Ulan-Ude is an important commercial and industrial center of Eastern Siberia, located on the 5640th kilometer of the Trans-Siberian railway. It is the capital of Buryatia republic that is a home for Buryat, Evenk, and Russian people. The city itself has a distinct Asian-like feel, perhaps because of the cultural mix and proximity to Mongolia. There are about 400 000 inhabitants, but it seems to be very calm and local people are friendly to visitors. The main attractions are considered to be the Buddhist Datsan, Ethnographic Museum, a History and Nature Museums in the city. Ulan-Ude is situated at the junction of two rivers (Uda and Selenga) between two mountain ranges: Khamar-Daban and Ulan-Burgasy.
Excursions
- Ivolginsky Datsan is a major center of Buddism in Russia . It is located in a valley surrounded by picturesque mountains.
- The open-air ethnographic museum tells the interesting story about the life and traditions of native Siberians (Buryats and Evenks), as well as colonizers (Cossacks and Old-believers).
-The Museum of Nature with interesting expositions about history, flora and fauna of Lake Baikal .
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