Irkutsk

Eco-friendly travel guide to Irkutsk advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Irkutsk, Russia.

Clockwise, from the upper right corner: Clock Tower, Picture Gallery, Irkutsk panorama from the dam, Local Lore Museum, Khudozhestvenny Cinema, Kazan Church

Air quality: 4 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.8 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3 / 5

Public transportation: 4 / 5

Parks: 3.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3.5 / 5

Locals' English level: 2.5 / 5

Safety: 3 / 5

Accommodation: US$10 - $80

Budget per day: US$100 - $500

Responsible Travel

Irkutsk in actuality is the biggest city in addition to being the primary administrative centre of Oblast. The overall population of the place is around 617,437 as per the data collected in 2010. Statistically, the city is the 25th largest in the continent of Russia in terms of the total population. In terms of area, it is the 5th largest one present in the SF district. It is situated in the southern part of the Russian Oblast. It is a city that lies in the course of Angara river which is one of the tributaries of Yenisei that is approximately 851 kms. in the south-east of Krasnoyarsk and about 520 kilometres north of the place called Ulaanbaatar. It is famous for his trans-Siberian railroad which was constructed in the year 1898 and is a major modern industrial district of Siberia which is noted for its wide variety of engineering products. It is a hub for manufacturing Railway aircraft ship and vehicle repair yards. While exploring different places and the general idea of tourism is great, it is also harmful for the environment because of the way tourists travel today. It is of utmost importance to be a responsible traveller especially when we are at the verge of a climate disaster.

Choosing the right transport method: A major part of your travel experience includes discovering every nook and cranny of the city. While you will have transport options like private cars and taxis at your disposal you need to know that not only do they contribute to more congestion and traffic pollution but also emit harmful gases into the environment. So, choose options like walking, cycling, electronic and public transportation in general.
Trying local food: A huge part of the local culture is the traditional food that is offered at the local traditional restaurants and by street food vendors. Instead of just sticking to international fast food franchises that contribute to so much waste being produced in the world, you should try the local options. Not only will it help the local economy but also will directly help the families whose sole source of earning are these small food businesses.
Do not throw waste: As an eco-friendly traveler, you need to promote sustainable living as much as possible in the city to motivate not only fellow tourists but local people. When you visit any tourists attractions especially city parks, make sure you do not throw any food wrapper and do not just stop at that but if you see any trash, pick it up and throw it in the dustbin. It might look like a very small thing to do but has a huge impact on people watching especially the children present in the park since they learn and mimic the behaviour of other people around them.
Choose a green hotel: Plenty of accommodations are available in the city that provide you with a top-notch experience but instead of choosing them, you can pick green hotels for your stay. They use eco-friendly measures to reduce the pollution and waste of the city. This is one of the great ways to contribute towards the city to keep it safe and clean.
Shop local: In order to support local craftsmen and artisans always shop local. During your trip to the city, you will come across small shops and food stalls in almost every lane of the city. If you want to have an unforgettable experience in the city, then buy goods and handicrafts from these shops. This will not only help you to save a lot of money but you will be supporting a lot of local people who are dependent on their small businesses to earn a livelihood.
Say no to plastic: One of the most effective ways of responsible travelling is not using any plastic bags. Plastic bags take more than 500 years to biodegrade and that should give you an idea of how harmful they are for the environment. Always carry a reusable bag when you are travelling so you can use it for groceries, shopping etc.
Road over air: If it is possible to get to your destination via road then do not take a flight. Not only will that help in a massive reduction of your carbon footprint but will also protect the environment from harmful carbon emissions caused by airplanes.
Eco friendly travel agent: There are plenty of eco friendly travel agents who are doing a wonderful job planning trips that are safer for the environment by booking green hotels, choosing the most eco friendly way of travelling and educating the travellers about the impact of their actions on the planet.

Air Quality and Pollution

The city of Irkutsk has a moderate to low level of air pollution with a good air quality index that remains around 13 to 36 across the city. But due to the rising concerns about the environment and increasing awareness in the common people, there is a lot of emphasis on green travel that is eco-friendly ways of transportation which include walking cycling or use of public transport as a chief method of conveyance. The city has however recorded a low water pollution index which makes it better than many of the other places across the country. If you are prone to allergies or are asthmatic it will be better for you to wear a mask outside especially when visiting areas with poor quality.

