Chita city, Russia

The capital city of Zabaikalsky krai.

Chita overview

Chita is a city in Russia, an administrative center of Zabaikalsky krai (region). The city is a large railway juncture located about 6,200 km from Moscow. Chita is situated in Baikal area, where the river Chita flows into Ingoda (the Amur basin). The city is a large industrial and cultural center of the country.

Chita city has the population of about 309,000 (2009) on the land area of 538 sq. km.

The phone code of the city is +7 3022; the postal codes are 672000-672049.

Chita city flag

Chita city flag

Chita city coat of arms

Chita city coat of arms

Chita city map, Russia


Chita history

Chita was founded by Pyotr Beketov who together with a troop of Cossacks built Ingodinskoye winter hut in the Chita mouth. The first permanent Russian settlement in this place appeared after 1675, till 1687 it was called Sloboda (a large village). In 1699 Chitinsky stockaded town was built, from 1821 - settlement of Chita. In 1827 the Decembrists were exiled to this place.

In 1851 the settlement received the status of a city and was renamed Chita, at the same time Chita became the center of Zabaikalskaya oblast (province) where there was the commandment of Zabaikalskaya Cossack army. After railway was constructed in 1900 Chita became a big transportation juncture and industrial center of Zabaikalye region.

During the Russian Revolution Chitinskaya Republic was declared in the city. Soviet power was established in the city in February 1918. From 1920 till 1922 Chita was the capital of Far Eastern Republic, from 1922 - the center of Zabaikalskaya gubernia. In 1926 Chita became a part of Far Eastern Republic, from 1937 - the center of Chitinskaya oblast. Since March 1st - the administrative center of Zabaikalsky kray (region).

Chita streets views

Chita city street view

Chita city street view

Author: Irina Kikavets

Chita city street

Chita city street

Author: Evgeny Abramenko

Chita Russia city street

Chita Russia city street

Author: Irina Kikavets


Chita features

There are over 7000 plants and various economic institutions, most of them are of private type, 8 institutions of higher education, 11 technical schools, 4 research institutes, 12 museums, 2 theaters on the territory of Chita city.

Due to its economical and geographical position which provides the shortest way from eastern regions of Russia, Eastern and Western Europe to China and South-Eastern Asia, Chita city has a lot of potential functions. The main partners of the city in its cultural life and economic interrelations as usually are China and Mongolia.

There are airports Kadala and Cheryomushki. Chita is a big railway juncture on Trans-Siberian railway. The administration of Zabaikalian railway is located in Chita, it controls the cargo freightage in the Republic of Buryatia, Zabaikalsky krai and Amurskaya oblast.

Chita city transportation includes trolley-buses, buses and minivans.

Chita city of Russia photos

Chita pictures

Chita city view

Chita city view

Author: Irina Kikavets

Chita city scenery

Chita city scenery

Author: V.Chokan

Chita city architecture

Chita city architecture

Author: Irina Kikavets


Chita sceneries

Chita city railway station

Chita city railway station

Author: Irina Kikavets

Chita city officers house

Chita city officers house

Author: Irina Kikavets

Chita city tank monument

Chita city tank monument

Author: V.Chokan


Chita places of interest

Chita city central square

Chita city central square

Author: Irina Kikavets

Chita city chapel

Chita city chapel

Author: Irina Kikavets

Chita city church

Chita city church

Author: V.Chokan