Lake Baikal has spawned many legends, puzzles and myths. Some of his secrets were discovered, but many of them are still filled with mysticism, sometimes bordering on historical reality. Interest in the lake does not dry up, rather, on the contrary, every year it attracts travelers from all over the world more and more. Many of them go directly to the tourist center of Pribaikalye, which Listvyanka has been recognized for many years. Baikal here at any time of the year reveals its charm and charm.
Tourist mecca
Listvyanka was called a tourist mecca on Lake Baikal. This is the most popular holiday destination, located an hour's drive from Irkutsk. There is no better starting point for traveling around the legendary Baikal. It is from Listvyanka that they go on fascinating cruises in the Pribaikalsky National Park, the famous Krugobaikalke, the Baikal-Lensky Nature Reserve.
The ancient Siberian village is often called the key to the great lake. Excursions along it invariably include an unforgettable journey to the widest source of the Angara River in the world , to the Shaman-stone, which has been surrounded by mysterious legends since ancient times.
Rest in Listvyanka on Lake Baikal will allow even for a short period of time to see many of the wonders of the lake, to enjoy its endless views from a bird's eye view. You don’t have to get bored here. Tourists will enjoy traveling on real dog teams, the best show programs with trained seals, extreme ice diving, visits to unique museums telling about life in Siberian villages in the 17th-19th centuries.
Village History
The coastal edges of the sacred lake at the source of the Angara began to be inhabited more than three hundred years ago. Initially, it was the winter houses of the Shamshurins and Natyaganovs, then a postal station, and in 1726 a water crossing across the lake was established here. The first mention of the settlement is found in notes of travelers of the 18th century. Numerous larches growing on the nearby Larch cape gave the name to the settlement that originated here - Listvyanka. Lake Baikal from the moment the village emerged becomes navigable, which was also greatly facilitated by the merchants Sibiryakov, Shigaev, Shishelov, Dudorovsky, Potapov and others.
Gate to Baikal
Listvyanka quickly grew, new marinas, warehouses, offices, hotels appeared. She became the main marina on the great lake. It is often called the gateway to Lake Baikal.
The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway revealed serious difficulties in the area of the lake, which led to the decision to build the first ferry railway crossing in Russia. For transportation of trains in England at the shipyard "Armstrong & Co." were ordered icebreakers ferries "Baikal" and "Angara". They continued to serve even after the construction of the Circum-Baikal Railway, until 1918. The ferry was destroyed during the Civil War.
Nowadays, trips around Lake Baikal are carried out on comfortable luxury liners equipped with the latest navigation systems, which are highly maneuverable, such as the two-deck ship Alexander Vampilov.
Baikal magic
Going on a trip around the lake is a dream of many. Few would give up fascinating adventures away from the gray haze of cities, endless deeds and eternal fuss. On Baikal, nature will appear in the form of beautiful meadows, mountains, taiga, clean air, crystal clear water, a bottomless blue sky. Majestic cliffs, amazing caves and grottoes, mysterious cave paintings, cozy bays and bays are fascinating. Having once visited Baikal, one cannot help but feel the magic of the great lake.
The most visited place here is Listvyanka. Baikal has a lot of interesting sights that attract tourists from all over the world. The central marina offers magnificent views of the natural wonder. In Listvyanka and its environs, unique historical monuments, parks, and entertainment complexes are concentrated.
"Baikal Odyssey"
Baikal cruises are recognized as the most popular and fascinating type of vacation. Traveling through the endless expanses of the lake in a special way allows you to experience all the power and unique energy of the Siberian land. This is a great chance to get acquainted with the most famous sights of the lake. Yes, and you can get to many islands, beautiful bays and bays only by water.
Holidays in Listvyanka on Lake Baikal will allow you to take one of these chances, since cruise routes usually start and end in the village. During the trip, ships enter the Sandy Bay, on the islands of Olkhon, Ogoy, pass through the Chivyrkuisky Bay, Kadilnaya Valley. Cruises are also organized in Irkutsk.
In the summer, for those who wish to travel around Lake Baikal in the circle of only close people, rental boats and motor ships are offered.
