Ulan-Ude, Capital city in Buryatia, Russia
Ulan-Ude is the capital of the Buryatia Republic in Russia, located east of Lake Baikal near the Mongolian border. The city spreads along the Selenga and Uda rivers, surrounded by mountain ranges that frame the valley at around 500 meters elevation.
Established as Udinskoye fort in 1666, the settlement gained town status in 1775 and kept that name until 1934. After the civil war, it served as capital of the Far Eastern Republic before being renamed Ulan-Ude.
The city blends Russian and Buryat ways of life in daily routines, reflected in architecture, restaurants, and public squares. Buddhist temples and Orthodox churches share the urban space, while markets offer goods rooted in both traditions.
The Trans-Siberian Railway and the M55 highway connect the place to Irkutsk and other destinations along Lake Baikal. Two airports offer flights to Moscow, and regional buses run to surrounding areas and into Mongolia.
The central square displays a 42-ton bronze sculpture of Lenin's head, standing 7.7 meters (25 feet) tall. Locals simply call it
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