Practical Travel Guide:
Town Name:
Russian: Листвянка
Location:
Located 70 km from Irkutsk city center.
Transportation:
Take a minibus from the central station (located behind the central market parking lot, not the small open-air parking lot next to the market). The bus departs when full. The Russian name “Листвянка” will be displayed on the window. The fare is 120 RUB per person, and the journey takes about 50 minutes.
Food Recommendations:
There are a few small restaurants in the town where you can enjoy lunch. I highly recommend the smoked fish sold at the open-air market, which is from Lake Baikal. The fish is smoked and then roasted to perfection—it’s absolutely delicious! When I visited, we bought a fish weighing over half a kilogram for just about 10 RMB. It was fantastic!
Attractions:
Baikal Museum (Музей Байкала):
Here, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of Lake Baikal. The museum displays the lake’s ecosystem, including flora and fauna from the surrounding area and underwater, extending to a depth of 1,700 meters. There are many animal specimens, 3D animations, and even a display of the Baikal freshwater seals!
Operating Hours:
Daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Ticket Price: 310 RUB per person (including 3D animation) or 260 RUB for the regular entry.
Useful Tips:
You can sign up for boat tours at the local tourism center in the village. There are one-hour and three-hour packages available, and you can buy tickets on-site. We didn’t have time for the boat tour, so we just walked along the shoreline. If you have more time, I suggest staying overnight in the village. There are a number of small guesthouses around the area with reasonable prices, and locals also enjoy spending their weekends here.