In the “Cudablin” project, we send completely different people on trips at our expense! Margarita Mamedova visited Ulan-Ude: she told us about what to see in this city, about a trip to Lake Baikal and about a dish that you must try. More details in her report!
Despite all the challenges that befell 2020, there is an undoubted plus – most travelers paid attention to domestic tourism, and I am among them! Honestly, when subscribers chose Ulan-Ude for their trip, I didn’t expect much. Of the main attractions, I only knew the Lenin monument on Soviet Square.
Getting off the plane, the first thing I felt was the cold forest air! On the way to the hotel, a local taxi driver gave me a fascinating tour, recommending places that are definitely worth visiting in Ulan-Ude. Even then I thought how much a person knows about his native land, and with what warmth he talks about the city.
Having started my journey on the first day around the city from the duty stations – Soviet Square, the monument to V.I. Lenin – I quickly switched to attractions recommended by a local resident: Theater Square named after. L.L. Linhovoina, the local Arbat, located on the pedestrian part of Lenin Street, and the datsan of Rinpoche Bagsha.
The last place made a huge impression on me. Datsan is located at the highest point of the city, offering stunning views of the mountains and the Selenga River valley. The largest gilded Buddha statue and the largest bell in Russia are also located here. I couldn’t resist, made a cherished wish and rang it. Going a little lower down the steps, I found a green park area, whose opening was dedicated to the voluntary entry of Buryatia into Russia. Along the road that runs through the entire park, there are 12 pavilions (in accordance with the 12-year cycle of the Buddhist calendar), Every now and then there are almost tame squirrels and birds that approach travelers with joy and curiosity.
I ended my day at a restaurant serving local cuisine, which was recommended to me by subscribers. It’s a crime to visit Ulan-Ude and not try the local buuz, so I happily took the recommendation and tried this dish.
It was decided to devote the second day to a trip to Lake Baikal, located just 150 km from Ulan-Ude. Of course, I couldn’t miss this opportunity and not see a real miracle of nature. Along the way, you will want to stop more than once and capture the local landscapes: mountains strewn with trees, picturesque villages, fields with wheat – the whole atmosphere gives real aesthetic pleasure from solitude with nature!
The most difficult thing on Baikal is to choose where you want to stay, because the beaches are completely different, but all are picturesque: with black and golden sand, with rocky approaches to the water and cliffs. And the water is so crystal clear that you can see every pebble lying on the bottom. I was lucky to be on the lake with local residents, who happily showed me the most picturesque places. What I remember most is the “Sands” beach and the rocky coast called “Turtle”. To preserve the memories of this magical place, I managed to take several atmospheric shots.
At sunset, peering into the horizon, I saw seals swimming in a flock in the distance. As the locals said, the animals do not like to get close to people, so they mostly swim far from the shore. But even this almost completed meeting made me fall even more in love with such a different and magical place – Lake Baikal.
Already before boarding the return plane, I caught myself thinking: “How great it is to destroy your stereotypes and immerse yourself in a completely different culture and atmosphere!” I admit honestly, I was skeptical about traveling around Russia and always gave preference to foreign countries. But a trip to Ulan-Ude and the beauty of Buryatia made me reconsider my views.
Text and photo author: Margarita Mamedova
Preview photo: Unsplash.com
