Khakassia is the southern region of Siberia, primarily popular as a tourist route due to its natural features. Traveling around the republic with a good company and a camera is a guarantee of vivid impressions for a long time. The ecological component also does not fail, so that guests will receive a powerful boost of energy and breathe fresh air.
However, the trip will not be limited only to the inspection of reserves, dens, lakes and caves. Lovers of other destinations will not be bored either. There are ancient fortresses, iconic cathedrals, modern bridges in Khakassia. They allow locals and visitors to feel involved in the history of the entire country: in almost any constituent entity of the Russian Federation, you can find a similar set of attractions.
The most interesting and beautiful places in Khakassia
List, photos with names and descriptions of popular attractions in the region!
Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP
Construction began in 1963 and lasted until the 2000s. In 2014, a major accident occurred at the hydroelectric power station, the consequences of which have already been eliminated. Stands on the Yenisei. The height of the dam is more than two hundred and forty meters, the length is about a thousand and a half. The dam forms the reservoir of the same name. It offers an incredibly breathtaking view of the surroundings.
Ulug Khurtuyakh Tas
Initially, a three-meter-high stone statue was discovered next to the Ankhak Hall. However, in 1954 it was forced to be taken to the local museum of local lore, as there was a danger of being destroyed by vandals. The statue carved out of stone dates back to the end of the 3rd - the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. The pagans worshiped this female figure, and the people developed many legends associated with her.
Khakassky reserve
Opened in 1999. Occupies an area of more than two hundred and sixty thousand hectares. It is divided into nine clusters according to the type of terrain and according to the historical component: "Underwater bogs", "Zaimka Lykovs", Oglakhty ", Lake Itkul", "Lake Shira", "Kamyzyakskaya steppe", "Maly Abakan", "Lake Belyo", " Hol-Bogaz ". Thirty-five species of local flora and fauna are rare and under special protection.
Shirinsky lakes
Several lakes located in one area form a resort area. Tourists from their own countries come here. Local silt mud is used for cosmetic purposes, as it is full of useful components. Lakes vary in size, water salinity and other components. Other natural attractions are nearby - the Chests Mountains and the Tuimskiy Proval.
Big Salbyk Kurgan
Built around the 7th century BC. There is a thematic museum nearby. For the first time, full-scale excavations were carried out here in the middle of the last century. Later, research continued and many artifacts were found: knives, clay utensils, inscriptions, millstones, and so on. The height of the mound is over eleven meters. On its territory there are traces of earlier unscientific and careless excavations.
Chests
It is a natural monument located on an area of more than two thousand hectares. A museum-type reserve was opened here in 2011. Some uplands of the mountain range have their own names. Some areas have preserved the memory of the stay of ancient people here. This also applies to rock paintings, and burial mounds, and the remains of household items found during excavations nearby.
Tuimsky failure
It was formed on the site of a mine that was closed in the 50s of the last century. There were problems with collapses even during the operation of the mine. The collapse at the top led to the appearance of a depression. Now there is a lake with a diameter of two hundred meters. Its waters are bright blue and it is not yet clear what caused this. An observation deck is equipped. The area attracts fans of extreme sports.
Kurgan Badger Log
Located near Abakan. Excavations were carried out in the early 2000s. It was possible to establish the time of its creation - the middle of the 1st millennium BC. Long before the advent of the researchers, the mound was plundered, so it was not possible to find especially valuable artifacts either from a historical point of view, or from a material point of view. The building is made of stones, clay, earth and larch.
Kashkulak cave
It is located in the Shirinsky region in the Koshkulak mountain. Belongs to karst. It has three tiers and three entrances. In some periods, the bottom of the cave is partially or completely flooded with water. The total length is about eight hundred meters. Scientific expeditions continue to be sent here. However, to a greater extent, this is a tourist site, and not a place of research. Tours are conducted by experienced guides on an ongoing basis.
Ancestral Trail (Shaman Trail)
It passes through Togyz-Az - a rocky massif, the name of which is translated as "Nine mouths". The beginning is a bridge over the Bely Yuis river. The path lies past steep cliffs, picturesque grottoes of overgrown slopes, natural arches, mountains of bizarre shape, for example, "Camel Mountains". Some areas are difficult to pass, you have to try to get on your feet. The views from any point are picturesque.
Pandora's Box Cave
Opened in the early 70s of the last century. It is located in the Kuznetsk Alatau Upland on the left bank of the White Iyus. The length is eleven kilometers. Although a rough map of the cave has been compiled, work is still underway to clarify the details. There are many grottoes, landslides, small reservoirs and galleries inside. Bats are found. The temperature varies, the average is within +5 ° С.
Ivanovskie lakes and glaciers
An amazing place, which can be reached both independently and as part of an excursion group. Several lakes with clear water vary in depth and diameter. They have only one thing in common - coverage near the coast. Here layers of ice lie even in hot weather. The unique spectacle forces tourists to travel impressive distances to see this incongruous combination.
