The most beautiful natural sites to discover Russie - Sibérie

Once a haven of nature and peace off the coast of Vladivostok (Empress Eugenie Archipelago, Gulf of Peter the Great), Russkiy Island served until the end of the 20th century as a large military station protecting the Russian border from Japanese invasions. In Soviet times, as a closed territory, it was home to several naval training/training units. Then, in 1992, four soldiers on duty, forgotten by their officers, died of hunger there (one of the biggest military scandals after the USSR). The military installations were destroyed.
Charming and forested, Russkiy Island is one of Vladivostok's favourite summer resorts. It is also home to the former gigantic business complex, built to host the 2012 APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Forum) summit at high speed. A building whose faults have been denounced time and time again... After the forum, the decision was taken to convert it into a "Federal University of the Far East" and to develop the island's tourism potential. Since then, it has been inviting travellers to laze on its beaches and explore its forests. In 2016, Russia's largest aquarium, the Oceanarium, was inaugurated there. Also since 2012, the island is connected to the continent by the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. It will always be interesting to borrow the structure, at least to photograph it. Its tricolour stays are in the colours of the Russian flag.

Extending over 50 ha, the park offers, in the centre of the city, an area of calm and freshness but also of attractions, games, sleigh rides and sports activities. There are cafés, a video games room, the Cosmos sports stadium, the ski jumping and the oldest railway in the country, which still operates in the park's territory for the greatest joy of children.

Forming the most southerly part of the Magadan region, the Koni peninsula belongs to the Magadansky Reserve where live, protected by law, bears, foxes, rare species of marmots and many other animals. During the spawning season (end June-August), Pacific salmon go back to Koni rivers. In coastal areas, seals are numerous, and the baleinoptères sometimes approaching the coast can be observed. Koni also retains interesting remains of human habitation of the stone age.

Kamchatka has over 150 thermal springs, the most abundant of which are in the Paratounka region. Ideal for a rest or treatment stay, the stations are located on the axis of the main Elisovo-Paratounka road, not far from Petropavlovsk, in the river valley of the same name.

It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural and protected sites in the world. And it deserves it: accessing it can indeed be difficult, especially in wet weather (all-terrain vehicle). The cape "Giant" overlooks the Sea of Okhotsk, to the south-east of the island. You will be amazed by these arches and mineral columns sculpted by the wind and sea waves. The lucky ones will witness the spawning of wild salmon, which attracts many brown bears. A must-see.

The Usurysky Nature Reserve occupies mountainous terrain south of the Sikhoté-Alin Mountains, in the upper part of the Komarovka and Artiomovka river basins. Flora: hard juniper, ginseng, red pine and Japanese yew. The reserve has become a place for growing ginseng, the root of which is useful in pharmacy and cosmetics. Fauna: the Amur tiger, the East Siberian leopard, the tangerine and the black stork.

After crossing the Katun bridge, you can walk three kilometres on the left side of the bridge to the crossroads where the signs indicate Beriozka (birch) and Ozero Aya (Lake Aya): 1 kilometre away, there is a beautiful lake surrounded by forest.

The blue pearl of the Altai is located in one of the three overhanging mountain hollows on the left bank of the Katoune, 280 meters above sea level and 75 meters above river level. Famous for its warm waters (25°C from mid-June), Lake Aya is a very popular holiday destination. There are several peat bogs (Russian-style leisure centres), equipped beaches, pedal boat and rowing boat rental points all around. In the centre of the lake, a small island with a romantic pavilion serves as a place to relax in the sun.

The lake also attracts many fishing enthusiasts: here you can catch perch, carassins, pike and even sterlets and monkfish. Lake Aya freezes over from November. When the ice is caught, in December-January, it is therefore possible to skate on the snow-cleared (and secured) areas. In order to protect the environment of the lake, the Aya Natural Park was delimited and classified in October 2003 by decision of the Altai Territorial Administration.

In the high summer and winter seasons (July-August; January-March) expect hordes of holidaymakers coming to enjoy the fresh air. This is one of the great holiday resorts of the Altai.

