|
ChitaChita is far less known than Buryatia as a tourism destination, but deserves the attention of travelers interested in authentic experiences. Chita shares a lack of transportation links with other regions in middle Russia. It is either some 43 hours on the Trans Siberian Express to and from Khabarovsk or 4 hours by small AN-24, flights operating on Mondays and Fridays or you can fly to and from Moscow. If you travel there from Irkutsk it is 18 hours by Trans Siberian Railroad and from Ulan Ude only ten. Chita is a quaint and interesting Soviet style city that offers broad boulevards and an interesting European style of architecture in the downtown area. Most of its development occurred when the Decembrists moved to the region. They were well educated and spent a lot of time and effort to educate its citizenry. Hence the city turned into one of the biggest trading centers in Siberia. Even European countries were exporting to Chita. But in the 1930's Chita closed its doors because, like so many cities in Siberia, its manufacturing capabilities and natural resources were needed for the purposes of war. After the war Chita was a closed city because of its proximity to China. The Decembrist Museum also known, as the Mikhailo-Arkhangelskaya Church is a two story wooden building built in 1771 out of larch logs, and is considered one of the most significant local monuments of wooden architecture. A new Russian Orthodox Cathedral is being built directly opposite the train station with 5 large cupolas, a bell tower, and space for 2,000 worshipers. The external construction is expected to finish in the late 2005. The new Catholic Church on Mostavaya Street near the Chita River, with its modern style and stark white appearance, stands in marked contrast to the old wooden and brick buildings surrounding it. Other buildings with interesting architectural features can be found on Anoxin Street. The city offers quite a choice of accommodations although we definitely would recommend the Panama Hotel located somewhat outside of the town, about fifteen minutes by car or taxi. What makes this property so attractive is that it has three great restaurants, which offer authentic Buryat, Chinese and western cuisine in addition to being a western style hotel. Close by the city alongside the Chinese border is the Aginsk Buryat Autonomous Okrug offering an interesting side trip from Chita. It takes approximately three to four hours to get there by car or bus. The Aginsky Datsan was founded in 1811 and is an elaborately decorated three-story building. An additional temple devoted to Sakyauni Buddha was added to the Aginsky Datsan in the 1960's. For much of the nineteenth century it was known worldwide for its Buddhist and Tibetan engravings. In 1993, the school of Tibetan medicine was established in the monastery and now employs about 40 people. The datsan is very colorful and the Buryat monks will gladly spend time with you and share their ideas and activities with you. There is a great small hotel nearby also offering a wonderful ambiance and excellent dinners. National parks are very important assets in the development of ecotourism. National Park zoning allows a wide range of commercial and recreational activities. The National Park's emphasis in Russia is on environmental education. National parks also are extremely valuable to local and regional populations and are used mostly by the local population for recreation. There are two national parks in Chita: the Chikoysky and Alkhanai National Parks. Activities taking place in the park usually include hiking, fishing, camping and other outdoors activities. Parks are regulated by the regional government and obtain funds for operations both from the regional government and through entrance and other fees levied on tourism operations. The Alkhanai National Park, as many parks in Zabaikalya, includes various important monuments related to Buddhism. It is located a five hour drive from Chita and offers wooden lodging, yurts and tent camps for overnight lodging. Hiking is convenient along an already-existing trail with stops at a number of Buddhist monuments. There is also fishing available in the nearby river. The park in the summer is very crowded and needs to either expand its acreage or reduce its visitation. Chita's nature preserves offer some of the best ecotourism experiences. For example, the Daursky Reserve (near the Mongolian border) is famous for its birds; specifically the preserve focuses on crane research, as it is home to the Daurian cranes. Wild herds of camels also roam the area and visitors often encounter them. The preserve is located 300 kilometers south of Chita and about 30 km from the settlement of Nova Tsascuhey, which houses its headquarters. A large part of the preserve is occupied by the Torey Lakes. The lakes are a gathering place of many species of rare aquatic birds. The reserve can only be visited on request, and only while accompanied by a trained ornithologist provided by the reserve management. The Sokhondinsky Preserve is on the border of the Siberian Taiga and the Asian steppe. The center of the preserve is Mount Sokhondo (2,504 meters). There are accommodations in cabins with showers in the Zapovednik and ecotours are possible from June through September. In general zapovedniks (preserves) are restricted from developing ecotourism activities unless they take place in the buffer zone. Even then, the accent of development is on science, rather than tourism. While in general ecotourism emphasizes education, the Russian interpretation puts emphasis on science. Flying by small plane from Chita to Novaya Chara in the north of the region takes a few hours, with flights leaving once or twice weekly. Another approach is possible along the railroad, either from Chita or along the BAM from Severobaikalsk. Either route takes a minimum of 15 hours. The Chara region opens up other Chita discoveries, the striking Kodar Mountains, Chara Sand dunes and the absolutely pristine lakes and rivers. The Kodar Mountains are best visited in June, when the snow is just melting, or late August/ early September. There are various indigenous villages of Evenk people in the Kodar region and well-preserved gulag camps dating from the Stalin era.
World Wise Expeditions, © 2000 Far East Development |