Boyarskaya scribble
Opened in 1904. A monument of the Tagar culture, consisting of the Small and Large groups of hieroglyphs. Located on the left bank of the Yenisei. Researchers have determined the time of the appearance of the scribble very conditionally: VII-III BC. At the same time, scientists note that there are later inscriptions here. As for the drawings, they depict everyday life, leisure, fictional paintings and so on.
Museum-reserve "Kazanovka"
Created in 1996. It is located on the territory of the Askiz district. The total area exceeds eighteen thousand hectares. The place was chosen for a reason: here you can find the beauty of Khakassia and archaeological finds - part of the history of the region. The relief is changeable, the flora is diverse, and the fauna is very inferior to it in this indicator. Natural monuments coexist with man-made antiquities throughout the territory.
Borodino cave
It has been a local natural monument since 1977. Located in the Bogradsky district. Belongs to the karst class. The length exceeds one and a half thousand kilometers. Within the family of impressive-sized grottoes, there are bats. The study continues, as does the drawing up of a detailed map. For inspection you need to find a qualified guide.
Lake Marankul
Located in the Western Sayan. The height above sea level is more than one and a half kilometers. The water is very clean and its temperature never exceeds + 16 ° C. There is abundant vegetation around: from dwarf birches to fir trees. There are many fish in the lake, moreover, and rare species. The area is inhabited by predators, for example, snow leopards, but they are few in number and rarely show up, mutually avoiding people.
Poltakovskiy open-air rock art museum
It was founded in 2003 and was independent until 2016, when it became a branch of "Khurtuyakh tas".Located within the village of Poltakov. The exhibits of the museum are stone slabs exhibited in the open air. They depict drawings from different periods, mostly very ancient without an exact date of application. They were discovered not far from here during excavations in the 80s of the last century.
Tuzuksu cave
They are found on the banks of the river of the same name. The entrance to the cave is easy to find, but in winter it is covered with snow. The total length is one and a half kilometers. There are several spacious rooms connected by narrow aisles. There are also small reservoirs, the water level in which changes depending on the season. The streaky formations, which were of value to researchers, were destroyed by tourists.
Fortress Chebaki
It is located on the top of Mount Sve-Takh on the right bank of the Black Iyus. It is one of the forty-five monuments of a similar type built in the district. It has two lines of defense - versatile walls. Their height decreases over time due to destruction and other reasons. Now it is one and a half meters. The location was not chosen by chance - the relief and natural features were used in the construction.
Safronovsky burial ground
Belongs to the Tagar culture. The age of the burial ground is about two and a half thousand years. It is located near the banks of the Es River. Consists of several mounds of different sizes. The position of the buried person in society during his lifetime determined the height and diameter of the burial place assigned to him after death. The stones placed side by side are distributed according to the same principle. They are carved with drawings.
Uytak mountain range
It is located in the Askiz district, nearby there is the Razdolnaya station. A feature of the area is the remains of petrified plants, including trees. In the past, the county was considered a good place for rituals. The peoples inhabiting the territory worshiped the spirit of the mountains and arranged ceremonies for it. The relief here is multi-layered, which is why both near and from a distance the mountains seem indistinct and therefore even more beautiful and unusual.
Lake Ulug-Kol
It is located in the Uybat steppe. Its area exceeds seven hundred hectares. The name translates as "Big Lake". Three rivers flow into it. Due to the complex of minerals that saturate the water, it tastes bitter-salty. On the northern coast, the area becomes swampy. The lake is covered with ice for several months a year. It is especially protected for its unique flora and fauna, especially for the breeding of the sandpiper.
Landscape park "Gardens of Dreams" in Abakan
Opened in 2007. All thirty gardens, forming a single system, have different themes and other features. The park is a symbiosis of man-made beauties: bridges, fountains, benches. And the natural splendor of blooming sakura, sprawling juniper, bright flower beds. There are also corners with representatives of the fauna: from the smallest snails to poultry or cats.
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of Abakan
It was illuminated in 2005, at the same time it began to fully receive parishioners. It has seven domes of a deep dark color due to an alloy of nitrite-titanium and a five-tiered iconostasis. An imposing bell tower of twelve bells. Inside there are relics that are important to all Orthodox: a part of the Holy Cross, a stone from Mount Tabor, several icons painted by masters of different schools and different ages.
Bratsk bridge
Start of construction - 1999. Traffic on it was opened already in 2003. Crosses the Yenisei. It connects Khakassia, located on the left bank, and the Krasnoyarsk Territory, respectively, on the right. Became part of the federal highway. There are two lanes in each direction. Stops on the bridge are prohibited. The length exceeds three hundred and fifty meters.