Sights of Listvyanka
Often, sights are surrounded by mysterious traditions and myths. This can be said about the St. Nicholas Church located in the valley of the Cross of the Cross, which the people nicknamed the "Traveling Church." Everyone knows the history of its creation in the village of Listvyanka. Baikal is famous for such monuments of nature and history. The church, according to legend, was erected with the money of the Siberian merchant Xenophon Serebryakov. At the beginning of the XIX century, he happened to suffer a disaster while sailing across the lake. He desperately prayed to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, for salvation, promising that if he could survive the storm, in gratitude he would build a temple on the shore of Lake Baikal. And a miracle happened! Serebryakov set up a chapel at the source of the Angara, and after the death of the merchant, his wife built a church in the village of Nikola. In 1848, the church was moved to Listvyanka. In 1956, the temple was returned to Krestovaya Pad due to the construction of the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station.
The legend of old Baikal and his meek daughter Angara is one of the most popular legends that can be heard in Listvyanka. Its sights, must-see, include the so-called Shaman-stone. This is the same piece of rock that was thrown in a fit of rage by Baikal after his beloved daughter Angara. Once, dancing between the mountains, she saw the mighty handsome Yenisei and fled from her father to her lover. The stone shaman is still considered sacred, and shamanism adherents claimed that the spirits of the lake inhabited the rock.
When sightseeing, you should not ignore the Baikal Museum, which holds unique expositions representing the flora and fauna of the lake, as well as the private art gallery of Vladimir Plamenevsky, which is also a creative summer residence for artists working here in the summer. In Listvyanka, a zoo and an aquarium with seals are also interesting.
The observation deck, located on Mount Cherskiy Kamen, offers beautiful views of the lake and the village. A cable car leads to the top. In winter, lovers of snowboarding and skiing gather on the mountain.
Pribaikalsky National Park
Listvyanka village on Lake Baikal is located in the territory of the Baikal Park. It covers a significant part of the western shore of the lake, including the island of Olkhon, and is one of the five largest national reserves of the country. In Listvyanka, the visitor information center of the park is concentrated. Its animal and plant worlds are extremely rich and represented by rare species, as well as endemic.
On the territory of the park there are more than 700 ethnographic monuments belonging both to the Paleolithic era and to the present. 52 objects are given the status of natural monuments. The most famous are the cave paintings of the Sagan-Zaba cliff.
A special attraction of the park is the Circum-Baikal Railway, which surpasses all other routes in the world in terms of saturation with engineering structures. Not only its architectural sights are interesting, but also its natural objects - amazing cliffs with outcrops of rare rocks and capes with bird nests. In order to see them, you just need to go on a trip around Circum-Baikal on a tourist train.
Sandy Bay
Peschanaya Bay, striking with its unusual landscapes, is considered to be a peculiar landmark of the park. It is here that you can see a natural phenomenon created by the power of the wind. These are the famous stilted trees standing on their roots at a height of 3 meters above the surface of the earth. Their exposure occurs as a result of blowing sandy soils by the winds. However, it still feels like the trees are resting and will soon continue their long journey again.
Unusual picturesqueness to the amazing natural ensemble of Peschanaya Bay is given by the so-called remnant rocks Hat, Buddha and others, rising above the taiga cover of the Primorsky Range.
Recreation centers and hotels
In Listvyanka, stretching for 5 kilometers along the coast of Lake Baikal, there are many hotels, bars, restaurants and entertainment complexes. Tourists come here from all over the world every year wishing to see a natural miracle. Choosing a place to stay here is not difficult, as comfortable hotel rooms are designed for various categories of visitors. In Listvyanka, you can enjoy privacy forever in the bosom of magnificent Siberian nature, but here it is absolutely impossible to get bored. At recreation centers and hotels, everyone will find everything they need for their soul and relaxation.
To create the necessary comfort so that vacationers strive to return to the village again and again, hotels of any level are ready, regardless of their type. And there are many of them in such a form as a guest house, chalet, private hotel or recreation center, Listvyanka. Baikal and recreation have long been for many Russians close concepts. A visit to the sacred lake gives a charge of vivacity and vivid impressions for the whole year. Therefore, often if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, tourists return to Listvyanka. Baikal (hotels, the prices at which are quite affordable, contribute very well to this) attracts all categories of vacationers. Rest at a high level is guaranteed to everyone. At the same time, the hotels of Lake Baikal are inherent in their special originality, individuality, and the presence of any of their own special "chips."
