The main attraction of the Altai Territory is the magnificent nature. Picturesque transparent lakes, deep mountain rivers, mysterious caves and rocks, mountains covered with legends, endless forests, mineral healing springs. Cognitive tourism in the Altai Territory is associated with visiting numerous archaeological sites and museum expositions, as well as entire memorial museum complexes created in memory of the famous natives of the region. Holidays in Altai can be associated with fishing, hunting, living in nature, active sports, health improvement activities and even, more recently, gambling.
The most interesting and beautiful places in the region
List, photos with names and descriptions of the main attractions!
Pine ribbon pine forests
Forests that stretch along rivers in the form of strips from 5 to 40 km wide are called ribbon pine forests. There are 5 of them in Altai, the largest is the Barnaul Bor belt, its length along the Ob River is more than 400 km. Altai forest bands have no analogues in the world, it is believed that they were formed during the Ice Age. The unique flora and fauna of these places is mesmerizing; it is one of the most popular holiday destinations among tourists.
Belokurikha resort town
A large balneological resort at the foot of Mount Tserkovka is known far beyond the borders of the region. At the end of the 19th century, radon thermal springs with healing mineral water were discovered here. It is not only water that heals here, but also the local air - the amount of air ions in it is twice as high as in the best Swiss resorts, and phytoncides are also present in large quantities. Recently, Belokurikha has acquired the status of one of the most popular ski resorts.
Mount Tserkovka
One of the natural attractions of the resort of Belokurikha. The mountain peak with a cross installed on it resembles a church dome, hence the name Tserkovka. You can climb to the very top of the cliff, from which a wonderful view of the picturesque surroundings, covered with forests, opens, on foot along the paved path or by cable car. There is a small cafe upstairs where you can have a bite to eat. In winter, the mountain turns into a popular ski resort.
Lake Bolshoye Yarovoe
Famous lake with an area of 53 km2 located in the Kulundinskaya steppe, near Slavgorod. The reservoir is known for its miraculous properties, which are due to the presence of healing silt mud and highly mineralized salt water in it. These natural resources are successfully used in medicine for the treatment and prevention of many diseases. For this purpose, sanatoriums and balneological hospitals have been built on the coast of the lake.
Denisova cave
One of the natural monuments of the Altai Territory, on the territory of which archaeologists have been working since the second half of the last century. Tens of thousands of unique exhibits have already been collected - hunting accessories, tools, the remains of more than 100 species of ancient animals and plants. It is assumed that our ancestors lived in this area 280 thousand years ago. This is proved by the remains of a still unknown species of people called the Altai or Denisov people.
Museum-reserve of V.M.Shukshin
The small village of Srostki in Altai became famous thanks to its famous countryman - Vasily Shukshin. In memory of him, a whole memorial complex of several buildings and corners of nature associated with the life of the writer was created here. Among them are the school where Shukshin studied, the house in which he spent his childhood and the house that he bought for his mother. The museum also includes the local cemetery, Popovsky Island, a small chapel and Mount Piket, famous for its annual Shukshin readings.
Lake Aya
The lake is located near the famous Chuisky tract, on the border between the steppe and mountain Altai, and is very popular with tourists. It resembles a crescent in shape, therefore it has such an unusual name, which is translated from Turkic as "moon". The climate in this area is quite mild, mountains protect the lake from the wind from all sides, the water is warm in summer, even children can swim. There are many hotels and hostels on the coast, water activities are offered.
Turquoise Katun
This is a large-scale tourist area on the banks of the largest river in the Altai Territory - Katun. The infrastructure of the resort includes numerous hotels, bases, restaurants and cafes, sports grounds, and shopping malls. There is also an artificial lake with warm water, offering a lot of water activities. It is impossible to swim in the Katun itself because of the strong current and low water temperature, but, nevertheless, rafting on the river is very popular.
Tavdinskie caves
In the Altai mountains, there are about 500 caves, many are recognized as natural monuments, and among them are Tavdinsky caves, 5 km long. This is a complex of three dozen caves of different shapes and depths, connected to each other. They are located in the valley of the Katun River. The most visited is the Bolshaya Tavdinskaya Cave, inside it there is electricity, stairs and railings are installed. The ledge in the center of the cave looks like a gnome. According to legend, this is her keeper, and you need to leave him a coin.
Cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok river
The small picturesque river Shinok and its environs are a natural monument, a nature reserve, one of the most popular tourist sites in Altai. All this thanks to a cascade of 7 large and small waterfalls of amazing beauty. Their total length is 120 meters, and the height of the largest is 70 meters. All waterfalls have names like Giraffe or Yogi. The river is also interesting for its fauna. Here you can find rare peregrine falcons, marals, two-colored leathers.
Siberian coin
The only entertainment complex in Siberia with an area of more than 2,000 hectares, on the territory of which the gambling business is permitted by law. It includes a chain of exclusive casinos, five-star hotels and villas, shopping and sports centers, a water park, a cinema and concert complex, a snowboard park, a helipad and much more. There is a gambling zone not far from the resort "Turquoise Katun".
Mining pharmacy-museum in Barnaul
The cozy, homely atmosphere of this establishment will not leave anyone indifferent. Here they will give you delicious tea, offer to taste the famous Altai balsams, take a tour of the pharmacy museum, reveal the secrets of making old medicines and pills. By the way, there is a pharmacy in an old building - the first brick building in Barnaul, here, more than two hundred years ago, the first pharmacy in Altai was opened.
Mount Devil's Finger
The 250-meter-high mountain covered with ancient legends is located not far from Lake Aya. If you look closely, the rocky ledge at its top really resembles a lone finger sticking out of the ground. From this place, the valley of the Katun River and the picturesque Lake Aya appear in all its glory. There is a belief that the mountain heals women's diseases and gives men strength. Research has confirmed the presence of a geomagnetic node under the cliff, emitting a powerful stream of energy.
Tigirek reserve
This is a relatively young protected area in the south of the Altai Territory; it received its status at the end of the last century. The relief of this area is of interest. There are mountains, forests, cave complexes, and magnificent valleys of the Ini and Belaya rivers. Also here is the Tigirek Fortress - an architectural monument of the 18th century. The flora and fauna of the protected area are diverse, some species are considered rare and endangered.
Rock Four Brothers
A unique geological monument with a height of about 10-12 meters and an area of 75 m2 located in the south of the city of Belokurikha. If you look closely at it, you can actually see the outlines of four men standing shoulder to shoulder. You can climb up to the rocks along pedestrian paths, while there is an opportunity to meet chipmunks, squirrels, rare birds living here. Since 2000, the rock and its surroundings have received the status of a nature conservation monument.
Museum "City" in Barnaul
One of the youngest museums, which opened its doors to visitors in 2007 in an old building from pre-revolutionary times. The main task of the museum is to show the main historical moments in the life of the city through the fate of the people who played an important role in its development. More than 6 thousand museum exhibits - documents, photographs, letters, clothes, household items - allow you to gradually trace the history of the transformation of a small factory village into a modern industrial center of Siberia.
Kolyvan lake
One of the most famous lakes in the Altai Territory is located near the city of Zmeinogorsk. Its distinctive feature is the cliffs of the most bizarre, fabulous form framing along the perimeter. And also the lake is famous for the large quantities of water nuts growing here. This is a rare plant with fruits of an interesting shape, listed in the Red Book. It is believed that it has been preserved since the pre-glacial period. All conditions for comfortable rest and entertainment are created on the lake.
Tsar's mound
The largest and most spectacular of such archaeological sites in Altai is located on the banks of the Sentelek River. The diameter of the mound is 46 meters, and its height is 2 meters. It is assumed that the chief of the tribe was buried here. The uniqueness of the mound consists in the presence of an underground ring of slabs about 1.5 meters in size, as well as a number of stone steles of different heights, the distance between which is strictly 320 cm. Probably, the mound was also used as an ancient observatory.
Intercession Cathedral in Barnaul
The first service in the cathedral took place at the beginning of the last century. It was built with donations from parishioners, although it was located in the poorest area of the city. The architecture of the building corresponds to the Byzantine style; in its design, frescoes were used on the theme of paintings by Vasnetsov, Kramskoy, Nesterov. During the years of Soviet power, the cross was demolished from the domes, the bell tower was destroyed, but the temple itself survived. In 2011, it was finally renovated.
Arboretum "Kholmogorye"
The best way to take a break from everyday stress and vain worries is to plunge into the world of coniferous and deciduous greenery, medicinal herbs and shrubs, luxurious flower beds and picturesque alpine hills. The Kholmogorye complex covers an area of 800 hectares. In addition to plantations on its territory, there are two mirror ponds, a shop with products from environmentally friendly raw materials, a summer cafe, a tea house, pottery workshops, children's attractions, and a zoo.
