Irkutsk facts

City Irkutsk, the capital of Irkutsk Region.

• Founded: 1652
• Population: 650 000
• Region Area: 767 900 km2
• Region Population: 2 872 000
• Ethnic groups: Russian; Buryats; Eenki; Yakuts; Tofa
• Status: Region within the Russian Federation
• Economic region: East Siberia
• Industry: Gold, Coal, Fur, Oil…
• Time zone: GMT + 8 hours, Moscow + 5 hours
• Climate: Average temperature - January -20°, July +17°

Irkutsk, situated 60km East of Lake Baikal, is considered as the "heart of Siberia" and the "Paris of the East". As a local writer once noted, "To miss seeing Irkutsk is to miss Siberia." Irkutsk is the main city of the area. The population is 580 000 residents. The territory covers 300 sq.km. The city is an important road junction on TransSib and on the navigable Angara. There is the big airport there.
Irkutsk was founded as a Cossack outpost near the confluence of two rivers: the Angara and the Irkut and now lies on both banks of the Angara - river and developed as a fur- and gold-trading center on the railroad in 1898 what brought new prosperity to this remote city. It was devastated by fighting during the Russian Civil War between 1918 and 1921. The victorious Soviet forces subsequently reinstated the practice of banishing to Irkutsk. In the 1960’s due to mineral and lumber resources located in the region the city saw a rapid industrial development.

Irkutsk is the historically significant city. There are 685 historical and cultural monuments in Irkutsk and 108 of them are of the national importance. The most interesting sights you can find in the central part of the city (the oldest one) - the Church of Our Saviour (1710), the Epiphany Cathedral (1748), the Obelisk Monument (1908) and the building of the Museum of Regional Studies (1891).
You need a plenty of time to cover each thoroughly, though each can be done at breakneck speed in 3 or 4 hours. The first two areas – the historical center and wooden houses quarters will require a car ride with a guide; and the third area – the Memorial Decembrists Complex can be covered both by car and on foot. Irkutsk is recognized as the Decembrists center of the country.
Today it is rather hard to imagine the spiritual life of Irkutsk without the Art Museum, the Museum of Regional studies, the Drama and Musical Theatres.

Usefull information

When is the best time to come?

It is interesting and available all year round to have a rest on Lake Baikal. Usually tourists come here in summer, but those travelers who want to experience a real Siberian winter and see the transparent lake should come here in winter. All public and private buildings have very good central heating, as do the trains on Trans-Siberian.
In March the most popular activities are skiing, snowmobiling, wind skating, ice bicycling and ice fishing. It is not cold on ice when the Sun is shining, and it is enough for travelers to wear sweaters. In the beginning of April ice starts crusting. From mid May till mid June the ice on the lake is melting .There are no fogs and air is cool and clear. Spring is a very nice and green time, when the endemic Baikal flowers are blooming and the Taiga smells so fresh. The end of September, Indian summer, attracts painters and photographers by colorful autumn forest.

How do I get there?

You can get to Irkutsk by airplane or by train on the Trans-Siberian railway. There about 10 daily flights from many destinations: Moscow, Frankfurt (over Moscow), Japan, China and Mongolia.

By Trans-Siberian you can come from Moscow (4 days), Ekaterinburg (2,5 days), Vladivostok (3 days), Peking (2 days), Ulan-Baator (1 night). See further information below. The village of Listvyanka on the Baikal shore is an hour by car from the city of Irkutsk. From Listvyanka you can reach remote areas of the lake by hydrofoils or by private rental boats.

Hotels

“SunHotel” ****

The “Sun Hotel” complex locates in Irkutsk. All 50 rooms, as well as suites are designed and equipped in accordance with luxury four star hotel standards. Every room is tastefully furnished with hand made furniture. The elegant interior will make your stay at the Sun Hotel comfortable and enjoyable. You will find luxury bedrooms, modern bathrooms with toiletries, an inviting minibar, color TV, PC outlet and telephone. Sun Hotel services: restaurant “Solntse”, restaurant “Aria”, bar, coffee shop “Irkucchino”, banquette halls, souvenirs boutique, business center (computer, fax, photocopier), translation services, airline and railway tickets reservations, car rental, guarded parking, laundry, hair dresser, sauna, solarium, massage, etc.

Hotel “Baikal” ***

The “Baikal” hotel complex locates in the village of Listvyanka, 70 km from Irkutsk on the shore of the lake Baikal. The three-stored building of the hotel possesses all the necessary facilities to make the accommodation on the lake.
There are 56 cozy rooms (single, twin, double, deluxe rooms). In the vicinity of the lake is Baikal museum, the wooden church, the picture gallery, the observatory, the pier, the bus station. There is an exchange post, ATM machine, souvenir shop, beauty parlor located on the first floor.
The hotel provides the guests with some sport facilities: in winter: snow-mobiling, mountain and cross-country skiing, skates; in summer: lawn tennis, mountain bikes, badminton, volley-ball, basketball.

“Baikal Terema” Hotel***

Cozy pine chalet type hotel is located in Listvyanka settlement only 40 miles away from Irkutsk. It is a small hotel built on a hill slope with a breathtaking view of Lake Baikal and the snow-topped peaks of the Khamar-Daban mountain range. Terema Hotel is renowned for its relaxing atmosphere and fine dining. Terema Hotel has 17 double guestrooms cozylounge withfireplace, full service restaurant with Russian and Siberian cuisine and traditional Russian banya (steam sauna).
Amenities include: 17 comfortable guestrooms, all baths are private, hotel open year-round, full service restaurant, bar lounge with karaoke, Russian banya (steam sauna), lounge with fireplace and comfortable chairs, waterfront terrace, safety deposit box, souvenirs available at the front desk.
Hotel offers almost boundless opportunities for winter and summer sports and recreation. These include biking, horseback riding, trekking, boat cruises, sled dog and snowmobile trips, ice-fishing and cross-country skiing. Hotel provides experienced guides and the most performing equipment to outfit our guests for these adventures.

Restaurants

"Savoya", phone 34-05-22
"Aura", phone 33-56-06
"Pekin", phone 29-02-74
"Sibirskii traktir", phone 29-01-81
"Irkutskii", phone 29-02-73
"Fichtelberg", phone 33-61-01
"Angara", phone. 29-34-81, 34-66-91
"Centralny", phone 33-41-49
"Tihvinskaya ploshad", phone 29-36-51
Kafe "Uyut", phone 33-41-53
"Drakon", (Chinese) phone 33-23-86, 34-48-86
Kafe "Eurasia", phone 29-72-61
Kafe "Iliga", phone 27-10-42
"Talisman", phone 43-14-02