Ulan-Ude city, Russia (Ulan Ude)

The capital city of Buryat republic.

Ulan-Ude city overview

Ulan-Ude city is the capital and administrative center of Buryatia Republic of Russia located in the eastern Siberia. Ulan-Ude city is standing on Uda river about 100 km from Baikal Lake and 5,640 km from Moscow.

Ulan-Ude city population - 373,000 (2007); land area - 348 sq. km.

Ulan-Ude city phone code - +7-3012; postal codes - 670000-670055.

Ulan-Ude city flag

Ulan-Ude city coat of arms

Ulan-Ude city map, Russia

Ulan-Ude city facts

Ulan-Ude city is an important railway junction because of its location on Trans-Siberian Railway between Chita and Irkutsk cities of Russia. There is also Trans-Mongolian Railway beginning in Ulan-Ude and going through Mongolia to China capital city Beijing.

Also Trans-Siberian Highway (M55) is going through Ulan-Ude city. It is the only highway to travel to Vladivostok direction. There are two airports in the city: Ulan-Ude main airport “Mukhino” and small airport “Vostochny”.

Ulan-Ude city features

Ulan-Ude had the status of “closed city” until 1991. The historical center of Ulan-Ude city has several mansions of Russian Empire times merchants built in Russian classicism style. There is also ethnographic museum giving the visitors various info about the people of Buryatia region.

The city is also known for unique statue of Lenin (Large head of Lenin) located on the central square. Ulan-Ude city is an important center of Siberian culture and history.

Ulan-Ude city history

First people settled in the area of present Ulan-Ude city were tribes of Evenks and Buryat Mongols. The city itself was founded by Russian Cossacks colonizing Siberia in 1666. The fortress received name Udinskoe meaning “standing on Uda river”.

The settlement was growing quickly because of its favorable geographical position and soon Udinskoe became an important trade center connecting Russia, China and Mongolia countries. In 1690 the settlement received the status of administrative center of Transbaikal region.

Udinskoe settlement received status of the town in 1775 with the new name - Udinsk. In 1783 the city was renamed again to Verkhneudinsk. The town was heavily damaged during the fire in 1878.

In 1900 the new period of growing began when Trans-Siberian Railway reached the town. From 1880 to 1939 the population of the city grew from 3,500 to 126,000. In 1934 the city received its current name Ulan-Ude meaning “red Uda” (“red gate” from Buryat people language).