The Winter Wonderland of Krasnoyarsk, Siberia

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Posted 2020-03-15 by Peter Lynch ⇒ follow

It's certainly not the most renowned part of the world, but Siberia certainly has its perks, with the outstanding natural beauty of the region up there among the world's most stunning spots.

And one city within Siberia that perhaps boasts more beauty than most is Krasnoyarsk, the third-largest in the region with a population of over one million. It's known locally as one of Russia's top aluminium producers, as well as being a key junction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. But there's so much more to this simple but exciting place.

Located on the never-ending Yenisei River, kept from freezing by the city's hydroelectric dam, Krasnoyarsk boasts short but warm summers, with the cool Siberian air whistling in through the night.

But this icy wonderland is undoubtedly brought to life best throughout the winter months, where temperatures regularly fall well below zero as the dark evenings come creeping in.

The 124-metre tall dam is certainly one of the area's top spots to see, not to mention the waterfall it creates. Several museums will also be of interest, with the Vasily Surikov Museums top of that list, paying homage to the great Russian painter who lived in the area before joining the National Academy of Arts in Moscow.

The Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum and Culture and History Center are also intriguing spots not to be missed, while the Karaulnaya Gora leads up to the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel, a remote and hugely peaceful site that not is not only depicted on the ten ruble banknote but also offers an incomparable panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains.

There's always something happening throughout Krasnoyarsk, with theatre, concerts, street art and of course the beauty of Russian ballet, taking place in several of the city's unique yet equally historic venues.

The local airport can take you to all the major Russian cities, as well as international flights to the likes of Azerbaijan and China, so there really is no excuse not to come and visit.

So, wrap up, be prepared for that chilling winter bite, but experience this serene and charming city while you can. It's not known to many, but author Anton Chekhov wasn't wrong when he judged Krasnoyarsk to be the most beautiful city in Siberia.