Barguzinsky Valley ... A lot of legends and legends are composed about these truly amazing places. Here, around every turn, sacred sources await you, and any stone has miraculous power. All this attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists who find help here in solving vital issues and problems or simply enjoy their vacation, fueled by the energy of a fabulously picturesque nature.
Let us go on this fascinating journey to get acquainted with some of the features and sights of the Barguzin Valley. And for starters, turn the pages of the book of time and find out the history of this place.
The mystery of the name
The name of the valley comes from the local word "bargut", meaning "outskirts", "wilderness". That was the name of the Mongolian tribe that inhabited the valley earlier and represented one of the well-known Mongolian ethnic groups. The country of Bargujin-Tukum (the end of the world) was often mentioned in the "Secret Legend of the Mongols", the early annals of Mongolian history. It contains information that the mother of the legendary historical figure - Genghis Khan, was from these places, and in the 12th century the Bargut tribes did not fight against Genghis Khan and even supplied soldiers for his army. Even today you can see evidence of the stay of this ancient people - numerous antiquities, irrigation canals and rock inscriptions. Bargujin-Tukum was a fairly vast region, rich in fast rivers and impenetrable forests, and the name of this land, able to capture the imagination of man, was given a very poetic: "Tukum." It is believed that this word originally meant a picturesque bend covered in virgin forests.
Transferred in antiquity to this colorful land, it, together with the name Bargujin, created a sonorous and memorable name - Bargujin-Tukum, which these places were supposedly from the XII to the end of the XIV century. Gradually, the lands that were part of this territory began to acquire their own names, and it began to be erased from the memory of people. In the 16th century, the toponym was no longer used, but it still lives in the name of the Barguzin Valley, which once made up the outskirts of the country of Barguzin-Tukum.
Geographical Information
The Barguzinsky Valley is famous for its numerous mineral springs and picturesque rocks on the slopes of the Ikat Range. It is located in a hollow and has a length of 200 km with the widest part of 35 km in the vicinity of the village of Barguzin. The total area is about three thousand hectares, and two hundred of them are occupied by the national Dzherginsky nature reserve, founded in August 1992.
Currently, there are 1208 species of animals, including 1,003 invertebrates, 8 fish, 3 amphibians, 5 reptiles, 146 birds and 43 species of mammals. Flora includes about 1170 species. From the slopes of the hills surrounding the valley, the Barguzin River, the third largest tributary of Lake Baikal after the Selenga and Upper Angara, draws its strength. The river valley stretches for 416 kilometers. In the northwest, the valley borders on the very steep Barguzin Alps (2840 m) and less steep (2558 m), forested slopes of Ikat. The mountainous part of the valley attracts many tourists and climbers. There are good walking paths along the valleys of mountain rivers to mountain passes and peaks with numerous waterfalls, ice cards and lakes. The mountain ranges are covered with dense forest taiga with a predominance of cedar pine. Here you can also find rhododendron and leather bergenia on grass-covered thickets. At the bottom of the Barguzinsky ridge along the banks of the Barguzin river passes an asphalt highway. The valley is inhabited and well developed. The population is about 30,000 people, of which 30% are Buryats.
Well then - let's start our journey
Railways do not lead to the Barguzinsky Valley, and with ordinary roads it’s quite difficult - there is only asphalt in places, and gravel often blurs. However, in these fabulous places you will find so many incredible adventures and impressions that they will more than cover any difficulties or inconveniences that may occur along the way. You can get here by bus or car from Ulan-Ude (6-8 hours on the way) or Irkutsk (10-12 hours on the way). At the beginning of the journey, sin will not take advantage of the magical powers that assist in all endeavors, and will not ask for good luck while you are in this amazing place.
Gateway to the Valley
On the eastern coast of Lake Baikal in the Barguzin Valley there is a unique natural monument - a granite boulder called "Stone Turtle". This is a special energy place, and here you can make a wish, ask for healing and forgiveness.
