The sights of Chita attract tourists from all over the country to the city. The Transbaikal region is known for its unique natural beauty, and its capital, Chita, is famous for its architectural monuments, museums, theaters and other cultural sites. When the city was just beginning to form, it was called a settlement without a population. At that time, the sights of the Trans-Baikal Territory were not known to Russians, and some of them had not yet appeared.
The exile of the Decembrists played an important role in the development of the city. Each Decembrist who came to Chita made some contribution to the cultural formation of the capital. Due to the small number of residents, there was an acute shortage of personnel in law enforcement agencies and the military sector. Later, the exiled revolutionaries began to build the Trans-Siberian Railway, which provided a connection between the remote town and the central part of Russia.
What is Chita famous for? Unique geographical location. Its remoteness made it possible not to participate in the destructive events that took place in Russia. This helped preserve many architectural monuments and historically significant places. A striking example is the building of the main post office, which is more than one hundred and thirty years old. The church in which the Decembrists took refuge was built in the eighteenth century.
Sights of Chita
There are many interesting corners in Chita. Many architectural monuments and museums are associated with the names of the Decembrists, exiled to Siberia for freethinking.
Visit a unique building – the Decembrists Museum-Church. The branch of the Transbaikal Museum of Local Lore presents to the general public hundreds of items related to the life of the Decembrists and the history of Chita.
The museum is located in a wooden church. The only two-altar church in Eastern Siberia, built of wood, has been preserved since 1776. Monument of Russian architecture.
Address: st. Dekabristov, 3b.
Ingoda River
It is on one of its banks that Chita itself is located. This river was first mentioned by explorers back in 1650. The length of Ingoda is more than 700 kilometers, the capacity of its basin exceeds 37 square meters. m.
This river flows from the Khentei Highlands. Replenishment of Ingoda's resources is carried out mainly due to precipitation. In winter, the surface of the river is covered with a thick layer of ice. In the warmer months Ingoda is navigable.
Chita has a huge number of other natural attractions. This city is surrounded by beautiful lakes and rivers. Protected areas will delight tourists not only with their beauty and diversity of flora and fauna. However, when traveling in the mountains, you should always remain vigilant and not go into the wilderness without an experienced guide.
Chita Museum of Local Lore
One of the oldest exhibitions in Transbaikalia. Visitors will see more than 160 thousand exhibits related to the history of Eastern Siberia, its nature and the cultural values of the peoples inhabiting the vast expanses of this harsh region.
In the halls of the museum, copies of paintings by Russian, Spanish and Italian painters are exhibited. The collection of antique Chinese porcelain is admirable. The museum building is an architectural monument.
Address: st. Babushkina, 113.
Transbaikal Regional Drama Theatre.
The first drama theater was formed back in 1937. She was fragile and changed her profile several times due to the peculiarities of the theater. Initially, it was a kind of musical group, but already in the 70s, it received a clear task and so classical music began to be introduced. Now the drama theater conducts its permanent activities in a beautiful, modern building.
Shumovsky Palace
One of the most prominent buildings in the city. The palace, built at the beginning of the 20th century, is richly decorated with stucco. The rich color of the walls in combination with snow-white stucco decorations gives the building a solemn and noble look.
The project of an elegant, luxurious building was awarded an architecture prize in Paris in 1911. Such a building could easily decorate the streets of the best capitals of the world. Chita residents are proud that their city was chosen to host this architectural masterpiece.
Address: st. Lenina, 84.
Baunt Lake
The Nizhnyaya Tsipa River, known to Chita residents, flows from this lake. Not far from it is the small village of Baunt and a weather station. This freshwater water source is home to more than 20 species of rare fish. In addition, tourists will be interested in the resort of the same name.
However, when visiting Baunt you need to be extremely careful. The fact is that its shores are predominantly rocky and represent cliffs. Inexperienced hikers may also encounter marshy areas.
Chapel of Alexander Nevsky
The small chapel features original wall decoration. A pleasant combination of white, yellow and green colors creates a festive, solemn mood.
The chapel, built in 2001, is located on Titovskaya Sopka. Local artists presented the temple with an icon of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky.
Address: Moskovsky tract
Heetai Cave
It is also called ice. By and large, these are two caves located next door. They are connected to each other by a narrow tunnel located underground. The total length of the Ice Cave is 190 meters.
As a rule, tourists are very surprised when they come here after the sun-scorched steppes of Transbaikalia. This icy kingdom truly fascinates all travelers. You need to be prepared for the fact that you will first need to overcome the icefall, which is 12 meters long. Only after this do tourists find themselves in a huge grotto, the ceiling height of which is approximately 12 meters.
