Everyone knows that Russia is a very diverse country, it 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 (Tuva), 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.
The 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 other sides, the republic borders on Altai, Khakassia, Buryatia, the Krasnoyarsk region and the Irkutsk region. Most of the territory of Tuva (approximately 80%) is occupied by mountains, the peaks of which are two to three kilometers above sea level. Most rivers of the republic belong to the Yenisei basin. At the source of the Big Yenisei River is the basaltic plateau of the Derby-Taiga, where there are sixteen volcanoes considered extinct.
Climate
The Republic of Tuva is located in the Tuva Basin and is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges. Therefore, a sharply continental climate prevails here. In winter, there is little rainfall; air temperature usually drops to -30 ° C. In summer, the mountains remain moderately warm, and in the basins hot weather, the temperature rises to + 25-35 ° C. The most favorable months for visiting Tuva are April, May and September.
The sacred mountain of Dogee
The most "noticeable" tourist attraction of Tuva is Mount Dogee. It is located a two-minute drive from the capital of Kyzyl, on the right bank of the Yenisei River and is visible from any part of the republic. Dogee in translation from Tuvan means "to lie", in Soviet times the mountain was called after Lenin. In ancient times, small cattle lay and rested in the sun at its foot, now the capital of Kyzyl is located in this place. From the top of the mountain a picturesque panorama of Tuva opens, you can see how the Great Yenisei and the Small Yenisei merge.
Many Tuvans believe and await the arrival of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. As a call, believing Tuvans and monks wrote on the Dogee Mountain the most important mantra in Tibetan Buddhism: "Om mani padme hum!", Which means: "Oh 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 come to them. Ascent to the sacred Mount Doge, pilgrim ascents are organized, Buddhist ceremonies are held, it is one of the 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 XVII century, in the middle of the lake, the ruins of an ancient fortress were discovered, which the locals call “Por-Bajin” (from the Tuvan language - “clay house”).
There used to be no lake in these places. The reasons for its occurrence are unclear. There are several legends telling about his education. One of them says that in ancient times Elchigen Khan lived here. Once he saw that water was flowing from a well near the fortress. Fleeing the water, rapidly flooding the neighborhood of the fortress, Elchigen Khan exclaimed: “Ter hol!”, Which means “This is a lake”. Hence the name "Tere-Khol."
The scientific version tells us that the earthquakes that used to happen quite often in these places caused the disappearance of underground sources that feed the lake. Perhaps, in one of the periods of "disappearance" of this reservoir, the fortress of Por-Bazhyn was built. This is also confirmed by the tracks on the bottom of the lake.
The fortress of Por-Bajin occupied almost the entire island. It had an original architecture, representing a rectangle oriented to the cardinal points. Behind the high walls of the fortress there was a labyrinth of various buildings on the territory of the fortress. Near the eastern wall, in front of the palace, there was a large area. The palace itself consisted of two structures, possibly connected by a covered passage. On the outside of the walls were unique murals.
Due to its inaccessibility, the fortress was unknown to researchers for a long time. Scientists date the appearance of the fortress in the 8th century. The purpose of the fortress is not exactly clarified either. At first it was believed that the ancient settlement was a monastery, but this version was abandoned. Most likely, the fortress was built as the residence of the Uighur Hagan (Khan, head of state). According to legend, the dungeons of the Por-Bajin fortress hide countless treasures. But so far no evidence has been found.
Sights of the capital
Obelisk "Center of Asia", museums
On one of the capital's streets of the republic there is a twelve-meter obelisk, on the pedestal of which stands a globe with a spire. It symbolizes the center of Asia, as evidenced by the text, embossed in three languages - Tuvan, Russian and English. The "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, in one of the quiet, cozy streets of Kyzyl, there is the Tuvan Republican Museum of Local Lore named after Aldyn-Maadyr. Translated from the Tuvan language, this phrase sounds "named after sixty heroes." The museum was named so in memory of sixty shepherds-arats, who rebelled against foreign invaders and the local Tuvan feudal lords. However, the rebellion was suppressed, and its participants 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. Museum exhibits tell us about the heyday and decline of Ancient Tuva. The museum’s collection 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 mounds of Tuva. Many of the treasures found are sent to the St. Petersburg Hermitage, with the goal of a more detailed study. Panoramic photographs hanging on the walls of the Tuvan museum tell tourists about the process of excavation and valuable finds.
Also, tourists and guests should visit the metropolitan 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 at the Musical Drama Theater. Viktor Kok-Oola hosts performances in Russian and Tuvan languages.
