutsk is the nearest and biggest city to the Lake Baikal and therefore one of the tourist centers of Russia, Irkutsk was founded 1661 by Cossack troops and became the gate to Eastern Siberia and the capital of Siberia at that time. The wonderful historical and architectural monuments in Irkutsk keep the memory of the many events and changes that influences the economy, culture and politics. Here is Irkutsk, the first Russian revolutionaries, the Decembrists, lived in exile. All the centers of the cultural life of the city are situated in ancient buildings of different architectural styles. Irkutsk today sometimes is like a living museum. Very famous are the ornate old one - and two – stored wooden houses, some dating back to the late 18th century

The village is situated on the shore of Listvenichny bay - the place where Angara river flows out of Baikal. Listvyanka is located to the southwest of Lake Baikal near the source of the Angara. Listvyanka is 70 kilometers away from Irkutsk. The settlement is spread for 5 kilometers along the Baikal shore. Small trading square is a kind of the village's center where one may seat in a cafe or buy the famous fish of the Baikal - omul.

The Taltsy Museum of Architecture and Ethnography (the Wooden Architecture Museum) was founded in 1969. The Taltsy museum is situated on the road to Lake Baikal, 47 km from Irkutsk. Its 67-hectare territory is surrounded with a protected area. Over 40 monuments of architectural heritage and 8,000 exhibits of high historical value were brought together from a different parts of Irkutsk region. Two architectural-ethnographical areas (Russian and Buryat) show a large variety of housing and life of the Siberians. The museum consists of several exhibit areas holding interesting ethnographical collections.

The Baikal Museum of Limnology is probably the most interesting place to see in Listvyanka. Numerous exhibits of flora and fauna are presented in the museum. Watching a short video about the four seasons on the Baikal follows an exciting excursion. The museum is engaged in collecting, storage, analysis both demonstrating of the material testimonies and information, bound with the lake. Visitors can find a lot of information about historical investigation of the lake Baikal and it's surrounding area, objects of flora and fauna.
Tchersky's rock is situated on a mountaintop and has a beautiful view of the lake. You should visit the wooden orthodox St. Nicholas” Church which possesses some rare icons dating back to the 18th century. And, of course, you should taste the cold or hot smoked omul and grayfish which is offered near the harbor. Both are a delicacy of the Baikal Lake which will be smoked just for you.

Olkhon Island is the largest island (72 km long) on Lake Baikal and home to the most beautiful landscapes in the region. It’s situated about 250 km from Irkutsk. The island's appearance is a result of millions of years of tectonic development, resulting in the hollowing of this channel and the block of stone forming Olkhorn Island. From the Primorsky Range, you can see the vertical heave of the Earth. Olkhon Island is perfect place for hiking and horse-riding tours. The Maloye Sea is one of the best places on Lake Baikal for diving. The island is under the supervision of the Pribaikalsky National Park. The Khuzhir settlement is the administrative center of the island.

The National Natural Park Pribaikalsky was established in 1986 for the purpose of protecting the glorious sea, the forest reserves of the National Park, its flora and fauna, and the whole variety of the unique natural, architectural and historic relics and monuments at Baikal shores. The forests occupy 70% of the total area of the Park. The total area of the National Park Pribaikalsky is 418,000 hectares. Here the taiga alternates with the forest steppe, and vertical rock walls and pressing slopes create beautiful scenery.