Listvyanka is the most famous and accessible resort on Lake Baikal, located just 70 km from Irkutsk. It`s the place where almost all tourists head if they only have one day to see the lake. If the wild and severe Olkhon captivates with its pristine natural power, then Listvyanka is the "civilized" gateway to the world of Baikal.
Here, hotels and restaurants line the shore of the lake, and it`s pleasant to stroll along the asphalt embankment. Don`t expect the solitude and silence of Olkhon from Listvyanka — its main advantages are its developed infrastructure and the concentration of attractions in a small area.
Main Attractions in Listvyanka
Baikal Embankment and the Source of the Angara
This is the heart of Listvyanka. A walk along the embankment is an obligatory ritual. It offers beautiful views of Baikal, the Shaman Rock, and the opposite shore. It is right here, opposite Listvyanka, that the Angara River, Baikal`s only daughter, flows out of the lake. The Shaman Rock, visible in the water, is a legendary cliff associated with the famous Buryat legend about the love of Angara and Yenisey.
Baikal Limnological Museum
This is one of the most interesting museums dedicated to the lake. Here you won`t just learn about Baikal—you will truly understand its scale and uniqueness.
• Aquariums: Live exhibits feature Baikal fish, the nerpa (seal), and unique Epischura baicalensis crustaceans.
• Interactive Map of Baikal: Allows you to study the lake`s bottom and shores.
• Virtual Dive: Aboard a simulated bathyscaphe, you will take a thrilling journey to the bottom of Baikal.
• Dendropark: The "Stone Grove" trail on the museum`s grounds tells the story of the region`s geology.
Nerpinarium
This is the only place where you are guaranteed to see the Baikal nerpa—the unique freshwater seal. These intelligent and charming animals demonstrate remarkable tricks: playing with a ball, singing, painting, and solving simple arithmetic problems. The show is extremely popular, especially with children.
Chersky Stone and the Cable Car
To see Listvyanka and the source of the Angara from a bird`s-eye view, you need to climb to the summit of Chersky Stone Peak (height 728 m). A cable car leads to the base, and a walking trail continues from the upper station. At the top, a viewing platform awaits you with a panoramic view that is worth the effort. Near the upper cable car station, there is a ski slope—Sobolinaya Mountain. This is a modern ski resort that operates in winter, and in summer offers bicycle and scooter rentals, as well as hiking on the slopes.
Market with Baikal Fish and Souvenirs
At Listvyanka`s central market, be sure to try Baikal delicacies: smoked omul (both hot and cold smoked) and Siberian pelmeni (dumplings). Here you can also buy souvenirs made from birch bark and Baikal gemstones, fur products, and famous tea made from Baikal herbs.
Excursion to the Circum-Baikal Railway (CBR)
This is one of the most impressive excursions you can start from Listvyanka. The CBR is not just a railway, but a grand monument of engineering art. It is called the "golden buckle of Russia`s steel belt."
What is it? An 89 km section between the stations of Baikal and Slyudyanka, built at the beginning of the 20th century. Along this stretch, 38 tunnels, 15 stone galleries, and 248 bridges and viaducts were constructed. Today, it is not used for railway transport.
How does the excursion work? Most often, tourists depart from Listvyanka by boat to Port Baikal, where they board a special tourist train (often with steam locomotive traction). The train moves slowly along the most scenic route, winding between cliffs and tunnels, with stops for photos at the most beautiful viewpoints. You will see Cape Tolsty, the "Belaya Vyemka" tunnel, the Italian Wall, and many other objects. This is a journey into the past and simultaneously a chance to enjoy the power of Baikal`s nature.
The Trail to Bolshoye Goloustnoye
The Great Baikal Trail (GBT)—a large-scale project to create a network of ecological trails around the lake—begins in Listvyanka.
Route: The hiking trail from Listvyanka to Bolshoye Goloustnoye is one of the classic and most popular treks on Baikal.
Length and Difficulty: Approximately 24 km. The route is considered physically demanding. It takes 1-2 days (with an overnight stay in a tent). Beginner tourists are better off going with an experienced guide.
What to expect: The trail runs along the shore of Baikal, sometimes climbing onto picturesque capes (for example, Cape Skala Shapka), then descending into cozy coves. You will encounter coniferous forests, rocky sections, stunning views of the lake, and an absolute sense of unity with nature. In Bolshoye Goloustnoye, you can end the route and take a bus back to Irkutsk or Listvyanka.
