Lake Baikal

The crescent-shaped lake extends 636 kilometers (395 miles) between Irkutsk Oblast and Buryatia, reaching depths of 1,642 meters (5,387 feet) in its tectonic rift. More than 300 rivers feed the basin while only the Angara serves as outflow. Rocky shores are partially surrounded by dense taiga forests, while other sections feature barren steppe landscapes. The transparent water allows visibility to depths of 40 meters (131 feet).

Geologists date the formation of the deep water section to approximately 25 to 30 million years ago, making it the oldest lake on Earth. The current shoreline developed around 8,000 years ago following the last ice age. Russian explorers first reached the region in 1643, and the lake became an important trade route between Russia and China. The Trans-Siberian Railway reached the southern shore in 1904, opening the remote region to settlers.

The indigenous Buryat people have regarded the lake as sacred for centuries, venerating numerous spirits and deities along its shores. Local traditions forbid polluting the water, which is viewed as a source of spiritual purity. Russian settlement began in the 17th century when Cossacks established trade routes along the coast. Today approximately 150,000 people live in the lake region, with fishing and tourism representing important economic sectors.

The best visiting period is July through September for hiking or January through March when the frozen surface features ice up to 2 meters (79 inches) thick that supports vehicle traffic. Irkutsk serves as the main gateway with flights from Moscow and regular bus services to the shore. Towns like Slyudyanka and Severobaikalsk offer accommodations and boat tours. Visitors should prepare for extreme temperatures that can drop to minus 38 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 38 degrees Celsius) in winter.

The lake harbors 3,600 animal and plant species, with approximately 80 percent found nowhere else on Earth. Among these is the world's only exclusively freshwater seal, the Baikal seal, whose nearest relatives inhabit arctic waters. Scientists still puzzle over how these seals reached this inland body of water roughly 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) from the Arctic Ocean about 2 million years ago.

Location: Buryatia

Location: Irkutsk Oblast

Elevation above the sea: 455.5 m

Shares border with: Transbaikal

Address: Lake Baikal, Russia

GPS coordinates: 53.30278,108.00472

Latest update: November 27, 2025 19:11