Ulan-Ude (till 1934 Verkhneudinsk) is the capital city of the republic of Buryatia. It is situated at the confluence of two rivers: the Uda and the Selenge, the major tributary of Lake Baikal. Ulan-Ude was founded in 1666 by the Cossacks, who built a winter post here. In 1680 the Cossacks built Verkhneudinsk outpost, which due to its geographical position became a fast growing settlement. In 1688-89 the tsars ambassador, Fedor Golovin, who determined Russian foreign policy during Peter the Great ruling, ordered to build a “gorod” (city-fortress) on the place of the outpost. In 1790 the settlement was granted a city status under the name of Verkhneudinsk. The city quickly grew into a crucial center of the trade rout connecting Russia with China and Mongolia.

Points of Interest

Weather you are interested in historical and cultural heritage or magnificent natural sceneries, Buddhist temples or ancient rock carvings you find a lot to see in Buryatia.

Ulan-UdeThe best point to start or finish any tourist rout in Buryatia is the republic’s historical, cultural and administrative center, Ulan-Ude. The city has the population of some 400,000 people and occupies the territory of 34,300 hectares. Distance from the airport to the city center is 10 km, which takes around 15-20 minutes by buses №10 or №34.

Ulan-Ude architecture draws a lot of attention. City center forms a picturesque amphitheatre situated along the banks of the Uda and Selenge rivers. Old merchants’ mansions represent the monuments of wooden and stone architecture of the Russian Classicism. Among them can be distinguished wooden houses rich in carving, Gostinyi Dvor, and the Odigitrievski Cathedral – the first stone building of 18th century Verkhneudinsk and the architectural monument of the Siberian Baroque. Contemporary buildings, embellished with stained glass and mosaic panels with the Buryat ornaments, preserve and convey local artistic traditions. An irresistible charm of such buildings as theater opera-house or Buryat dramatic theater is deeply rooted in the national Buryat coloring.

Museums and Theaters

Ulan-Ude hosts 6 theaters, several museums and concert halls. One of the major relics of the Tibetan medicine, the Tibetan Medicine Atlas, is also stored in the city.

In the environs of Ulan-Ude situated the Ethnographical Museum. The museum consists of several expositions, all of which are devoted to the local history, culture and nature. Archeological Complex tells about the Prehistoric period of the regional history, City Complex includes old buildings of Verkhneudinsk. There are also special exhibitions devoted to the local nature, flora and fauna.