Ulan-Ude
The Capital of Buddhism in Russia

Cossacks exploring lands to the east of Baikal founded Ulan-Ude in 1666. It was a strong fortress supporting Russian troops in this area. In addition, Ulan-Ude was an important center of trade with China, Mongolia, and local people.
Nowadays, Ulan-Ude is a big Siberian city. It attracts tourists with the beauty of the surrounding nature, rich history, magnificent architecture, and the unique opportunity to get acquainted with Buddhism. Ulan-Ude is the capital of the Republic of Buryatia. It is a comparatively big territory to the east from Baikal. The name of the city can be translated from the Buryat language as «Red Uda.» Uda is the name of the river where the town was founded.
Ulan-Ude
The Capital of Buddhism in Russia

Cossacks exploring lands to the east of Baikal founded Ulan-Ude in 1666. It was a strong fortress supporting Russian troops in this area. In addition, Ulan-Ude was an important center of trade with China, Mongolia, and local people.
Nowadays, Ulan-Ude is a big Siberian city. It attracts tourists with the beauty of the surrounding nature, rich history, magnificent architecture, and the unique opportunity to get acquainted with Buddhism. Ulan-Ude is the capital of the Republic of Buryatia. It is a comparatively big territory to the east from Baikal. The name of the city can be translated from the Buryat language as «Red Uda.» Uda is the name of the river where the town was founded.
What’s interesting in Ulan-Ude?
- Buddhism center in Russia
- Capital of the Buryat Republic
- One of the oldest city in Siberia
- The biggest city to the East of Baikal
What’s interesting in Ulan-Ude?
- Buddhism center in Russia
- Capital of the Buryat Republic
- One of the oldest city in Siberia
- The biggest city to the East of Baikal
Ulan-Ude Attractions
There are many places In Ulan-Ude where tourists can spend their time with interest. It is necessary to admire the temples of Ulan-Ude, belonging to the Buddhism religion. We also advise you to visit museums to learn more about the local people’s culture, traditions, and religion.
Monument “Mother Buryatiya”
This 16-meter monument is considered a symbol not only of Ulan-Ude but also of the whole Republic. «Buryatiya» is the name of the Buryat Republic in Russia, the Buryat people’s land.
A bronze sculpture of a woman Mother Buryatia holds a khadak and a bowl in her hands, warmly greeting the city’s guests.
Khadak — a long narrow shawl given as a sign of respect, friendship, and good wishes

Mother Buryatiya
King’s gate
In 1891 Nikolay the Second, the prince of the Russian Empire, visited Ulan-Ude. The Arch was built in honor of the future Emperor’s visit.

King’s gate
Monument to Geser
In Buryat folklore, Geser is the National Hero, the Gods’ son, who fights against evil. He protects his native from enemies and foreign invaders. The monument is located on Victory Avenue.
Ulan-Ude Theatre Square
Theatre square is one of the main attractions of Ulan-Ude. Its architectural ensemble consists of beautiful buildings, monuments, a delightful light, and a musical fountain.
Each tourist must visit this place to see the sculpture «Angara the Beauty,» Buryat Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the House of Radio. The square is a favorite place for evening walks of the city residents.

Theatre Square
Museum of the history of Buryatiya
The exhibition tells about the history of Buryatia from ancient times to the present day. Here it is easy to learn a lot about the culture, folklore, life, traditions of the local people.
In the museum’s collection, there are more than 100 000 items! There are archaeological artifacts, works of art, archival documents, and decorative and applied art masterpieces. The pearl of the collection is an Atlas of Tibetan medicine of the XVII century!
Museum working hours:
every day, except Monday,
from 10:00 to 18:00
Ticket price:
60 rubles for adults
30 rubles for children

Inside the museum

The collection is impressive!
Ulan-Ude Museum of Nature
The people living on the land of Buryatia know how to live in harmony with nature. The Buryatia Republic is trying to preserve the unique ecological system of the Lake Baikal. Travelers will get acquainted with the region’s natural resources during a tour of the Museum of Nature. Its exhibits tell about flora and fauna of Buryatia.
In addition, there are an extensive collection of paleontological artifacts and minerals.
Museum working hours:
every day, except Monday,
from 10:00 to 18:00
Ticket price:
60 rubles for adults
30 rubles for children
Ethnographic Museum
The museum has an area of 40 hectares, divided into thematic areas. Tourists will see several colorful historical attractions during the tour: local farms of the XIX century, Datsans, the burial of the Bronze Age. The exhibition includes reconstructions of traditional rituals of the Buryat people.
Working hours:
from Wednesday to Sunday,
from 10:00 to 18:30
Ticket price:
visiting is free, additional services
cost from 130 rubles to 350 rubles

Pointers help you to navigate on the museum territory

An exhibition building

It is a perfect place for walk also

Guru Drakur the destroyer of evil

Valley of Mountain Spirits

Another one building
Datsan Rinpoche Bagsha
Datsan is a Buddhist temple. For the Buryats, this is an important spiritual center and storage of the original culture. One of the main Datsan in Ulan-Ude is Datsan Rinpoche Bagsha.
Having been here, travelers will see the 6-meter statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, covered with gold, and hear the ringing of the bells of Four Seals installed inside the Datsan.
Datsan is opened every day from 8:30 to 17:30.