This rocky island is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the district of Chemal. And rightly so, since the place is breathtakingly beautiful. Located in the middle of the Katoune River, the island is connected to the shore by a suspended pedestrian bridge. An Orthodox wooden convent was built there, associated with the women's monastery of Notre-Dame-du-Signe de Barnaoul. It owes its name to the eponymous Greek island, known as the place of exile of the evangelist John, who wrote the Apocalypse there.

The Altai Nature Reserve was established on 16 April 1932 to protect the exceptional nature of the golden Altai Mountains. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List since 1998, it covers an area of more than 881,000 hectares in the northeastern part of the Altai Republic (administrative territories of Turochak and Ulaanbaatar), of which 11,410 hectares lie on the right bank of Lake Teletskoye. The mountains are dotted with springs from which pure and refreshing water gushes forth. There are numerous streams, rivers and waterfalls (the highest - 60 m - is on the Tchoultcha River), high-altitude lakes (including the 10 km long Djulukul) and natural areas where a multitude of rare species thrive. It is also a popular place for botanists: the rich and diverse flora of the reserve includes more than 1,500 species of vascular plants, 111 species of fungi, 272 species of lichens. The most common trees are cedar, fir, larch, spruce, pine and birch. The virgin cedar forests are the pride of the reserve: 400-450 years old, they sometimes reach 180 cm in diameter.
Entrance to the reserve is free; only certain areas are accessible to the public, mostly around Teletskoe Lake. However, you must obtain a permit (at the reception desk). Several audioguide applications are available on the website.

The largest lake in the Golden Mountains of the Altai, the second largest freshwater reserve in Russia after the Great Baikal, Teletskoy is located at 434 m above sea level, between the Korbou and Al-tyntou ridges where the Saïan and Saïliouguem mountains meet. With its 78 km long and 5 km wide, and an exceptional depth of 325 m (it is in the top 25 of the deepest lakes on the planet), its fresh and clear water allows you to see up to 14 m deep. In the Altaic language, Teletskoe means "golden lake". Its eastern bank is part of the Altai nature reserve inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. More than 70 rivers and numerous streams flow into this lake, the largest being the Chulychman. Only one river emerges from it: the Biya, in the north, becoming, after its confluence with the Katun, one of Russia's most important rivers, the Ob. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Altai. Every year, thousands of tourists come to discover this magnificent natural setting, an ideal playground for lovers of outdoor sports: rafting, diving or hiking in the mountains. Lazier travellers can rest assured that the surrounding and surprisingly varied mountain scenery is self-sufficient. You can laze around on its pebble beaches and take an occasional dip. If it is crowded, especially in the summer, Teletskoe Lake loses none of its magic. A place where it's nice to relax.

Lakes Izmentchivoye and Tunya, two saltwater lakes of 12.9 km2 and 174 km2, are located in the Korsakov district, southeast of Sakhalin Island. They are ideal for bathing, fishing, bird watching at bird colonies resting on their shores, hiking and kayaking. Lake Izmentchivoye is also rich in marine sulphide mud, which has therapeutic virtues (skin and gynaecological diseases).

The Bouriates take its precious mineral water, rich in trace elements, as well as the mud, which is also medicinal (joints, skin). Visitors swim here all summer long because the lake is shallow and the water is quite warm. Breathtaking natural beauty, between characteristic marshland landscapes and the Baikalian shoreline. You admire the still snow-covered peaks of the Bargouzine mountains. Very popular in summer, the lake will be all yours at the end of August.

On the right, the ruins of a luxury hotel built and destroyed in the aftermath of a fire in 1989 (allegedly started by a disgruntled fisherman who laid his hut on the foundations). Next, the starting point of the trail leading to the top of the Markov. You come to one of the most beautiful beaches of the lake. Pebbled, wild and battered by the surf. The roar of the waves and the driftwood will remind you of the ocean. Between shore and forest, you are alone in the world!