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Ulan Ude

The capital of the Russian republic of Buryatia, Ulan Ude lies in the country’s south east, north of Mongolia, 62 miles from Lake Baikal. Sitting astride the River Uda and nestled in the valley between the mountainous ranges of Khamar-Daban and Khrebet Ulan-Burgasy, it’s beautiful inside and out. Historically an important center for trade thanks to its advantageous location for Russia, China and Mongolia, it was given an extra boost by the Trans-Siberian Railway in the 1930s. For the same reason, the city has a distinctly multi-cultural feel.

Small enough to navigate on foot, Ulan Ude is packed with attractions for visitors to explore and discover during casual and pleasant strolls. The beautiful, historic town center is an excellent place to spot classic and Baroque architecture including the Odigitrievsky Cathedral, not to mention the fact that it’s home to the largest Lenin statue in the world. Other attractions include a wealth of theaters, museums and galleries, as well as plenty of places to sample the local cuisine.

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Lenin’s monument

A meeting point popular for its distinct nature, this vast bronze statue stands proudly in the city’s main plaza. It was built in 1970 to celebrate the centennial of Lenin’s birth and at 25 feet tall, it is the largest in the world.

Odigitrievsky Cathedral

More than just a classic Russian Orthodox church, this historic cathedral is an important Siberian monument. Built in the Baroque style, it was the first stone building to be built in the city and an important tourist attraction.

Riverside

Recalling Ulan Ude’s heyday as a thriving trade center, the merchants’ mansions built alongside the water enhance a riverside stroll with their elegant architecture, carved wood and stone decoration.

Ulan Ude Ethnographic Museum

This open-air museum is one of the largest of its kind in all of Russia. It contains important artifacts charting the ethnographic makeup of the Transbaikal people from the Bronze Age to the mid-20th century.

Ulger Puppet Theater

Home to the city’s resident puppet theater company, which regularly tours the region, the theater puts on productions of Russian classics, with an emphasis on plays written in the local region.

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