Two museums in Tunkinsky National Park give Kyren a distinct cultural focus, while emphasizing different aspects. The National Park Museum features interactive exhibitions on the ethnoculture of the Tunkinsky Buryats around the turn of the 20th century, accompanied by the “Altan bulag” folk ensemble. The “Prirody i cheloveka” Museum was established in June 2018 to collect, preserve and study the district’s rich history and culture. Its exhibitions present archaeological and mineralogical monuments, rare plant species found in the national park, everyday objects from archaeological excavations, ecological collections and archival documents. The first museum focuses on a specific period; the second brings together natural and cultural objects, ecological collections and archival materials.
An excursion starting in Kyren
The national park’s “V gostyakh u kochevnika” excursion begins at the park’s administration and museum complex at 69 Lenina Street in Kyren. The national park lists it as a year-round offering. Check the specific date directly with the park before making plans, as no set schedule is provided. This lets you consider which exhibition topic suits you separately from planning the excursion date.
Republic of Buryatia: landscapes and routes
Landscapes and routes are also among the possible themes for a trip to the wider destination of the Republic of Buryatia. Since 1916, the Barguzinsky Nature Reserve has protected the northeastern shore of Lake Baikal and its taiga slopes. Tunkinsky National Park has eight tourist routes and four ecological trails, including driving, hiking, water and horseback routes. The different ways of getting around offer different options when choosing a route. Numbers and availability may change, so check the latest details with the park.
Museums and cultural sites in the Republic of Buryatia
In Ulan-Ude, the Museum of Nature of Buryatia has more than 2,000 exhibits across five halls and features the “Zvezdny dom Buryatii” digital planetarium. The “Puteshestvie po Buryatii” guided tour of the halls is offered on a permanent basis in Russian and Buryat. The “V gostyakh u Eroshki” live nature exhibition is also a permanent offering. It introduces children to exotic birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles, as well as mammals from Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Before your trip, it is advisable to check the latest visitor information for the tour and exhibition.
The Ethnographic Museum of the Peoples of Transbaikalia in Ulan-Ude features residential and settlement complexes of the Pre-Baikal and Trans-Baikal Buryats, Evenks, Soyots, Old Believers and Russian old settlers. Visitors can also try national sports and take part in interactive guided tours. These activities complement the residential and settlement complexes described above.
Another cultural landmark in the Republic of Buryatia is the Ivolginsky Datsan (Khambyn Sume), a large Buddhist monastery complex in the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga. It is described as a centre of Russian Buddhism. The body of Pandito Khambo Lama XII Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov, described as imperishable, is kept there. The more than 2,000-year-old Gunne hillfort is also located in the Ivolginsky District of the Republic of Buryatia.
Discover more destinations: Zakamensk, Selenginsk, Petropavlovka, Kurumkan, Poselye, Kabansk, Turka, Novaya Bryan'.
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