Khakassia and Abakan: 6 places to see on a Siberian route
The route covers the main attractions of Khakassia: from the center of Abakan through the Sayan Mountains to the Abakan and Yenisei rivers, including the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station and the airport. The path with a length of introduces the geography and infrastructure of the region of Southern Siberia.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Republic of Khakassia
- End
- Abakan International Airport
- Stops
- 6
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Republic of Khakassia — Regional overview of the Siberian republic, historical context from 45,000 years of habitation through 7th-century inclusion into Russian state.
- Abakan City Center
- Khakass State University — Located in the city center of Abakan.
- Abakan River — Major left-bank tributary of the Yenisei River, 514 kilometers long. Named after the indigenous Khakass word meaning either 'father river' or 'bear river'.
- Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Station — Major dam on the Yenisei River that changed Khakassia's climate; prevented river freezing in the dam area.
- Abakan International Airport
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Distance to Moscow 4300 km. Nearest major cities: Krasnoyarsk 400 km, Novosibirsk 900 km.
- Transport
- Flights to Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and Moscow fly from the Abakan airport. Tickets to Moscow cost from 12000 rubles, which is more expensive than from Krasnoyarsk (4000 rubles).
- Timing
- The climate of Khakassia is called "warm Siberia" with fairly comfortable conditions. Winter is mild (-15 -20°C), the average temperature in July is +15 +22°C. There are much more sunny days than in neighboring regions.
- Tip
- In Abakan, about 35% of the territory is occupied by parks and squares. The city is divided into two banks: the left bank is the center with high-rise buildings, the right bank is the private sector and dachas.
- Food
- Try local Siberian dumplings, as well as the famous lemonade "Buratino" or "Tarhun", produced in Abakan by AYALLM.
- Tip
- Abakan is one of the greenest cities in Russia. The population is 186 thousand people, the city is young: it was officially founded on April 30, 1931, but archaeologists find the ruins of buildings of the V century AD.
- Tip
- There are more than 1000 lakes and the Yenisei River in Khakassia. The region is famous for its Siberian nature and mystical atmosphere. Shamanic holidays are held here.
- Tip
- The indigenous population, the Khakass (Turkic people), make up about 30% of the republic's population. Most believers are Orthodox Christians, but traditional beliefs (shamanism) are also preserved.
- Save money
- In Khakassia, there is a northern coefficient of salary supplements of 30%. The region is equated to the regions of the Far North.
- Tip
- In the south of the republic, in the Abakan lowland, watermelons, apricots, pears and even grapes are grown. A region of active animal husbandry and agriculture.
Video on this route
OVER KHAKASSIA AND ABAKAN. SIBERIAN SWITZERLAND