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The city of Kyzyl is located in the Tuva Basin, at the picturesque confluence of two rivers - the Big Yenisei (Biy Khem) and the Small Yenisei (Kaa Khem). Despite its small size, the city sheltered a lot of interesting sights. For example, the main museum of local lore of the Republic, the philharmonic society, Buddhist and Orthodox churches, several buildings of the early 20th century.  In most cases, tourists arrive here solely for the purpose of transit, to continue on to the amazing national parks, rivers, lakes, or hot springs of the region.

How to get there

The nearest railway station is in Abakan, 400 km from the city of Kyzyl. So you can get to the Republic either by bus or by plane. Flights Krasnoyarsk - Kyzyl - Krasnoyarsk are carried out on Pilatus aircraft daily, except Sundays. Novosibirsk - Kyzyl - Novosibirsk flights are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but only during the summer season. Helicopter transfers to hard-to-reach places are common, but the cost is quite high. 

There are regular bus services from Kyzyl to Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Tomsk and Irkutsk. 

The motor ship “Zarya-267” of the company “Tuva Shipping Company” runs along the river Big Yenisei (Biy-Khem) on the route Kyzyl - Sevi - Systyg-Khem - Yrban - Ii - Toora-Khem from the end of April and until the river is covered with ice. The approximate cost of a full journey is about 1600 RUB, the minimum - from one village to another - from 70 RUB.

Kyzyl hotels and restaurants

There are several hotels in the city: Odugen (36 Krasnykh Partisanov Street), a small and cozy Cottage Hotel (38 Krasnykh Partisanov Street), Mongulek Hotel (1 Kochetova Street) and the Buyan-Badyrgy Hotel Complex (Moskovskaya St., 1).  There will be no problems with food in the city, you can try it  in the restaurant "5 stars" (Kalinina Street 3/2). Here you can taste not only European dishes, but also Chinese cuisine. Or go to the restaurant "Alantos", where  Tuvan dishes are served. Address: st. Druzhba, 70.

Entertainment and sights of Kyzyl

At the entrance to the city along the Kyzyl-Erzin highway, an amazing monument “Kadarchy” (hunter) stands  - one of the visiting cards of Tuva. The monument is a pedestal on a high cone-shaped hill, where a shepherd in national costume stands - a long Tuvan robe-tone and high-pointed hat with a knife and a chair on his belt, looking into the distance endless steppes stretching to the horizon, symbolizing the traditional Tuvan way of life. 

One more  “visiting card” of the city is the obelisk “Center of Asia”, which is located on the left bank of the Ulug-Khem river. 

It is also worth seeing the first house in Kyzyl (Lenin Street, 20), which was built in 1914. It is protected by the state as a monument of wooden architecture of the revolutionary union of youth. 

Recreation Park named after Nikolai Gastello

The park is located on a huge peninsula surrounded by a picturesque forest, directly at the confluence of the rivers. The park is washed on one side by Kaa-Khem, and on the other - by a long pond. There is a boat station with water bikes, a small beach, attractions, sports facilities. The park has a stadium "Huresh", where wrestling and other sports competitions are held. Volleyball competitions are annually held at volleyball courts for the cup of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tyva. The Gastello Culture and Recreation Park is the only natural  park in Siberia where wild animals live in urban environments.

Buddhist temple "Tuvdan Choyhorling"

The temple is located on the right bank of the Ulug-Khem, 2 km north of Kyzyl, and is clearly visible from the “Center of Asia” monument. The temple itself is small, it looks picturesquely against the background of the mountains, the rich interior is also interesting: bronze sculptures and  tanks. The temple was consecrated by Dalai Lama XIV when visiting Tuva in 1992.


Buddhist Temple Tsechenling

On the first floor of the building is the residence of the representatives of Dalai Lama XIV. On the second - the prayer hall, where there is  altar with the image of Buddha and Dalai Lama XIV.  Address: 1 Kravchenko St., Kyzyl, tel .: +7 (3942) 23-8695.

Trinity Church of the Russian Orthodox Church

Center for Orthodox life of Kyzyl and the Republic of Tyva. The wooden one-story church was built in 1929 (address: Oyun Kursedy St. 112), in 1946 a reconstruction was carried out. In Tyva, in addition to the Trinity Church in Kyzyl, the Innokentyevsky temple in Turan and the Kazan-Mother of God temple in the village of Saryg-Sep are in operation.

Shaman centers

"Dungur", where anyone can visit shaman to find out their future, undergo a ritual of purification or inquire about their health. Address: Kyzyl, st. Rabochaya, 246, tel .: 3-19-09.