The Kyakhtinsky region

The region is situated in the south of Buryatia on the wavy height crossed by the chain of mountain ranges (the Kalinov, Basaltov, Burgutuysky, Malkhansky) and borders on Mongolia. The ranges cross deep valleys of the rivers Selenga and Chikoy with their tributaries.

The population of the region is about 44 thousand people. Mainly they are the Russians and Buryats, and also "Karymy”- descendants from the mixed Russian-Buryat marriages. The part of the settlements located along the Russian - Mongolian border, is the place of residing of Cossacks.

In total there are 42 settlements, among them is 1 town (Kyakhta) and 2 settlements (Naushki and Chikoy) The distance from Ulan-Ude to the town of Kyakhta is 235 kms.

The economy of the region is mainly agricultural. The transport network here is developed, through the region passes a part of the railway, and also a highway of Ulan-Ude - Ulan Bator, a motorway on the right bank of the Chikoy-river leads to the Chitinskaya oblast.

In the town of Kyakhta and settlement of Naushki two customs transitions of the Russian - Mongolian border function. The region has the rich historical past, its nature sanctuaries, history and culture cause great interest among visitors.

The territory of the region contains basically steppe and forest-steppe landscapes and low mountains which distinguishes it from mountain and coastal areas of Buryatia. These landscapes are typical for Siberia, and at the same time they have the unique image. The Selenga and Chikoy rivers are convenient for navigation of tourist vessels, merging, these rivers form a wide, spacious arrow which looks very attractively.

The “Historical city of Russia” Kyakhta occupies a special place in the region, known within 200 years as the main centre of the Russian - Chinese trade in the east of the country. Nowadays it is an administrative centre of the region.

The resort Kiran situated 30 kms far from Kyakhta is known for its unique medical muds.

The Kyahtinsky region is a territory where plenty of archaeologic monuments have been kept, many of which are connected with the epoch of the first in the Central Asia, State of Hunnu. Unique samples of material culture of that period were found here, now they are stored in the museums of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude and Kyakhta.

On the territory of the region the first in Zabaikalye Buddhist temple – the Murochinsky datsan was constructed.

It is convenient to travel by car around the region,as it allows to visit all main sights within 2-5 days. For those who make travels to Mongolia, especially interesting are historical monuments of the town of Kyakhta. Acquaintance with them allows to learn the history of this extensive territory better, and also personally to see the special world created for many years due to mutual penetration of two cultures - European and Asian.