The Circum-Baikal Railway is the name used during the construction (1899-1905) and in the first years of operation of the 260 km section of the Trans-Baikal Railway. Today, this is a dead end section of Slyudyanka II – Baikal, 89 kilometers long. It is located about 70 km south of Irkutsk and runs along the shore of Lake Baikal.

This railroad has no equal in Russia by the number of engineering structures. Its tunnels and stone galleries are unique. Built according to non-standard projects, they were not rebuilt in subsequent years, retaining the original plan of architects and engineers of the early 20th century. Photos by: Mikhail Tilpunov.

amazing train ride

Tags: Irkutsk oblast · Russian Empire

Today, in the world there are only about 800 representatives of the indigenous Siberian nation of the Tofalars. Once nomads, most of them live compactly in three villages in the Nizhneudinsky district of the Irkutsk region.

This very beautiful and isolated mountainous region located in the Eastern Sayan mountain system in the south of Siberia is called Tofalaria. You can get to it only by air. Tofalaria on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over Tofalaria

Tags: Irkutsk oblast

If you are going to visit Lake Baikal in the Irkutsk region, you should definitely take part in the following trip – a train ride along the shore of Baikal on the historical part of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The Circum-Baikal Railway was the most complex and expensive part of the Trans-Siberian Railway of the Russian Empire. Today, it has become a place for a unique guided tour. Photos by: Alexander Belenkiy.

an amazing journey

Tags: Irkutsk oblast

It took Stas Tolstnev more than two years to film this beautiful time-lapse video clip about Lake Baikal – the purest and deepest lake on our planet. Baikal looks especially wonderful in winter.

Tags: Buryat Republic · Irkutsk oblast

Baikal is a lake of tectonic origin located in the southern part of Eastern Siberia, the deepest lake in the world (1,642 meters) and the largest natural reservoir of fresh water (19%).

It is situated in the center of Asia, on the border of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia. The lake stretches from the southwest to the northeast for 620 km in the form of a giant crescent. The width of the lake is in the range of 24 to 79 km.

amazing scenery

Tags: Buryat Republic · Irkutsk oblast

During freeze-up (usually from the beginning of January till early May) Lake Baikal freezes completely, except for a small area of ​​15-20 km length located in the source of the Angara River.

By the end of winter, ice thickness on the lake reaches 1 m, and in bays – 1.5-2 m. During severe frosts, cracks break ice on separate fields. The length of cracks is about 10-30 km, the width – 2-3 m.

mysteries of Baikal ice

Tags: Buryat Republic · Irkutsk oblast

Lake Baikal, located in Irkutsk region and Buryatia Republic, is known not only because it is the deepest lake in the world and the largest natural reservoir of fresh water, but also for its fantastically beautiful ice fields formed in winter time. The photos were taken by Anton Petrus.

magnificent ice of Lake Baikal

Tags: Buryat Republic · Irkutsk oblast

Baikal is a lake of tectonic origin located in the southern part of Eastern Siberia (Irkutsk region and Buryat Republic). It is the deepest lake in the world (maximum depth – over 1600 meters) and the largest natural reservoir of fresh water.

The lake and coastal areas feature a unique variety of flora and fauna. Baikal is one of the most beautiful lakes in Russia. The photos were taken by Anna Anikina.

stunningly beautiful scenery

Tags: Buryat Republic · Irkutsk oblast · landscapes

Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world located in eastern Siberia (on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia and Irkutsk region). It is the largest reservoir of fresh water on our planet.

Because of the large size (more than 23 thousand square km), Baikal is often called the sea. The greatest depth of the lake is 1642 meters. Photos by Stepanov Slava

fly over Baikal

Tags: Buryat Republic · Irkutsk oblast

Peschanaya (Sandy) Bay is one of the most beautiful and well-known places on Baikal Lake. Unique taiga slopes with picturesque groups of rocks together with a clean sandy beach of semicircular form (length – 750 meters, width – 15-20 meters) are very picturesque.

The only way to reach this place is to go by water from Listvyanka or Irkutsk. In July and August, you can swim in the lake though the water is pretty cool (about plus 13 degrees Celsius). Peschanaya Bay on Google Maps. Photos by borh_84

a lovely place to stay

Tags: Irkutsk oblast · landscapes