Everyone knows that Russia is a very diverse country, occupies a huge territory, and in its composition you can find absolutely unique regions. One of the most unusual places in our country can be called the Republic of Tuva (Tyva), located in the south of Siberia. This exotic republic is surrounded by the Sayan and Altai mountains, and is considered the land of nomads, shamans and Buddhists.
Location of the Republic of Tuva and its capital
The territory of the Republic is located in Eastern Siberia, in the very south of our country. The capital of Tuva, the city of Kyzyl, is located just 20 kilometers from the geographical center of Asia. Mongolia is located on the southern border of Tuva; on the other sides, the republic borders on Altai, Khakassia, Buryatia, the Krasnoyarsk region and the Irkutsk region. Most of the territory of Tuva (about 80%) is occupied by mountains, the height of the peaks of which is from two to three kilometers above sea level. Most of the republic's rivers belong to the Yenisei basin. At the source of the Bolshoy Yenisei River is the Derby-Taiga basalt plateau, where there are sixteen extinct volcanoes.
Climate
The Republic of Tuva is located in the Tuva depression and is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges. Therefore, a sharply continental climate prevails here. There is little rainfall in winter, and the air temperature usually drops to -30 ° C. In summer, the mountainous area remains moderately warm, and hot in the depressions, the temperature rises to + 25-35 ° C. The most favorable months for visiting Tuva are April, May and September.
Sacred Mount Dogee
The most "noticeable" tourist attraction in Tuva is Mount Dogee. It is located a two-minute drive from the capital Kyzyl, on the right bank of the Yenisei and is visible from any part of the republic. Dogee in translation from Tuvan means “to lie down”, in Soviet times the mountain was called by the name of Lenin. In ancient times, at its foot, small cattle lay and rested in the sun, now the capital of Kyzyl is located at this place. The most picturesque panorama of Tuva opens up from the top of the mountain, you can see how the Big Yenisei merge with the Small Yenisei.
Many Tuvans believe and await the arrival of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. As a call, believing Tuvans and monks wrote on Mount Doge the most important mantra in Tibetan Buddhism: "Om mani padme hum!", Which means: "O pearl shining in a lotus flower!" The length of the inscription is 120 meters, it took 500 liters of white paint to write it. This sacred inscription is visible even from space. And, despite the fact that the Dalai Lama has not yet arrived in Tuva, local residents believe that the mantra will remove all obstacles for the Dalai Lama to visit them. Ascents of pilgrims are organized to the sacred mountain Doge, Buddhist rituals are held, it is one of the most important shrines of Buddhism.
Tere-Khol lake and Por-Bazhyn fortress
Lake Tere-Khol is located in the mountains, near the border of Mongolia. In the 17th century, in the middle of the lake, the ruins of an ancient fortress were discovered, which local residents call "Por-Bazhyn" (from the Tuvan language - "clay house").
Previously, there was no lake in these places. The reasons for its occurrence are unclear. There are several legends about its formation. One of them says that in ancient times Elchigen Khan lived here. Once he saw that water was flowing from a well located near the fortress. Fleeing from the water rapidly flooding the vicinity of the fortress, Elchigen Khan exclaimed: "Ter hol!", Which means: "This is a lake." Hence the name "Tere-Khol" came from.
The scientific version tells us that earthquakes, which previously occurred quite often in these places, became the reason for the disappearance of underground sources that feed the lake. Perhaps, in one of the periods of the "disappearance" of this reservoir, the Por-Bazhyn fortress was erected. This is also confirmed by the traces of the road at the bottom of the lake.
The Por-Bazhyn fortress occupied almost the entire island. It had an original architecture, representing a rectangle oriented to the cardinal points. Behind the high fortress walls on the territory of the fortress there was a labyrinth of various buildings. A large square was located near the eastern wall, in front of the palace building. The palace itself consisted of two structures, possibly connected by a covered walkway. There were unique frescoes on the outside of the walls.
Due to its inaccessibility, the fortress was unknown to researchers for a long time. Scientists date the emergence of the fortress to the 8th century. The purpose of the fortress has not been precisely clarified either. At first, it was believed that the settlement was a monastery, but this version was abandoned. Most likely, the fortress was built as the residence of the Uighur kagan (khan, head of state). According to legends, the dungeons of the Por-Bazhyn fortress hide countless treasures. But so far no evidence of this has been found.
Sights of the capital
On one of the capital streets of the republic there is a twelve-meter obelisk, on the pedestal of which the globe with a spire rises. It symbolizes the center of Asia, as evidenced by the text embossed in three languages - Tuvan, Russian and English. "Center of Asia" is located at the point of the geographical center of Asia, where the Big and Small Yenisei merge with the outlines of mountain ranges visible on the opposite bank.
Not far from the obelisk, on one of the quiet, cozy streets of Kyzyl, there is the Tuva Republican Museum of Local Lore named after Aldyn-Maadyr. Translated from the Tuvan language, this phrase sounds "the name of sixty heroes." The museum was named so in memory of sixty shepherds-arats who rebelled against foreign invaders and local Tuvan feudal lords. However, the rebellion was suppressed, and its participants were brutally executed. Despite the defeat, this uprising played a significant role in the subsequent struggle of the Tuvans for their freedom and independence. In honor of the rebellious brave men, the capital's museum was named.
The museum exposition has a huge collection that covers the centuries-old history of Tuva, from the Stone Age to the present day. The exhibits of the museum tell us about the heyday and decline of Ancient Tuva. The collection of the museum contains the rarest items: bronze mirrors and daggers; gold and silver jewelry; quivers of leather and birch bark; and many other exhibits. All archaeological rarities stored in the museum were found on the ancient burial mounds of Tuva. Many of the treasures found are sent to the St. Petersburg Hermitage for a more detailed study. Panoramic photographs hanging on the walls of the Tuvan museum tell tourists about the excavation process and valuable finds.
Also, tourists and guests should visit the capital's museum of the artist N. Rusheva, the museum of political repression, the local philharmonic society and the house of folk art. For connoisseurs of art in the Music and Drama Theater. Victor Kok-Ool staged performances in Russian and Tuvan languages.
Tsechenling Buddhist Temple
One of the visiting cards of the capital of Tuva is the Tsechenling temple. It is located in the very center of the capital, not far from the embankment and the main square of Kyzyl. For more than a dozen years, the temple has been a symbol of Tuvan Buddhism. Buddhism came to the territory of modern Tuva at the beginning of the 9th century. The first temple structures date back four centuries later. The name of the modern temple, translated from Tuvan, means "abode of boundless compassion", which fully corresponds to the Buddhist concept. The temple was built in record time. This happened in the winter of 1998, and in the fall of 1999 the temple was consecrated. This attraction of Kyzyl is popular among guests of the capital and local residents. Visitors to the temple can join such activities as: conversations with lamas; practical classes in yoga and meditation; teaching the Tibetan language, Eastern philosophy and Buddhism.
Also worthy of interest are: the temple of shamans "Tos deer", the Buddhist temple "Tuvdan Choikhorling", the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and the Resurrection Cathedral.
Other sights of Kyzyl and the Republic of Tuva also include: the monument "Kadarchy" (shepherd), it is located at the entrance to Kyzyl; monument to Arat; at the northern entrance to the city; spring Kundustug Arzhaan with healing water; healing salt lake Dus-Khol; nature reserve Ubsunurskaya hollow.
