Attractions of the Republic of Kalmykia and Elista and what to see

Attractions in the Republic of Kalmykia are not very much, and most of them are located in the capital of the Republic – the city of Elista. The most interesting and exotic sights are Buddhist temples (huruli), including one of the largest Buddhist temples in Europe and the largest statue of Buddha. Also interesting will be several pagodas, you can visit the Museum of local lore and the city of chess with a chess Museum.

By the way, Buddhist temples and stupas in the Tibetan style can be found not only in the capital, but throughout the Republic, even in the smallest villages and right in the steppes. Unfortunately, there are almost no old temples left, since during the Soviet period Buddhism was very actively eradicated by the Soviet authorities, and almost all the ancient temples and stupas were destroyed.

In general, we advise you to visit the sights of Elista and Kalmykia with excursions if possible. It is much more interesting and informative there. Unfortunately, the sale of inexpensive excursions by distributors on the streets, as in popular seaside resorts, is not to be found here, so you will have to look for them in local travel agencies. But it is much easier to use the search for excursions with reviews online on these reliable sites:

• 📷 search for excursions in Elista and Kalmykia on Sputnik8.com
• 📷 search for excursions in Elista and Kalmykia on Tripster.ru

Sights of Kalmykia on the map

And now more about the main attractions of the Republic and the city of Elista, which are worth visiting, indicating the cost of visiting, opening hours, ways to get there yourself and the position on the map:

Attractions in Elista

The most frequently visited tourist places in the region are located in the capital-the city of Elista. They are located quite compactly, and in one day, even on foot, you can have time to see everything.

• Temple Of The Golden abode of Buddha Shakyamuni

  The Golden abode of Shakyamuni Buddha

  This is the main attraction of Elista and Kalmykia as a whole, the most important Buddhist temple of the Republic. It is also considered the largest in all of Europe, and inside is the largest in Europe nine-meter Buddha statue, covered with gold leaf. Traditionally in Kalmykia Buddhist temples are called "hurul", so do not be surprised to read or hear this word.

  The construction of the temple was started with the blessing of the World Buddhist leader-the Dalai Lama XIV, who visited the city in November 2004. The temple was opened at the end of 2005. It is very beautiful, made in the traditional style of Buddhist temples. On the territory of the temple in a circle there are 17 pagodas and prayer drums, the circumambulation and rotation of which should be done Clockwise. Putting coins next to the prayer reels you can make a wish.

  On the territory of the temple you can freely move and take pictures, but inside the temple photos are prohibited. When entering inside, you should take off your shoes, leave your shoes outside. You can not go to the temple in short skirts, shorts, T-shirts. Read more about the Golden abode of Buddha Shakyamuni here...

  🕐 Working hours: from 08:00 to 20:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: The Golden abode of Shakyamuni Buddha is located in the center of Elista, 63 Y. Klykova Street (temple on the map).

• Park and Lenin Square (central square of Elista)

  Buddha statue in Elista Park

  The park and Lenin Square are located in the center of the city and this is the main place for walking around the city and a place of concentration of local attractions. It is here that the main tourist symbols of the city and the Republic are located: the seven days Pagoda, the Golden Gate, the South Gate. Also here you can see a statue of Buddha with prayer drums, a fountain of three lotuses, a statue of the "White Elder", an alley of glory and an eternal flame. In general, if you are in Elista for the first time or even just passing through, we advise you to go here first. You can see everything in the park in 1-2 hours of a leisurely walk.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the park and Square are in the city center along Lenin Street (Park on the map).

• Seven days Pagoda

  Seven days Pagoda

  This is another iconic Buddhist landmark in the heart of Elista. Just do not confuse: this is not a temple, but a pagoda, the purpose of which is to catch evil spirits and protect them from them. Inside the pagoda is a large rotating drum that is believed to purify and grant wishes. To do the ritual, you need to put donations, and scroll the drum three times clockwise.

  Next to the pagoda is a park with traditional urban entertainment, a statue of Buddha, as well as a beautiful golden and South Gate, made in a typical Asian style. In the evening, the pagoda is very beautifully illuminated.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: The seven days Pagoda is located in the city's main Lenin Square in the heart of Elista (pagoda on the map).

• Golden Gate

  The Golden Gate by Jan Bosch

  Golden Gate Altn Bosch — one of the most recognizable symbols of the city and the Republic of Kalmykia, the image of which can be found on souvenirs, postcards, tourist brochures. Therefore, tourists should see firsthand this beautiful structure, made in the traditional Asian style. The gate was built in 1998, its facade is decorated with 28 paintings telling about the past and present of the people of Kalmykia.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: The Golden Gate is located in the center of Elista in Friendship Park (Golden Gate on the map).