Respect the Culture

File:Shenehen Buryat 1.jpg

The Buryat people

Irkutsk is a place enriched with culture and you will be surprised by how diverse the culture is. When visiting a place this diverse with such a rich culture you need to learn and respect it. This is an aspect that most tourists ignore. If the customs and practices are very different from where you are from then do not come off as a snob. You can avoid it by calling the locals and their practices exotic or looking down upon their way of living.

The culture is an amalgamation of different cultures. This is due to the reason that today Russians who came to these lands in the 17th century live in eastern Siberia, as well asUkrainians, Belarusians, Poles, Lithuanians, Chuvashs, Tatars, Germans and other nationalities who followed them. Some of the indigenous tribes and their practices include:

The Buryats which make up the largest part of the population - according to the All-Russian population census, about 80 thousand Buryats live in the region, which makes up 3.3% of the total population of the region. Buryatia is located in beautiful places among the hills, spacious steppes, and most importantly - next to the famous Baikal. It is not surprising that the locals treat their small motherland with special love and trepidation — each peak, tree, and boulder. This attitude is rooted in shamanism that reigned here many centuries before the advent of Buddhism and Christianity. People believed that any natural phenomenon, place, forest, river has its own spirit that protects them. The habit of worshiping and decorating memorial sites remained: crossing the expanses of Transbaikalia, you can come across fancy columns on which tied ribbons from multi-colored rags of fabric sway. The pillars made of wood or stone are called “serge”, and the ribbons for decoration are called “zallaa”. With every breath of wind, ribbons flutter, and people's requests for happiness, wealth, healing are fulfilled. The places where the pillars stand are considered sacred and are referred to as "barisan". Here you can not make noise, litter, smoke, light a fire, swear and even allow unclean thoughts. Traditional Buryat holidays, such as Sagaalgan, Eastern New Year, and Surkharban are celebrated at the regional level and not only by Buryats - representatives of all nationalities are invited to celebrate together.

Evenki today occupy about 0.05% of the total population of 1272 people in the Irkutsk region. Evenki shamanism is distinguished by highly developed polytheism and the complexity of the ritual complex. Like any social phenomenon, it has its own structure and performs a number of social functions. The main and characteristic thing in shamanism is the deification of the forces of nature and dead ancestors, the belief that there are many gods and spirits in the world and with the help of shamans you can influence them to ensure happiness, health and well-being, and aversion to disaster. Evenki worship spirits, follow the Evenki commandments of Ita.

Golendra are the descendants of the Germans who moved to Siberia, living in the villages of Pikhtinsk, Srednepihtinsk and Dagnik in the Zalarinsky district. They still have a special "European" way of life and language - a bizarre combination of German, Polish, Belarusian and Ukrainian.

Tofalars (tofs) are considered the smallest indigenous people of the Irkutsk region - in the Nizhneudinsky district, where tofs live, there are only 678 representatives of the nationality, which is 0.03% of the total population of the region. And in the mountains of East Sayan, near the border with Tuva, near Nizhneudinsk, in the villages of Alyglzher, Verkhnyaya Gutara and Nerja, there are tofalars or tofas, of which no more than 700 people remain. They live very separately and call themselves the indigenous inhabitants of these places. There are also settlements of Old Believers and old-timers - descendants of the very first immigrants to these lands in the 17-18 centuries. Tofalars maintain a high level of ethnic identity, passing on from generation to generation traditional legends, tales and songs.

By being observant in every day life in the city you will start to notice that although Irkutsk is not the capital of Buryatia like Ulan Ude is, the Buryat culture is found all throughout and in many different forms. This includes the people, the food, and just about everything else. The Buryat presence can be felt everywhere, however, it is subtle and will not jump out at you unless you know what to look for. One example of this is the colors that are found throughout the city in both traditional clothing and the colors that houses are painted. When thinking of the traditional colors used in the Russian culture, reds, blacks and gold are the first colors that come to mind. These colors, however, are better associated with Western Russia, while more vibrant colors of blues, greens, and even pinks are more commonly found in Eastern Russia and Siberia. In comparison to the colors of traditional Buryat clothing, decorations and even the ribbons that are used in Shamanism, the common colors found throughout Irkutsk and Siberia as a whole better resemble those of the Buryats than those of Western Russia.

