Tunkinsky National Park, National park in south central Siberia, Russia.
Tunkinsky National Park is a protected area in the Republic of Buryatia, southern Siberia, running along the Tunka Valley and bordered by the ridges of the Eastern Sayan mountains. The terrain shifts from forested lower slopes to open alpine meadows and rocky peaks, with thermal springs found at various points across the valley floor.
The park was established in 1991, near the end of the Soviet era, as part of a broader push to protect natural areas across Russia. The Tunka Valley had long served as a route between Buryatia and Mongolia, shaping the region's settlement patterns over many centuries.
The Buryat people who live in the valley still follow Buddhist and shamanist traditions, and small temples or prayer flags can be spotted near certain springs and mountain paths. These sacred spots are woven into everyday life and are easy to notice while walking through the area.
The town of Arshan sits at the park entrance and is a good starting point, offering places to stay and eat before heading into the valley or up the mountain trails. Weather in the mountains can shift quickly, so warm layers and sturdy footwear are worth bringing regardless of the season.
Although the park sits in one of the coldest parts of Russia, some of the thermal springs there reach temperatures above 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). This heat comes from geological activity along fault lines connected to the same rift system that formed Lake Baikal nearby.
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