The air temperature in the cave ranges from -7 to +0.8 degrees Celsius. The walls and ceilings of Heetai are decorated with intricate patterns of ice crystals. If water gets into the cave, it freezes in the most unusual forms, creating amazing natural sculptures. That is why this landmark is also often called the Patterned Cave by the Buryats.
There are a total of 4 grottoes in Heetai. The cave itself is two-tiered. On the first level, visitors will find a large funnel, the diameter of which is about 60 meters. Its depth exceeds 30 m.
Chita datsan
Most Russians have hardly seen a real Buddhist temple. Chita provides a unique opportunity to visit a corner of its original culture.
The monastery-university is a place of study and prayer for the Buryats in Russia. The grand opening of the Chita datsan took place in 2010.
A two-meter statue of Buddha Shakyamuni was brought as a gift to the temple from Ulan-Ude, where there are many Buddhist datsans-monasteries. Tourists will be interested in the interior design of the datsan, which differs from Orthodox churches.
Address: st. Bogomyakova, 72.
Kazan Cathedral
The main Orthodox church of the city. The solemn, beautiful building was built at the beginning of the 21st century.
The soft blue color of the walls and golden domes immediately attract the attention of tourists. The interior decoration is no less impressive.
Address: st. Butina, 6.
Wooden post office building
In the center of Chita, a building from the late 19th century has been preserved in good condition. The building has an interesting architecture: the central part with a small turret is adjacent to two symmetrical wings, separated by two-story stone vestibules. After the opening, a postal and telegraph office operated here for a long time.
The monument of urban planning, history and culture is included in all tourist routes in Chita. The building is pleasing to the eye and looks great in photos.
Address: st. Butina, 37.
Puppet theater “Far Far Away Kingdom”.
In general, this theater was created back in 1935, but then the artists did not have their own “roof over their heads” or a name. They received it only in 2009, as well as their theater building. But then it closed for reconstruction, which lasted six years. Since 2015, the theater began to operate at full capacity. Various types of puppets are used in the performance. All productions are aimed not only at children, but also at adult audiences.
Titovskaya Sopka
One of the main symbols of Chita. Just a few kilometers from the city center, a workshop site and burials from the Middle Ages were discovered.
Archaeologists have found here dozens of ancient tools, pits for quarrying stone, fire pits, and picks made from durable animal horns. On the walls there are cave paintings from the Bronze Age.
Address: st. Titovskaya Sopka.
All travelers who want to meet funny animals are invited to the city zoo. Until 1994, a small center operated in Chita, where goats, roe deer, peacocks and swan were kept in enclosures.
The city leadership decided to expand the territory of the zoo. Now, a kilometer from the center of Chita, you can visit a modern zoo, which is home to deer, bears, lions, peacocks, lynxes, camels and other animals and birds.
Address: st. Zhuravleva, 75.
Daursky Reserve
In 1997, this area received the official status of a protected area and today is part of the sites protected by UNESCO. The Daursky Nature Reserve has a continental climate. Summers here are very short, and winters are dry and cold. This area experiences strong fluctuations in daily and seasonal air temperatures. This explains the features of flora and fauna. Many animals and insects of the reserve are officially included in the Red Book.
It will be interesting to know that the wildlife of the protected area changes depending on the water level and the proximity of lakes. Subpolar birds and birds from drier and hotter areas fly here.
Monument to "Love and Loyalty"
In 2011, a wonderful monument was unveiled in the new park at the intersection of Stolyarov and Amurskaya streets. The sculptural group immediately fell in love with the townspeople and guests of Chita.
Architect Aram Grigoryan wanted with his sculptural composition to pay tribute to the wives of the Decembrists, who supported their husbands during a difficult period in their lives. The touching meeting of loving hearts leaves no one indifferent. Passers-by often stop near the monument.
Address: st. Decembrists.
Botanical Garden
The popular holiday destination occupies an area of 27 hectares. Hundreds of species of local and plant species from other regions, well acclimatized in the conditions of Transbaikalia, are collected here.
The landscape designers did a great job. It's a pleasure to spend time in the botanical garden. Paths are equipped, benches and lanterns are installed.
ODORA Park.
This is a favorite recreation park for local residents. And back in the 20th century, in its place there was an ordinary wasteland. Then, an exhibition of achievements in the field of agriculture in Transbaikalia was organized here. After several years, the area was ennobled, filled with beautiful statues, walking alleys, and attractions. A fountain, many benches for relaxation and a dance floor were installed in the park.
