SIGHTINGS OF THE BURYATIA
BARGUZINSKY VALLEY
BARGUZINSKY VALLEY
Barguzinskaya valley, unique due to its beauty of landscapes, riches of natural
complexes, history, and culture is considered to be one of the most perspective
tourist directions of the Baikal region. The way from lake Baikal to the
Barguzinsky range, springs and resorts of Kurumkansky region cross this valley.
Experts of the World Bank included it into the number of the most optimum
ecotourist territories, and authors of the international Russian-American
project "The Complex program of policy of land tenure for the Russian territory
of water basin of lake Baikal" (“Project of Davis”, 1993ã.) offered to transform
the valley into the national park.
The valley gradually becomes a relatively independent tourist area, closely
adjoining to another tourist area – Podlemorye. These areas are closely
connected in nature, geography, economy and recreational activities, they have
one common tourist centre - the settlement of Ust-Barguzin through which
tourists travel in different directions. The tourist specialization of the
Barguzinskaya valley is active tourism in the Barguzinsky mountain range
(hiking, skiing, rafting, mountaneering etc.), water tourism on the river
Barguzin and its tributaries, health-improving tourism with the use of hot and
cold mineral waters, nature-cognitive and cultural - cognitive excursions, rural
tourism and ecological tourism.
The picturesque nature, comparatively warm climate, the fertile lands attracted
people long since.The name of the valley, and also the name of the river
Barguzin originated from the name of the Bargut tribes who used to inhabit the
valley, that was the northern frontier areas of the country Bargudzhin-Tukum.
The valley has a great number of cult (sacred) places belonging to different
tribes and peoples.
The annals of the Barguzinskaya valley abound with events. Some of them are
described by historians and regional specialists, the information about others
is contained in legends. One of the main relics of northern Buddhist world -
mountain Baraghan is located here. The Buddhist datsans and orthodox temples
were built in the valley. Before the October revolution Barguzin used to be the
place where the imperial government of Russia banished the political opponents
among whom there were also the Decembrists. Barguzinskaya valley is closely
connected with the history of gold mining in Transbaikalye. Gold was mined in
taiga and sent to the centre of Russia and to Israel. Copper also was found
here. During Civil war the valley was the place where the partisans’ groups were
formed which resisted the army of ataman Semyonov. According to one of the
versions the ashes of a great Hungarian poet - revolutionary Shandora Petefi lay
here.
The valley is located in the intermountain hollow on which the river Barguzin
flows. Along this river aside Baikal lake from time to time blows the wind
Barguzin, which is mentioned in the well-known song “Glorious sea - sacred
Baikal”. In the middle of mountainous taiga extensive steppes with typical
steppe plants are located. The significant areas are occupied with meadows, bogs
and plots of sand. There are also some mineral springs which are known for their
high medical properties.
The valley of the Barguzin-river is bordered by two mountain ranges: the
Barguzinsky and the Ikatsky. The ranges are covered with thick forest - taiga.
Adjacent plots of the Barguzinsky, Ikatsky and Severomuysky mountain ranges are
connected with passes; it creates opportunities for the organization of tourist
routes different on complexity.
Barguzinskaya valley has some sights the part of which are considered to be
nature sanctuaries. Its territory is the place of functioning of especially
protected natural territories as the Dzherginsky reserve and the Ulyunsky
reserve. According to the present administrative arrangement of the Republic
Buryatia the Barguzin valley is divided into two regions: the Barguzinsky region
with the settlement of Barguzin in its centre and the Kurumkansky one with the
centre in the settlement of Kurumkan.
The extension of the Barguzinskaya valley is 230 kms, the final settlements are
the settlement of Ust-Barguzin located 270 kms far from Ulan-Ude, and a local
resort Umkhey (on the territory of Kurumkansky region) located 500 km far from
Ulan-Ude. The motorway Ulan-Ude – Umkhey (the Barguzinsky highway) has asphalted
and unmetalled plots. It passes at the bottom of the Barguzinsky mountain range
along the right bank of the Barguzin-river. There is a bus service between
settlements of Barguzinskaya valley and Ulan-Ude. There is also a motorway along
the left bank of the river but it hasn’t been repaired for a long time and some
bridges over the river were destroyed. Anyhow some parts of this road can be
used for traffic. There is a motorway from the resort Umkhey to the north of
Baikal lake, but it is passable only for supersize lorries.
The settlements of Barguzinskaya valley are located basically along it. As for
the Barguzinsky and Ikatsky ranges which frame the valley, there are no any
settlements. In the village Ust-Barguzin functions the visiting--information
centre "Podlemorye” of the administration of the Barguzinsky region which
possesses the information about hotels, tourist camps, guest houses and can
assist in accommodation both in Ust-Barguzin and in other settlements of
Podlemorye and Barguzinskaya valley. The centre works out tourist routes,
organizes tourist trips and excursions. The settlement has a group of Search and
Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Measures of Russia and
Administration of State National park "Zabaykalsky”. The settlement is
conveniently located on the shore of the Barguzinsky gulf where one can find a
fine sandy beach, and so it is a popular place for visiting in summer.
Libraries, village houses of culture, clubs, cultural - leisure associations,
musical schools, schools of arts, national music collectives and theatres and
museums function in the settlements of the valley. The centres of children’s
creative activities and the centres of the Buryat and Evenk cultures possess
valuable information and collections.
Now the development of tourism in the valley is only on the initial stage.
Tourist centres and zones of tourism have not developed yet. While there are no
comfortable hotels and tourist centers or tourist organizations which have the
license. So it is better to charge the organization of tours in the
Barguzinskaya valley and Podlemorye to the tour operators represented in the
list of tour agencies of Buryatia, to the visit - information centre
“Podlemorye” or to the chief information centre of tourism in Ulan-Ude.
PAGES OF THE PICTURE ALBUM
|
Tour to Buryatia
St. Petersburg
