Picturesque rocks, sand dunes, crystal clear water
Olkhon Island
This is a great place if you want to enjoy natural masterpieces and take a break from the hustle and bustle.
The island is located approximately in the center of the lake. It is separated from the mainland by Maloe More.
The island is located approximately in the center of the lake. It is separated from the mainland by Maloe More.
Climate
The climate on the island is continental and quite arid. The number of sunny days on the island is large. The lake has a huge influence on the formation of the island's climate.
The warmest months on Olkhon are July and August. Winter is quite mild and snow-free.
The warmest months on Olkhon are July and August. Winter is quite mild and snow-free.
Sights
The island is rich in natural and historical monuments, traditions and legends.
The village Khuzhir is the "capital" of Olkhon Island Khuzhir village is the capital of «Pearl of Baikal» Olkhon Island. The town is tiny, but exploring the whole Island will take about two days. In the past, Khuzhir was a small fishing village. But over time, the number of international tourists increased, and Khuzhir became a starting point to explore the Island. |
Elatsy The village Elantsy is an amazing historical place, which is known for ancient rock paintings near the Sakhyurt Mountain. In summer, the famous Yerdyn Games are held at the mouth of the Anga. These competitions have their roots in the depths of centuries. Probably, even the ancestors of the Buryats, the Kurykans arranged intertribal meetings here to appease the gods. |
The cape Burkhan The cape Burkhan also has the name "Shamanka Rock". Its part is a marble rock with two peaks. This place is associated with the emergence of shamanism in these places. It is imbued with legends, connected with rituals and folk legends. There is also a Shamanic cave. Currently, the cape has the status of a state natural and historical monument. |
Culture and traditions
Olkhon is a place of residence of Buryats. Traces of their culture and religion (Buddhism and Shamanism) can be found everywhere on the island.
Lake Baikal fishing
Local residents are engaged in farming, cattle breeding, animal husbandry, collecting pine nuts, logging and timber rafting and hauling.
The main industry of the local population has always been fishing. Now the local population actively interacts with tourists.
Local residents are engaged in farming, cattle breeding, animal husbandry, collecting pine nuts, logging and timber rafting and hauling.
The main industry of the local population has always been fishing. Now the local population actively interacts with tourists.
Serge
Serge are ritual poles for Buryats, Yakuts, wooden poles for hitching. On the island of Olkhon, they can be found at Cape Burkhan. They symbolize the "tree of life", with roots in the lower worlds of demons and branches in the heavens where the Noyons live. Serge are tied with multicolored scraps of cloth.
Tarasun
Tarasun is a rather strong alcoholic drink of a cloudy white color with a sour-milk flavor. Because of this, few dare to try it. Tarasun has a pronounced taste of cow's milk.
Omul
Omul is considered a delicacy. It has very tasty meat. Omul can be prepared by traditional methods for fish (cook fish soup, roast on coals, salt, expose to hot or cold smoking).
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Since ancient times, there have been many myths and legends about Lake Baikal. It is no wonder that the lake keeps attracting shamans and mysticists from all over the world.
- The Legend of the Stone MaidenOnce upon a time, a Buryat woman, out of envy for her husband, asked the heavenly inhabitants - the Gods of Tengri, so that they would send her the same palace as her husband's. The Tengri considered this greed, since the Buryat woman lived in her husband's palace and did not need anything. For such an act, they got angry and turned an envious woman into a stone. "As long as there is envy on Earth, you will be a stone!".
- A lonely birch tree among the steppes on OlkhonAccording to one version, there was once a settlement of Buryat shamanists in this place. And one of the shamans had five daughters. She had a gift from them – she healed people. And when it was time for her to leave this world, people began to cry bitterly and ask her to stay and help a little more in various failures, problems, illnesses. But even shamans can't stop time. And then the healer found a way out and, calming people, said that she would come down to earth. And when that happens, people will immediately realize that she's the one who came back to help. After the death of the healer, a lonely birch tree grew up in a vacant lot near the village. If you hug her trunk and ask for health or help in solving some difficulties or problems, then the answers to the tormented questions come quickly.
- Three brothers at the foot of the white cape Sagan-Khushun on Olkhon
The Olkhon shaman had three sons and daughter. The daughter fell in love. However, her father strictly forbade her to even think about the wedding. Then there was nothing left for the lover. How to secretly leave your father’s house and run away with your lover. To bring his beloved daughter home, the father sent his sons in search of her, turning them into eagles. After a while, the eagle sons found their sister, but she begged and persuaded them not to give away her whereabouts. The brothers felt sorry for their sister and when they returned home, they told their father that they could not find their sister. But their father was a shaman and immediately recognized the lie. For such a deception,
he turned his sons into rocks.