In the distance you can see the contours of the Holy Nose Peninsula - the location of many cultural heritage sites. Old-timers say that it is from here that the Barguzinsky Valley begins.
Yanjima
Behind the village of Barguzin, the paved roadway approaches the Barguzinsky ridge, and the Ulyunsky eye spring beats next to the road. Its water improves metabolic processes, stimulates appetite, treats eye diseases and colds. According to legend, in these stunning mountains of grandeur, next to the village of Yarikto, located at the foot of the Barguzinsky ridge, the Buddhist goddess Yanzhima descended into the Barguzinsky Valley. Miraculously, the face of the goddess appeared in the spring of 2005 on a large boulder and was discovered by a group of lamas who were looking for Buddhist relics hidden during the repressions in the thirties in this place. After the monks saw a rock with a miraculous divine image during meditation, they consecrated this place and held a prayer service. In honor of the goddess in the middle of the forest built a secluded datsan. Yanjima, also known as Sarosvatya, is the goddess of wisdom and arts, the assistant to women and the patroness of motherhood. She is often portrayed as dancing with a mine in her hands (this is an ancient Indian instrument). Many people have a question about how to get to Yanzhima in the Barguzin Valley. Regular buses run from Ulan-Ude daily or you can join a tourist group, because this place is very popular, and many travel agencies organize tours with the provision of transport and a guide.
What is being asked from Yanjima
Pilgrims come here from all over Buryatia to ask for happiness in their personal lives and children. To the sacred stone you need to take a hadak with you - this is what Buddhist ritual silk scarves are called. You can buy them on the spot for one dollar. The whole forest near the sacred place is tied with colorful ribbons, and on the wooden altar you can see Barbie and Ken, and parts of the Lego constructor.
Those who want to ask children are recommended to bring a doll with them and put them in a rocking chair, equipped in the datsan, and after going around and stretching, take the doll with them. It is very important to immediately go home, without going anywhere along the road, otherwise the child may be born in a family where you will stay and you will return with nothing. They say that not everyone can see the face of the goddess, and if this happens, the desire is not destined to come true. However, the main thing is to believe and open your heart towards a sacred place called Yanzhima (Barguzinsky Valley). The reviews of people who have been here indicate that many found what they were looking for and dreamed about for many years.
Barkhan-Ula
98 km from Barguzin, in the north-west of the Barguzin valley, the village of Kurumkan is located. Here is the Kurumkansky datsan - these are three temples of Dugan, in which four lamas are serving. There are several secluded houses for pilgrims, which are rarely empty, because many are looking for answers to vital questions in these places. It is not without reason that they call this place “Little Tibet” - the powerful beauty of nature with snow-capped peaks of high mountains and the emerald valley of the Barguzin River helps people achieve inner harmony and recharge their batteries. Even just looking at the photos of the Barguzin Valley, you can feel the greatness and uniqueness of these places. Nearby is the sacred mountain Barkhan-Ula, where, according to legend, once lived the legendary ancestor of the Buryats - Bargu-bator.
According to legend, in Buryatia and Mongolia there are five main subdaks - places where the supreme spirits live, and Barkhan-Ula - one of them. It is believed that one who climbs a mountain, for a year will establish a connection with the mysterious power of this place and become invincible. Women are not recommended such an ascent, since, according to legend, after that they will not be able to give birth to a boy, and in the worst case, they can generally remain childless. But do not be upset, because you already know a place in the Barguzinsky Valley, which will gladly open its arms to the fair sex and is one of the most revered places of Russian Buddhists - Yanzhima.
Alla Village
These are six streets on which less than a thousand people live. The village is famous throughout Buryatia for its healing mineral springs and thermal waters. A small resort is even built here, which operates only in the summer, and at other times of the year local residents are ready to provide a shelter (a bed, breakfast and dinner will cost you 930 rubles per day). Waking up, you can admire the Barguzinsky ridge. Guests here will be greeted with freshly salted fish from the Alla River and will certainly be treated to white food, which is considered sacred, so you can’t eat it with a fork - only a spoon. It is obtained by heating sour cream, to which, when boiling, add flour and mix thoroughly. It tastes like tender, unsalted cheese. They say that the inhabitants of Alla make the most delicious sour cream, which is sold here at a price of 265 rubles per kilogram. After relaxing in the village and gaining strength, you can begin acquaintance with the main attraction of these places - the healing hot springs of the Barguzinsky Valley, which are called Arshan.