Top 10 Places to Visit

When it comes to the places to visit in the city of Irkutsk it is no less than a paradise for visitors who love historic and explorative venues stop it has everything. It has everything that an Explorer-like you would want to see ranging from museums to art galleries to vintage places and everything else in between. The top 10 places that you can visit in Irkutsk are:

Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the mother god: It is a beautiful place where you can have a glimpse of the Mother of God of Kazan with the holy icon in the Russian Orthodox Church representing the Virgin Mary who is represented as the preserver and benefactor of the city of Kazan and the Palladium of all Russia known as the holy protectress of Russia. The mother god is highly revered in Russia and has two more Cathedrals which one in the city of Moscow and other in St. Petersburg. You would see a 16-century Statue of the icon and would love the sight of it.

Decemberists historical and Memorial Museum: The Decembrists historical and Memorial Museum is yet another awe-evoking place to have a glimpse of the history of Russia. It carries with it a 17th-century struggle that included the officers and noblemen who had an unsuccessful rebellion in Saint Petersburg against the autocracy of the emperor. In the memory of these people that the Museum and Memorial is built to have them remember across the country as a whole tribute to the great souls.

130 Kvartal: You wish to have a glimpse of Siberia as one of the most impressive Timber architecture places then this is a place of choice for you. It is located at the Rising of the Cross Church and is a very beautiful place to explore your love for Timber architecture, restaurants, cafes, and museums. It is the only real 21st-century shopping mall having some original, some transported and some fake Timber buildings that you would absolutely love to have a glimpse of.

Sculpture Babr: This beautifully named culture in the city of Irkutsk has been there in the City since its formation which was back in the 17th century. It is a mythological animal that is loved by the tourists to watch. If you love or are interested in mythological characters then Sculpture Babr can be a place of great interest to you.

Znamensky Monastery: Znamensky Monastery, the monastery built-in 1762 is a wonderful place for admiring the anterior which has murralled vaulting and towers various icons and gold sculptures is a very beautiful place at a distance of 1.9 kilometers Northeast of Skver Kirova. It is adorned with miraculous relics of Siberian missionary Saint Inokent and also has celebrity Graves outside of it, which includes the themed Tomb of Grigory Shelekhov who was the man famous for claiming Alaska for Russia. It also has the headstone of a lady called Ekaterina Trubetskaya right in front of you.

Cathedral of the Epiphany: It is a beautiful church that dates back to the 19th century and was officially elected as the cathedral of the epiphany of the dioxy of rocks city in 1902. An unrivaled building that it is, it has all the beauty in its glass Windows and the lively images of Christ and the relics across the place signifying the extraordinary care with which the place has been erected. It has seen various celebrations in the course of time which continue to happen till date. It also hosts major celebrations in the City and people love it for the aesthetic value that it adds to the experience of a celebration or a tour.

Irkutsk Academic Drama Theatre: The Irkutsk academic drama theatre is yet another architecturally stunning marvel of the place. It was opened on August 30 1897 and it took three years for craftsmen to build one of the biggest provincial theatres of Russia which the place boasts of being. It has various shows and the building's architecture is a thing to be appreciated. You will have a good time photographing the place for its beautiful structure.

Monument of Alexander III: It is rather a controversial monument to Alexander III and was opened on May 23 1909, in the city of plastid was the Tanya it beautifully depicts a standing bronze figure of Alexander III who is regarded as a counter reformist of the place. It caused an intense public scandal before being opened. Though it was welcomed by various people of the place It had been debated over since a long time no surely has a very long carried forward history to it. It was the reason for the divide of Petersburg society. No matter how controversial the place is, one cannot forget that it is a Marvel to be watched.

The Great Baikal Trail: The Great Baikal Trail or GBT is a Russian environmental organization that promotes the development of ecological education, voluntary work, and Eco tourism with a non-profit approach. It is working to build hiking trails around the lake Baikal and has run over 180 International projects in the last 10 years for the improvement of the place. For one of you who wants to encourage environmentally-friendly tourism and Environmental education, there is a lot to learn from this beautiful place in Irkutsk, Russia.

Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya Angary: Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya Angary is a river that passes through the city of our goods along the street called Ulitsa Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya. The street that runs beside the river is a short distance from Lenin Street which is another place in the town. A walk along the river not only fills you up with blessing and energy it also lets you see the natural beauty of the place. This is one of the major attractions of tourists who want to have a look at the Ecotourism of the city.