It is important that almost all recreation centers work for tourists all year round, such as, for example, the Baikal Hotel. Listvyanka is interesting at any time of the year. Highly qualified staff will always help with the organization and selection of exciting excursions, both walking and water. Tourists here can hunt and fish in plenty, in winter to ride snowmobiles, snowboards, skis and sledges. Many routes have been developed for outdoor enthusiasts, allowing you to merge with nature and fully enjoy the romance of travel.
The choice of a hotel largely depends on its location, pricing, comfort level, personal preferences. At the very source of the Angara is the Baikal Hotel. Listvyanka in this place is the most picturesque. Eastland Ski Complex and the Baikal Museum are just a 10-minute walk away. Prices for hotel accommodation - from 950 rubles. in low season and from 1550 rubles. in high.
Not far from the Holy Exaltation Church of St. Nicholas the Great is the "Cross Pad". This tourist base is located away from the main road. Its comfortable comfortable rooms, cozy wooden interiors allow you to relax from the bustle of the city and have a wonderful time riding horses, going on excursions or just basic walks.
A good option for relaxation will be the largest hotel on Lake Baikal - “Lighthouse”. The hotel and tourist complex is located in Listvyanka, directly opposite the main pier. Here you can rent a room for 1250 rubles per day and more expensive.
Superb location, great panorama in combination with comfort and services of the highest class attract tourists to the walls of the Legend of Baikal hotel. Listvyanka recently boasts of modern elite hotel complexes. Located in picturesque places in combination with all kinds of services and entertainment, they are places for a perfect holiday.
Port Baikal
Particularly popular on vacation won the water routes. The mooring of the village is the starting point of most of the waterways on the lake. The shortest of them carries out the ferry. Listvyanka, Baikal port separated only by the source of the Angara, the width of which is about a kilometer. Excursions to a small cozy village near Cape Baranchik are causing more and more interest among tourists. It is very different from the usual classic ports. Modest and inconspicuous in appearance, the village is a narrow strip of houses and a railway along the coast of the lake. The port is the terminal point of Circum-Baikal, which is one of its attractions along with the old railway station complex with office, industrial and passenger buildings. There is also a lighthouse and pier for icebreaker ferries.
The port has recently attracted more and more tourists seeking a peaceful and quiet holiday. Separation from civilization is a unique advantage over many places on the coast of the lake. However, comfort and high-class service can be found here, staying at the base of “Circum-Baikal”. The staff of the complex helps to organize trips around the lake region, including Listvyanka, nature parks and
nature reserves of Lake Baikal.Diving on Baikal
Diving enthusiasts Listvyanka is well known. Baikal (map presented in the article) in the vicinity of the village, especially in its north-eastern and western sides, it is simply replete with places for diving. They are protected from strong currents and are distinguished by an interesting relief rich in underwater flora and fauna. In the vicinity of Listvyanka, there are 10 dive sites, concentrated mainly in the source of the Angara. Their depth can reach 40 m, water temperature - from 3 to 12 degrees above zero. Clamps, Big Cats and some other dive sites can be reached by boat from Listvyanka.
In the Krugobaykalki area, if you wish, you can go on a fascinating adventure by doing wreck diving in the area of the sunken barge and the remains of the superstructure of a large ship.
During the dives, the amazing underwater world of Lake Baikal opens: canyons, vertical walls, stepped slopes. In May, when the ice begins to melt, a unique opportunity arises to observe accumulations of seals. They let people close enough to themselves, which gives a lot of pleasure to lovers of underwater shooting. Ice diving on Lake Baikal leaves an incredibly vivid impression. It seems to open the veil over the mystery of a completely different world with its intricate underwater ice formations, caves, grottoes and hummocks up to 8 m thick.
Baikal City
Tourism is the basis of the economy in Listvyanka. Its further development is planned with the attraction of foreign investment. A tourist center corresponding to the international level may appear in the village. According to the authors, the Baikal City project includes a cable car connecting Listvyanka and the Baikal port, fashionable hotels, ski resorts, a water park, restaurants, a congress hall, a casino, entertainment centers, and nightclubs. Listvyanka has the prospect of becoming a resort of world significance.
How to get to Listvyanka
The village is closest to Irkutsk. They are connected by a waterway and a land route along the Baikal tract (R-258 highway). Motor ships in Irkutsk depart from the Rocket pier, where they get by shuttle bus and regular bus from the city bus station.