Beloe Lake (Kurinsky District)
The lake and its surroundings are very popular with tourists. It is located at the foot of Mount Sinyukha, is small in size and almost perfectly round. Like many natural attractions of Altai, the lake has its own legend. A small island rises in the middle of the reservoir. Rumor has it that in the old days there was a workshop for the manufacture of counterfeit silver coins, and there was even more silver in them than in the real ones.
Assumption Cathedral in Biysk
In 2003, one of the most magnificent Orthodox cathedrals in the Altai Territory celebrated its centenary. It was built in the Russian-Byzantine style with donations from the townspeople and admires not only for its architecture, but also for its magnificent interior decoration. This is one of the few temples that survived during the years of Soviet rule, and after the war it remained the only temple in the southeast of the Altai Territory where church services were held.
Altai Memorial Museum of G. S. Titov
The unique museum of cosmonautics is located in the small village of Polkovnikovo. It consists of two objects: the building of the old school, in which the cosmonaut once studied, and the new building, which houses an exposition on the development of astronautics, as well as materials dedicated to the life and work of German Titov. Here you can see a mock-up of the Vostok-2 spacecraft piloted by Titov, a space suit, a logbook, a piece of lunar soil.
Museum of the Chuisky tract in Biysk
The museum is dedicated to the history of the main road of Altai and the stages of its development, starting with a small trail for horsemen and pack animals, leading to Mongolia and China, and ending with an ultra-modern track. It is symbolic that the museum is located in the house of the merchant Varvinsky, at the gates of which the Chuysky tract began. Also, the exposition of the museum introduces the peculiarities of the climate of the region, its flora and fauna, a paleontological collection and a magnificent collection of ornamental stones are presented.
State Art Museum of Altai Territory
The museum was founded in the middle of the last century. Its funds include more than 13 thousand exhibits - the best examples of Russian art, Orthodox art, starting from the 16th century, folk art of the Altai Territory and Siberia of the 18th-20th centuries, antique and Western European art. The museum regularly holds exhibitions, youth festivals, theatrical excursions, meetings with poets and musicians, master classes and games.
Museum "World of Stone" in Barnaul
The private geological museum presents a collection of minerals, ornamental and precious stones not only of the Altai Territory, but also brought from other countries. The basis for the creation of the museum was the personal mineralogical collection of the city dweller Sergei Berger. The works of Altai folk craftsmen - stone cutters are offered to the attention of visitors. One of the masterpieces is a cedar branch with jade needles, an obsidian stem, and snow on a white marble branch.
Mount Sinyukha
The slopes of Sinyukha, the highest point of the Kolyvan ridge, are densely covered with fir forests, with a slight bluish cast. Hence the name of the mountain. To conquer it, you do not need special training; you can safely climb to the top along a gentle path. A wonderful view of the White and Mokhovoe lakes, granite placers, pine forest opens from above. There are several natural granite bowls on the mountain, containing pure and tasty water, which is considered holy.
Mount Babyrgan
The height of the northernmost point of the Seminsky ridge is over 1000 meters, since the end of the last century it has been declared a natural monument. Translated from Altai, the name of the mountain means "flying squirrel". The mountain is believed to be about 300 million years old. It is not difficult to climb it, at the top there is a plateau with rocky outcrops of the most bizarre shapes. A magnificent panorama of the plains on one side and mountains on the other opens from here.
Kolyvan stone cutting plant
One of the main attractions of the Altai Territory is located in the village of Kolyvan. Since the end of the 18th century, Altai craftsmen have been processing jasper, quartzite, marble, and have made magnificent vases, bowls, fireplaces, and columns for palaces. Products of the plant, unique in their beauty, can be seen in the largest museums in Russia and other countries. A stone-cutting museum has been opened at the plant, where a collection of samples of various stones and the work of stone-cutters is presented.
Chapel at the site of the death of Mikhail Evdokimov
In a tragic accident on a highway near the city of Biysk in 2005, the popularly beloved artist and governor of the region Mikhail Evdokimov, as well as his guard and driver, died. A small chapel of Michael the Archangel was built on the site of the terrible accident a year later.There is also a memorial stone with a plaque at the foot of which there are always a lot of fresh flowers, and 47 birches have been planted, according to the number of years lived by your favorite artist.