Znamensky Monastery

Explore

The city of Irkutsk is absolutely adored with scenic beauty which includes its Grand parks beaches and places like museums. For a person who loves Eco tourism and who is passionate about different kinds of plants and animals is sure to find the essence of nature in the parks and gardens that the city has to offer. Being a nature enthusiast you can find absolute serenity in a city that normally has a rush of traffic with the busy lives of people running all around to complete their works.

City Parks

It is evident from the natural love of the people of the place there are beautiful City Parks in Irkutsk

Park Angara: It is a recreational park that lets people roam around in the boundaries of the street. It is an open City Garden which is also a development project being implemented by Municipal and private partnerships. There are various project ideas around the park that have been carried out efficiently and continue to prosper. These include a spacious orchard for walking, large pool and pond with clean water, an incubator of Eco Technologies, tourist parking for campers, circular walking and jogging track, cable car and a cafe. The place is conveniently accessible and is a comfortable pedestrian-friendly area. It has a plan for children's entertainment, sports grounds, outdoor heated pool, skating rink, Eco workings, rescue station and visitor parking also.

Polyana Park is yet another beautiful park for open visits, outdoor sports, and walks. There are cafes, paintball clubs, a swimming pool, a volleyball and football ground, gazebos and grill houses. It is a Paradise for musicians, athletes and theatre lovers because of the antique design that it holds. There are also concerts and performances in the premises of the park. Polyana sports Park is a great place for a family vacation and is unique and convenient for leisure time. There are all necessary hospitality facilities including parking, comfortable washrooms, and rental points.

The beautiful Polyana Park

National Parks

National Park called Pribaikalsky National Park which is to the South West Coast of Lake Baikal in south-eastern Siberia. It has mountain ranges and islands such as Olkhon. As Lake Baikal is a World Heritage site as per UNESCO, it is managed by other nature Reserves that include Angara river which hosts rare biodiversity and endemic species.

Pribaikalsky National Park

Beaches

The city of Irkutsk has a single Beach by the name Picnic Park Yakobi. The place is as beautiful as its name and is a good choice for spending recreational time with your family.

Landmarks

The 130 Kvartal is the area's most impressive original Timber architecture with some original, some fake and some transported wooden buildings preserved. It is the only 21st-century real shopping mall built on wood having cafes restaurants and commercial museums to add to life. As you enter the place you see a bronze monster guarding the place which happens to be a mythological beast in the culture of Irkutsk

Kazanskya Tserkov is a beautiful place that is famous for its traditional houses built of wood. The prime location of visit is the Kazan Church also known as the Church Of Our Lady Kazan. It was built in 1885 and has the largest Church bell of the city till date. The paintings that are present on the premises of the place are adorable for a person who has a keen interest in history. The locals describe the building and the traditional houses as a Fairytale Castle because of the beautiful walls and Majestic domes that the architecture carries.

130 Kvartal

Museums

House Museum Prince SG Volkonsky is a special place in the heart of the people living here because of the importance that it holds in the 30-year long exile of the Decemberists of Siberia. It was this place that's the struggle of the prince who was the hero of the patriotic war of 1812. When the original building was destroyed it was rebuilt according to the classical nobility and traditions. The Manson of the building was a place where parties were conducted. The building also contains original relics and some memories of the struggle.

Irkutsk Regional Art Museum was founded in December 1782 and boasts of being one of the oldest museums in Russia. It was the initiative of the Governor of the place Governor F. Klitschka which led to the construction of the place. The unique mineral collections and herbarium are the main centres of attraction present inside the museum. It is a site which has a lot of information to tell you about ancient Siberia and other territories with a primary focus on education. Though the museum's major part burnt down in a fire in 1879 destroying more than 22 thousand unique exhibits, and a rich library having thousands of books, the residents of the place did not give up and rebuild the organisation with the help of donations.

City History Museum – This museum is not very famous as compared to the other museums located in Irkutsk. It is situated nearby the Volkonsky Decembrists Museum as well as the bus stop. It is decorated with pictures of the city as depicted in the 18th and 19th century. It also depicts models and archaeological artefacts. It is a great place for history lovers to learn more about the culture and ancient living practices of the primitive locals of the area.

The Icebreaker Angara Museum is the most unusual monument of the place which was originally used for the purpose of ice breaking in the Lake Baikal of Russia.