At the datsan yard

At the datsan yard

Inside the temple

Inside the temple
Lenin Street
Guests are required to walk along Lenin street. There are old merchant houses, fountains, monuments, and souvenir shops. This street is one of the main attractions of the city.

Monument to the famous Russian novelist Anton Chekhov

On the Lenin street
Ivolginskiy Datsan
Ulan-Ude is the Capital of Buddhism in Russia. There are many Buddhist temples, but the most interesting is Ivolginskiy Datsan. There you can see the real miracle – the Buddhist monk Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov.
He was born in 1852 and, at 15, started to learn the Buddha’s teachings. He lived for 75 years, and in 1927 he sat in the Lotus position and closed his eyes. Today people can see him sitting in this position! His nails and hair are still growing, and his body has not decomposed! Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov is a true wonder! Tourists can have a look at him a few times a year.
Ulan-Ude Attractions
There are many places In Ulan-Ude where tourists can spend their time with interest. It is necessary to admire the temples of Ulan-Ude, belonging to the Buddhism religion. We also advise you to visit museums to learn more about the local people’s culture, traditions, and religion.
Monument “Mother Buryatiya”
This 16-meter monument is considered a symbol not only of Ulan-Ude but also of the whole Republic. «Buryatiya» is the name of the Buryat Republic in Russia, the Buryat people’s land.
A bronze sculpture of a woman Mother Buryatia holds a khadak and a bowl in her hands, warmly greeting the city’s guests.
Khadak — a long narrow shawl given as a sign of respect, friendship, and good wishes

Mother Buryatiya
King’s gate
In 1891 Nikolay the Second, the prince of the Russian Empire, visited Ulan-Ude. The Arch was built in honor of the future Emperor’s visit.

King’s gate
Monument to Geser
In Buryat folklore, Geser is the National Hero, the Gods’ son, who fights against evil. He protects his native from enemies and foreign invaders. The monument is located on Victory Avenue.
Ulan-Ude Theatre Square
Theatre square is one of the main attractions of Ulan-Ude. Its architectural ensemble consists of beautiful buildings, monuments, a delightful light, and a musical fountain.
Each tourist must visit this place to see the sculpture «Angara the Beauty,» Buryat Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the House of Radio. The square is a favorite place for evening walks of the city residents.

Theatre Square
Museum of the history of Buryatiya
The exhibition tells about the history of Buryatia from ancient times to the present day. Here it is easy to learn a lot about the culture, folklore, life, traditions of the local people.
In the museum’s collection, there are more than 100 000 items! There are archaeological artifacts, works of art, archival documents, and decorative and applied art masterpieces. The pearl of the collection is an Atlas of Tibetan medicine of the XVII century!
Museum working hours:
every day, except Monday,
from 10:00 to 18:00
Ticket price:
60 rubles for adults
30 rubles for children

Inside the museum

The collection is impressive!
Ulan-Ude Museum of Nature
The people living on the land of Buryatia know how to live in harmony with nature. The Buryatia Republic is trying to preserve the unique ecological system of the Lake Baikal. Travelers will get acquainted with the region’s natural resources during a tour of the Museum of Nature. Its exhibits tell about flora and fauna of Buryatia.
In addition, there are an extensive collection of paleontological artifacts and minerals.
Museum working hours:
every day, except Monday,
from 10:00 to 18:00
Ticket price:
60 rubles for adults
30 rubles for children
Ethnographic Museum
The museum has an area of 40 hectares, divided into thematic areas. Tourists will see several colorful historical attractions during the tour: local farms of the XIX century, Datsans, the burial of the Bronze Age. The exhibition includes reconstructions of traditional rituals of the Buryat people.
Working hours:
from Wednesday to Sunday,
from 10:00 to 18:30
Ticket price:
visiting is free, additional services
cost from 130 rubles to 350 rubles

Guru Drakur the destroyer of evil

Pointers help you to navigate on the museum territory

An exhibition building

It is a perfect place for walk also

Valley of Mountain Spirits

Another one building
Datsan Rinpoche Bagsha
Datsan is a Buddhist temple. For the Buryats, this is an important spiritual center and storage of the original culture. One of the main Datsan in Ulan-Ude is Datsan Rinpoche Bagsha.
Having been here, travelers will see the 6-meter statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, covered with gold, and hear the ringing of the bells of Four Seals installed inside the Datsan.
Working hours:
Datsan is opened every day from 8:30 to 17:30

At the datsan yard

At the datsan yard

Inside the temple

Inside the temple

Monument to the famous Russian novelist Anton Chekhov
Lenin Street
Guests are required to walk along Lenin street. There are old merchant houses, fountains, monuments, and souvenir shops. This street is one of the main attractions of the city.

On the Lenin street
Ivolginskiy Datsan
Ulan-Ude is the Capital of Buddhism in Russia. There are many Buddhist temples, but the most interesting is Ivolginskiy Datsan. There you can see the real miracle – the Buddhist monk Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov.
He was born in 1852 and, at 15, started to learn the Buddha’s teachings. He lived for 75 years, and in 1927 he sat in the Lotus position and closed his eyes. Today people can see him sitting in this position! His nails and hair are still growing, and his body has not decomposed! Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov is a true wonder! Tourists can have a look at him a few times a year.
Advertisement
How to get to Ulan-Ude
It is very easy to do, look:
How to get to Ulan-Ude
It is very easy to do, look: