Siberia’s Fascinating City, Kyzyl

The city of Kyzyl is the capital of the Tuva Republic in the extreme east of Siberia, Russia. Kyzyl lays claim to being located precisely in the geographical center of Asia - a claim that has proven to be somewhat controversial. Nonetheless, there is a monument in the city that is labeled in English, Russian and Tuvan as the “Center of Asia”. Established in 1914 under the name of Belotsarsk, the city was renamed in 1918 as Khem-Beldyr, before finally being named in Kyzyl in 1926. The Tuva Republic joined the Soviet Union in 1944.

Samovar – An Enduring Russian Tradition

The samovar is a part of the culture in Russia. It has a long history and is said to have been the invention of the Russians, however, its origins are disputed. Every household in Russia had a samovar, and can still be found in households, being used either out of nostalgia or tradition. A samovar is best described as a Russian teapot, that derives its name from two words, meaning “boil itself”. They can be found in all shapes and sizes, and are often bought by tourists, looking to take home piece of Russian culture.

Top Bird Watching Destinations

Russia is the largest country in the world, offering a multitude of exciting bird watching opportunities in diverse natural habitats – forests, mountain, tundra, swamps, lakes, rivers and seacoast.

Fantastic Shopping in Moscow

The GUM department store in Moscow, Russia, is a historical building that served many purposes before becoming the centre of modern fashion and lifestyle accessories. Its design and interior are breathtaking and can be described as a work of art. But after visitors have gotten over the sheer magnificence of the building, their attention is quickly drawn to the shops and stores that await them in this three storey shopping paradise.

Appreciating the Craft of Russian Khokhloma

The Russian craft known as Khokhloma is a specialized technique of painting wood which has been part of Russia’s traditional crafts for more than 300 years, and is still being practiced by skilled craftsmen today. This craft first came to light in the latter part of the 17th century in the trade settlement of Khokhloma – from which the craft took its name – in the area of Russia now known as the Koverninsky District of the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.

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