Irkutsk Regional Art Museum

Eat

There are various but taking options for visiting in the city of Irkutsk. It is famous for being an absolute Paradise when it comes to Siberian Buryat and Baikal cuisine. It turns out to be a good place to explore both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. It is famous for its healthy Poza dumpling and Buhler meat stew. It has more than dozens of luxurious restaurants. The places are famous for their fresh and exotic dishes which is What Makes The Tourist absolutely loves it. The main dishes include dumplings Mutton, lamb, and steak dishes with local essence to it. The famous soups of the place also include native Siberian exotic recipes. Being a visited place it has the essence of other South Asian exotic cuisines as well making it comfortable if you prefer more spices and intense flavors. The various go to restaurants are listed below for you to relax and get going easily in the city.

Traditional Local Restaurants

La Boulangerie and Patisserie (Bakery)

Kochevnik (Mongolian)

Poznaya na Lenina (Buryat)

Rassolnik (100 percent Soviet Era Menu)

Baikal love cafe (Siberian Eatery)

Mamay (East Asian)

Design bar (Chinese theme)

Figaro (Western Europe theme)

Gastrobar Kamchatka

Mamochka

Vegetarian and Vegan

Though the people are primarily non-vegetarian, the city has many vegetarian-friendly restaurants to Cater to the comfort of the local vegetarians and tourists. Some of these restaurants are listed as per their popularity and ranking based on customer review:

Sushied

Figaro

Design bar

Rassolnik

Prego Italian Restaurant

Pesto Testo

Brasserie

Kochevnik

Renovatio

Govinda Cafe

Street Food

Although the people in the city of Irkutsk are known for their love of home cooking, you can conveniently find some popular local snacks and comfort food in the streets.

Cheburek is a pastry which is a much-beloved snack of the local people and is made by stuffing minced meat and spices fried in boiling oil. Meat juices are likely E2 squared from the hot Pi which is really tasty and would give you to the satisfaction you are searching for in the food

Blini is a thin pancake consumed all over Russia for centuries. It is a popular street food which is famous for its old style Russian texture and a range of different fillings of Ham, cheese, or bread to honey jam or sweetened condensed milk.

Baked potato is much beloved in the land and has a lot of popularity in the name of tiny potato which has a variety of fillings including cheese, butter, chicken and pickled mushroom, salty cheese with dill and salmon

Shawarma is a sliced meat wrap that came to the country in 1990 and was adopted heartily with the use of vegetable ketchup and mayonnaise. It is a street food which is loved by all.

Doughnuts are sweet street food which came to Russia in the Soviet era and gained immense popularity, Unlike the American doughnuts. These are balls fried and covered with powdered sugar which proves to be a treat.

Drink

From Cafes to Bars, you get to drink all types of things. You can find a great café where you can drink coffee with someone. You can also try alcohol in the bars of Irkutsk.

Tap-water

Though the tap water is comparatively clean and free of microorganisms, still the travel guides in Russia warn against drinking the tap water directly without boiling or treating. The city has Municipal water systems but Travellers have to be more cautious with the consumption of untreated water. The bottled drinking water constitutes 42% of Russia's bottled beverage market which clearly shows that one should not take the risk of drinking tap water while in the City.

Organic Cafés

As the locals are primarily non-vegetarian it takes a lot of effort to find some vegan or vegetarian restaurants in the place. Given here are some of the go-to places you can always visit if you are a vegetarian.

Govinda

Jito

Oishi

Fitokuhnya

Nesahar bar

Oh my Chickpea

Raw dessert

Breweries

The shortage of breweries in the city tells us that the locals do not prefer brewed beverages in their meals. However, if you really love brewed beverages, you get options like the Heineken Brewery Bekal or Fuller's or Slata or Bier Haus.

Activities

There are a lot of things that you as a tourist can do to enjoy in the city. The activities that the place supports include ice breaker museum, churches, shopping, an annual cultural festival, the magnificent Lake Baikal, and exploring the fine arts collection of the city.

The Icebreaker Museum is a place that became the Angara museum which is visited by tourists as a major attraction in the City. It was saved from being demolished in 1990 and was preserved in Irkutsk as one of the most important ports in Siberia which were earlier used to break the ice on Les bacal to make it possible for travel to go on

Churches Though many churches all across Russia but the prince waldameer ministry remains one of the most visited attractions that has remained since the 19th century in honour of the Russian Prince who Christianised Russia a thousand years ago. The place has a rich history and religious involvement and abundant orthodox churches which are really beautiful and give good photography opportunities to the tourists.

Shopping for a pair of boots decorated with fur and Leather is really famous and useful in the usually cold environment to keep the discomfort at bay. This is the one thing you should always look for when visiting the Russian market.

Annual Sculpture festival is an unforgettable experience for the tourists who love the Holy Festival Vibe. A few years ago, there was even an ice Castle at the place known as the ice sculpture festival which is a place worth visiting.

Lake Baikal is a prime tourist location famous as one of the prime tourist locations to appreciate the biodiversity and biological wealth that the place holds. It is sure to leave you spellbound and happy if you are a passionate nature lover.

Fine arts collection is also one of the peculiarities of the place which focuses mainly on ethnography, folk art and architecture of the indigenous people. The place includes indigenous sculptures and paintings which are loved by the people and tourists in general.

Yoga and Retreats

There are not that many Yoga retreat centers in the city but you can find a few near Lake Baikal. Although you can practice yoga in nearby parks.

Accommodation

Irkutsk offers you a variety of options for eco-friendly accommodation from green hotels to camping. As the city is not that populated which makes it a comfortable place to spend your time in.

Green Hotels

Living in a green hotel is the best eco-friendly way to stay in a city. Here are a few green hotels are given below:

Hotel Europe

Courtyard Irkutsk City Center

Green Hotel

International Hotel Sayen

Boutique Hotel Marussia

Hostels and Guest Houses

Here are a few Hostels and Guest Houses in Irkutsk where you can get a comfortable living:

Z Hostel

Rolling Stones Hostel

Hostel Rukavichka

Riverside

Berezka

Apartments

You can rent apartments of all types according to your budget. Here are a few places where you can rent an apartment for yourself:

Irkutsk Central Apartment

Apartment Baikal Hill Residence

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is now available all over in Russia, you can enquire with the locals for a host who provides Couchsurfing. You can also search online for places to Couchsurf.

Camping

Camping is a very viable method of living on a trip as it is eco friendly and saves a lot of money. Here are some campsites in Irkutsk for accommodation.

Camping on Olkhon

Camping Zara

Toynak Guest Houses and Campsite

How to Get There

Irkutsk is said to be the largest city and also an administrative center in Irkutsk Oblast. You get many ways to reach Irkutsk by different means of transport. Given below are some of the ways which will help you to reach there easily.

Air

The Irkutsk International Airport is at about approximately 60 kms from the beautiful Lake Bekal and happens to be located at the outskirts of the town. The airport serves with regular domestic planes to different locations. Angara Reservoir is close to the airport giving it foggy weather. If the airport is closed due to bad weather condition The Other airports of the adjacent cities serve as alternatives for air travel.

The Irkutsk International Airport

Bus

There is a local bus facility to reach the town once you are in Russia. It is easy and convenient to board a bus because the buses are easily available.

Bus in Irkutsk

Train

The Railway Station Irkutsk- Passazhirsky is an important stop along the Trans-Siberian Railway and is a prime passenger railway station in the city of Irkutsk in Russia spread over a whopping 7590 square meters of the area which makes it spacious and comfortable.

Train in Irkutsk

Hitchhiking

Though it is easy to hitchhike a bus, the locals will not encourage a stranger in their vehicle because of the potential threats of robbery, pickpocketing and fraud. The guides also warn the tourists to avoid hitchhiking because it can lead to them being stuck in a scandal or being robbed because of the unfamiliarity of the place.

Others

If you have been in the Russian cities you just know how cheap it is to move across the diagonals of the city. For just about 20 rubles you can travel wherever you want without any distance or time limit.

Moving Around

The historical Irkutsk is a beautiful city and one can enjoy this beauty by moving around in some of the following ways such as:

Walk

Walking around the city is always the best option to have a close glimpse of the place and have an insight into the lives of the local people. You can also encounter various less known and interesting places with the help of locals if you are good at reading the road signs or if you understand the language that is spoken locally. You can also take help from the local people for the same.

Bicycle

Bicycling is another good option and an eco-friendly alternative to the other comparatively polluting conveyances. Not only is it good for health but also for the environment. It also helps to cope up with the traffic that the busy city May sometimes bother you with.

Electronic Vehicles

Amidst the rising concerns about the environment, there has been in a large shift of attention to the use of electric vehicles for the sake of saving the environment. Though electric vehicles are not in much fashion in the City, it is still a field of great improvement and investment by the government.

Public Bus

The government as well as local people encourage travel through the bus. Though the city has no famous bus terminals, bus travel is still a prime choice for transportation to the local areas. It is encouraged because buses are a form of Sustainable transport because of the minimum pollution that it causes. There are almost 30 buses deployed for service to the town that runs along the diagonals of Irkutsk. As there is a quick service, you can easily get a bus to reach almost anywhere in the City. You can easily hitch a bus as there is slow traffic and quick service.

Tram, Train and Subway

Tram, train, and Subway are easily available and readily accessible by both the local people and the tourist. The use of these alternatives of transportation is also encouraged because of the sustainability that they offer.

Sustainable Shopping

Shopping in an industrial city is hard but there are a few places where you can easily shop and get things for your daily needs. Here are some of the markets in the city where you can get what you need also you can buy souvenirs for your family and friends:

Food Markets

The city of Irkutsk will fill you up with amazement with the range of different cuisines and foods that offers. It has various food markets which are primary non-vegetarian but also cater to the demands of vegetarian and vegan guest. It has a range of Exotic cuisine to street food and a great choice of beverage options.

Flea Markets

Irkutsk is a trading centre of Russia which has many options to attract its buyers. You can find T-shirts, magnets, plates, toys, brass articles, ethnic artefacts, Natural stone products, Pine forest artefacts, healing cedar jelly, Siberian delicacies, exotic food, clothes, jewellery and cosmetics at premium and medium price categories. The popular Cloth Street is Baikalskaya has interesting jewellery matching with the local Lifestyle. There are various Government and private-owned shopping centres and different chain of shops to serve you.

Second Hand Stores

What somebody who is conscious of the environmental impact of fast fashion and wants to have cheap goods, Irkutsk has a lot to offer. You can find nearly everything in the second-hand shops of the city from Standard designer and charity shops. Luxury brands like Gucci are also available in in the garage sale. There are markets where you can find a discount of up to 50% on various articles of quality and also find shops that donate 100% of the profit to charity. There is nothing that the place does not have. The main attractions include Planeta Second Hand Market.

Eco-Fashion

The people of the region have started to think about responsible travel and have started considering to carry the idea of Eco fashion-forward with various steps in the sustainability of economic social and environmental aspects of the city. If you want to contribute to Eco-fashion and sustainable travel you can avoid buying souvenirs that exploit wildlife and you can also eat locally to help the weaker Strata of the region. The advantage of buying clothes and accessories from local vendors is that it is cheap and the money you spend goes to somebody who is needy.

Recycling

The current waste management system of Irkutsk has a heavy load because it takes household commercial and institutional waste from Irkutsk and Siberia which brings it to a total of 500000 tons of total waste full stop the current system is on a major load and the place requires advancement in the technology for waste management. The sustainability plans of the region have targeted of saving about 1200 kg of Co2 per year with the significant amount for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The locals have taken to the practice of Sustainable recycling and involve energy-efficient alternative in their daily needs. It is essential to produce energy from the waste that is being eradicated out untreated and ends up being of no use to the environment or the people of Irkutsk.

Waste

Around 0.5 Million Tons of commercial, household, and institutional waste is being handled and managed annually in this region. This waste management is based on filling old lands without any control of gas and leachate. Ninety-Seven Percent of the waste is disposed of at the old Alexandrovsky landfill.

Work and Study Abroad

In the increasing scenario of globalization, it has become important for educational institutions and work institutions to encourage the inhabitants of their region to work abroad. Irkutsk also has various work and study organizations that support the students and working-class who want to study abroad or work in a different country.

Exchange Student

State University and Irkutsk Medical University are among the prime institutions that encourage exchange students for higher studies. These institutes encourage foreign education and cultural exchange with different nations across the globe.

Au Pair

One can easily find an au pair or a female Nanny who they can employ if they are new to Irkutsk. There are different agencies and websites that provide the services of hiring an au pair who is trustworthy and gives affordable services. You can easily find an au pairs with specific traits and experience according to your preferences. Whether you are searching for a part-time, a live out a u pair, or even if a full-time lives in a u pair, you can easily find one on various digital platforms.

Volunteering

One can Volunteer in Irkutsk Oblast for the Kadalinski Cliff tower, the Uitag natural monument, Pribaikhalski national park, Baikalski national nature reserve, etc. There are also many NGOs in the city where you can enroll yourself for volunteering.