Traveling To Irkutsk During The Winter
Banished to Siberia
At one time, when the Russian Czars sentenced you to exile in Siberia, they meant Irkutsk. To this day many of the rustic log cabins where prisoners would huddle in for warmth during the Russian winters still stand. The city around these simple barracks, however, could not be any different.
Even during the dead of winter, this city along the Irkut river has made a name for itself with its churches, historic buildings, and imposing Soviet architecture. Known as the “Paris of Siberia”, Irkutsk has come a long way since being known as a place of exile and imprisonment.
Most travelers who find themselves passing through Irkutsk during the winter are usually riding the Trans-Siberian Railway. No matter if your starting point was in Beijing or Vladivostok, you are sure to find yourself in the historic hub of Irkutsk. Even with the river frozen over and snow packed on the pavement, Irkutsk shines as an urban oasis within the untamed wilderness of Siberia.
Even with its centuries of history, you may only find enough to fill a couple of days of sightseeing. Afterward, most tourists will either head on to Lake Baikal or hop back on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Looking to travel to Lake Baikal during the winter? Read more here!
What To Do In Irkutsk During The Winter
Irkutsk is the jumping off point for exploring the vast expanse of wilderness that covers Siberia. From the enormous scenic Lake Baikal to dog sledding, there is plenty you can find to do if you are willing to brave Russia’s ice and snow.
After a day or two of wandering Irkutsk, however, you will probably be ready to venture out of the city to begin your adventure in the tundra and vast forests. Other than leisurely wandering through the markets, strolling along the river, and visiting the several churches which add a splash of vibrant color to the monochromatic city, you may quickly find yourself with no much on your itinerary.
On the other hand, after weeks of being off the grid, living the exile’s life in rural Siberia you may be yearning for some of the comforts of the city. Even during the winter, Irkutsk is an oasis of malls, shops, restaurants, and bars which can satisfy your craving for a taste of civilization.
You can find a list of festivals in Irkutsk here!
Soviet Remains
Backpackers will either be dazzled by the imposing brutalist architecture or find the drab cityscape to be a symbol of Communist oppression. Regardless of which category you may fall into, these remnants of a begone socialist empire are still sure to grab your attention.
When compared to the more aesthetically pleasing traditional wooden houses or elaborate churches, many of these crumbling Soviet blocks are easily looked over. In reality, these towering masses of stone and concrete hold beauty in themselves.
Amongst the cheerless cold grey stone, ornate communist and Russian imagery can be found nestled between the uniform windows. Even the symmetry itself is more than enough to have photographers circling city blocks several times to enjoy every angle of these dystopian buildings.
Looking for more to do during the winter in Russia? Check out traveling to Kamchatka here!
Churches of Irkutsk
With many remaining Soviet city blocks and endless grey skies, nothing quite makes a Russian city seem more drab and lifeless than visiting it during the winter. With all of Irkutsk being covered in a blanket of white snow, the cold cheerless stone, and ice work together to create that feeling of walking through a black and white film.
In contrast to the monochromatic urban sprawl, the Orthodox churches which are sprinkled throughout the city offer a splash of color to Irkutsk. During the winter, many of these brightly painted churches even have ice carvings housing the images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary lit by neon lighting.
If you are truly looking to see Irkutsk come alive during the dead of winter, try and plan your trip to coincide with Orthodox Christmas. During this time you can see men being rebaptized in the frozen river and even ice shows on Konnyi Island!
Looking for more of Christmas in Irkutsk? Check out this article here!
Wooden Laces of Irkutsk
What will truly make the city of Irkutsk a place which you will dream of visiting again is the wooden “lace houses” which line many of the historic areas of town. The ornate shutters with colorful trim along with the snow which lines the roofs of the houses make much of the city look like a real-life Christman village.
Many of the houses, however, have been rebuilt using nothing but century-old drawings as a guide. After the great fire of 1879, many people have abandoned the decorative wooden structures for safer brick or concrete apartments. Some of the houses which do still exist are also run-down. With crooked shutters and chipped paint, the dilapidated nature of some of these “lace houses” add an indescribable charm, rather than making Irkutsk’s historical districts look any way shabby or neglected.
You can read more on the lace houses here!
Surviving a Winter in Irkutsk
What may scare people from booking their plane or train ticket to Irkutsk is, of course, the fear of freezing to death during one of Siberia’s notorious winters. Once you hear that crunch of the ice underneath your boots after hopping out of your carriage, you will find that the bite in the frigged wind is nothing a few layers and a thick jacket can’t handle.
The major problem you will find is actually when the snow and ice begin to melt. As spring begins to push out the cold, the sidewalks of Irkutsk turn into a slippery mess which will have pedestrians sliding and falling flat onto the pavement. Those with heavy backpacker’s bags or expensive cameras may find some of their more expensive electronics smashed to pieces.
If you are able to maintain your balance and brave the Siberian winter, you will find that a trip to Irkutsk will overshadow any Full Moon booze fest you could find on the beaches of Thailand. Not only will you find the tall trees dressed in white gowns mesmerizing, but the Russian people are warm enough to melt any winter. As one local put it, “It may be cold, but Siberian’s hearts are warm.”
Looking to travel to Mongolia during the winter? Read more here or here!
