Unique, beautiful and rich, Lake Baikal, situated in the center of Asia, takes a special place among all the beauties of Siberia. Often mistaken for a sea because of its size, Russia’s Lake Baikal is the deepest and oldest lake in the world, which image arises in legends, tales, novels and ballets. It is wildly known not only in Russia, but also abroad and it has enjoyed special universal attention for a couple of decades.
In 1996 this amazing creation of nature was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming a reserve of world importance. Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake by volume, holding about 20 percent of the world’s unfrozen surface fresh water with more water than all of the North American Great lakes combined.
Lake Baikal is famous for its crystal clear waters and spectacular wildlife. At present, there are more than 2630 species of plants and animals in Lake Baikal, with more than two third of the wildlife being endemic to the area. One of the highlights of the Baikal treasures is the Baikal seal, the only seal in the world living in fresh water.
The lake is a photographer’s paradise, as it’s amazing four seasons a year, especially in March, when due to a natural phenomenon the temperature, wind and sun cause the ice crust to crack and form exclusive turquoise blocks of ice hummocks on the lake’s surface.
Apart from photography, there are many other reasons that make people flock to this wondrous place. They include a variety of activities, from trekking and boat sailing, to diving and deep water fishing, to skiing and riding a snowmobile during the winter months, as well as a wealth of attractions, some of which we’ll introduce in today’s post.
Lake Baikal Tourist Attractions
Listvyanka Village
A small Russian settlement on the shore of the lake, which is the best destination for the first acquaintance with Baikal, Listvyanka Village is a popular recreation area and departing point of most voyages here. The area is home to many places of interest, but what you should never miss out when visiting it are Baikal Museum, Baikal Astrophysical Observatory, St. Nicholas Church and ‘Chersky Cliff’ Observation Deck. Those visiting the village with kids, can take them to the famous ‘Eastland’ Ski Center, or else see Baikal Seal Show, which guarantees a memorable experience. More adventurers can try dog sledding and ice fishing, along with cycling on the frozen lake.
Khakusy
Far away at the north of Baikal, accessed either by boat or helicopter, one can find the awe-inspiring Khakusy, a combination of Siberian taiga forest, white and gold sandy beach and thermal mineral waters that treat the diseases of circulatory, vascular, and endocrine systems, as well as hypertension. The place is characterized by its wealth of rare trees, plants and flowers, including juniper and dwarf birch.
Shumak Spring Valley
Another must-see attraction on your Baikal vacations visited by more than 3 thousands of people every year, the wild Shumak Springs represent a unique nature phenomenon. Situated at a height of 1600 meters, Shumak Springs, which are one of the youngest and most remote mineral springs on earth, are said to have healing powers, each with a different healing effect and each with a different taste. The spectacularly beautiful nature of Shumak is sure to take your breath away: rapid rivers with waterfalls, ice lakes, snow-covered peaks of the eastern Sayan Mountains and more.
Sandy Bay
Unique and exceptionally beautiful thanks to its unusual cliffs and their evergreen cedar trees, the Sandy Bay is again a not-to-be-missed getaway when considering the best Baikal attractions. It is found on the territory of the Pribaikalsky National park and is a reserved area where nature is pristine and untouched. This is an ideal getaway for family holidays.
With all these and more it’s no wonder why the lake is admiringly sung by poets, and visited by masses of tourists who come to delight the nature of the lake, drink tasty water right from the lake and breathe its crispy and healthy air.