siberian adventure Part 1

A replica of a Siberian outpost, between Irkutsk and Baikal. Talei is a monument to the pioneers who first settled in the area


The trading post and Jail!














The whole fort is made up of period buildings including a church, a fort and a trading post.


Irkutsk main shopping street is a pictureque street full of local colour and businesses. Just like other major cities, Irkutsk has it's share of retail parks and malls, but they have managed to preserve the old town centre with indoor and outdoor markets, including a large chinese market that represents the large ethnic chinese community in the city.






The river Angara, which flows through Irkutsk, originates from Lake Baikal.
The river bank is a lovely walk on a summers day. During winter, the river freezes allowing people to drive across.
There are of course, still signs of the communist regime that ruled russia for 70 years, including this statue of Lenin.
Irkutsk also has a number of very beautiful churches, remarkably well kept considering religion was mostly banned under the commmunists.
A view of the main park from the river bank, it was a pleasent suprise for me to find that Irkutsk was such a beautiful city.

A view of the river Angara which flows from Lake Baikal through Irkutsk.

In part two, i will post more pictures of Irkutsk, and the remarkable lake Baikal, one of the modern wonders of the world, together with the Angara river which is something to see.