Alla River and Allinsky Arshan
At the entrance you will be greeted by the owners of these places - two majestic cliffs guarding the entrance to the gorge of fabulous beauty. Friendly Evenks and Buryats will be happy to tell you the legend of the two rocks Buraltar and Sahiltar as images of warlike horses of two brothers born in heaven. These brothers are considered the owners of these places, and the locals believe that they protect the peace and beauty of the area. According to tourists, this is one of the most beautiful places on earth, where from the majestic panorama of a mountain gorge with a stormy rapid river at the bottom, it is simply breathtaking.
The river falls from the mountains with waterfalls and calms closer to the valley, but a measured growl reminds of its recalcitrant disposition. Along the shores is a pine forest. In the river valley, there are more than fifty hot springs with temperatures from 50 to 77 degrees. The composition of the healing water is sulfate-bicarbonate-sodium. In addition to solving problems with the musculoskeletal system, Alla Arshan also cures diseases of the nervous system, gynecological and skin diseases.
The spirit of Allin arshan
Buryats believe that every road, mountain or river has its own owner, and these spirits of the area are called ezhimy. It is better to be friends with them, otherwise they can either pierce the wheel, or knock them out of the way, or do some other troubles. Allin arshan also has its own master spirit. According to legend, the sources of the Barguzin Valley can be of benefit only to those who are able to establish contact with them. Therefore, everyone comes here with offerings - white food and vodka in milk. All the holy places of shamanism became sacred in Buddhism, so in the arshan you can see statuettes of the Buddha.
Kuchiger thermal springs
These truly miraculous in their power sources are widely known and popular since the 19th century. Water combined with sludge forms dirt with unique characteristics. Every year, many people come here from different parts of Russia to take mud baths, the healing properties of which are legendary. This is evidenced by crutches and sticks, which people leave here as evidence of their healing.
Water composition: sulfate, sodium, high fluorine hydrogen carbonate, hydrogen sulfide, silicon dioxide, pH 7.2-8.2. The water temperature is 46-47 ° C. Thermal sources have shown effectiveness in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological and skin diseases, as well as the peripheral nervous system.
Opportunities for tourists in the Kurumkansky district
In the northern part near the Barguzin River, you can find excellent hunting spots in the Barguzin Valley. Special tours are organized, which include accommodation in hunting wooden houses, 3 meals a day, as well as providing cross-country transport and boats. Here they hunt bears, wolves, foxes, wild boars. An additional bonus will be the opportunity to fish for grayling and the local fish species - lenok.
Many climbers are attracted by the Barguzinsky mountain range - a huge mountain country with alluring peaks, rocky slopes, canyons and glaciers. Here you can climb to the top with the name Baikal (2481 m) - the highest place among the mountain ranges surrounding Lake Baikal. This is a unique place with a wonderful panoramic view of the central and northern parts of the famous reservoir, the Barguzin valley, the Ikat and Baikal ranges. The Kurumkansky district, without a doubt, has excellent prospects for the development and promotion of mountaineering.
In conclusion
These are far from all the sights of the Barguzin Valley that this magical picturesque land is ready to share, hiding alluring secrets and unprecedented gifts. Fashionable spa resorts are usually built in such places, but here wooden houses without amenities and instead of thermal baths are pavilions with a paid roof. But believe me, this does not in the least reduce the high value of the healing properties of this truly living water, which gives health and restores strength. Unfortunately, even the best photos of the Barguzin Valley cannot convey the true beauty and grandeur of this region. Here you will find many stunning discoveries and sincere emotions - the unique pristine nature of these places will give peace and harmony to your soul, and the locals will please with cordiality and hospitality.