• South Gate

  South Gate

  Another beautiful gate along with Gold adorns the entrance to the main city square. But unlike the Golden Gate, made in a more traditional Tibetan style, in this you can see Chinese and Japanese architecture. When you walk around the main square and see the seven days Pagoda, do not forget to see this attraction.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: The Golden Gate is located in the center of Elista on Lenin Square (South Gate on the map).

• Bortha Spring

  Bortha spring, Yandex.Maps photo source

  The bortha spring is, one might say, the source of the city, since it is believed that it was from its discovery in the steppes that the city appeared and began to develop. It happened in the middle of the XIX century. Around the spring, which feeds the surrounding lands with life-giving moisture, an Oak Grove was planted by decree of the Russian Emperor and the city began to grow. Today, the spring is equipped with a sculpture in the form of a traditional Kalmyk flask "Bortha", a gazebo in Asian style has been erected nearby, and an Oak Grove has become part of the main city park Druzhba. Unfortunately, today this object is in disrepair: around garbage and everything is overgrown. You can not drink from the spring, because the water does not meet the standards.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Located downtown in Friendship Park (spring on the map).

• National Museum of Kalmykia

  National Museum of Kalmykia

  National Republican Museum of local lore. Professor N. N. Palmova or National Museum is the main museum of the region. The exhibition, though not very large, but informative, and in general gives an idea of the history, life, traditions, nature and achievements of the Republic of Kalmykia. The exposition includes stuffed animals, musical instruments, tools, jewelry, clothing and costumes, many paintings, etc. The exposition of the second floor is dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. In general, the museum is worth a visit, especially since there are no other museums here. A tour of the museum halls is offered.

  🌐 Website: national-museum.kalm.muzkult.ru

  🕐 Working hours:

  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 09:00 to 18:00;
  • Thursday from 09:00 to 21:00;
  • Saturday, Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00;
  • Monday is a day off.

  From 13:00 to 14:00 - break.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: adult-100 rubles, students-60, children for free, excursion-200 rubles.

  🚶 How to get there: the museum is located in Elista, 9 Djangara Street (Museum on the map), from the Center 20 minutes on foot.

• Old Hurul Shakyusn-Shume

  Old Hurul Shakyusn-Shume

  This temple is also known as old khurul, although it is often confused with the temple in the city itself. In fact, the temple of Shakyusn-Syume is located on the outskirts of the city beyond its borders, on the way to the village of Arshan. The site for the construction was consecrated by the Dalai Lama XIV during his second visit to Kalmykia, and the temple itself was built in 1996.

  Built in traditional Tibetan style, it is not as colorful as the main Golden abode of Shakyamuni Buddha in the center of Elista. Around the steppe, wind, and nearby only a few houses in which monks live, and ethno-cafes in the form of traditional yurts near the main road. Read more about old Hurul Shakusn-sume here...

  🕐 Working hours: the temple is not a tourist attraction, so it is often closed. If you absolutely want to get inside (and it's worth it), ask the monks to open the doors for you, they do it with pleasure.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: the temple is located on the outskirts of the city on the road to the village of Arshan or in the direction of Budyonnovsk and Mineralnye Vody (temple on the map. You can get here by taxi or your own transport.

• Stupa Of Enlightenment

  Stupa Of Enlightenment

  The stupa of Enlightenment is called "Monlam Tamched Drupa", which translates as "fulfilling all desires (prayers)". Built in 1999. Most Buddhist stupas are monolithic, meaning you can't get inside them, but the stupa of Enlightenment is hollow, and inside it is equipped with a small hall – an altar room or a meditation room. The walls of the hall are painted with Buddhist motifs, and in the center is a rotating prayer drum. When entering the stupa, you should definitely take off your shoes, and, by the way, there is a heated warm floor inside it.

  This is not to say that the stupa is mandatory to visit, but if you are a Buddhist believer, you will definitely get there. It is also convenient to visit the Stupa on the way to the city of chess. There is a Buddhist center and a temple nearby. Read more about the stupa of enlightenment here...

  🕐 Working hours: during daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the stupa is located on the outskirts of the city on Ostap Bender Avenue (Stupa on the map). You can get there by minibus number 7.

• Chess City

  Sculpture in the city of chess

  Chess city or chess City is a small neighborhood on the outskirts of Elista, built in 1998 to host the 33rd World Chess Olympiad. The main ideological inspirer of the appearance of the city of chess was the head of the Republic Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, but, unfortunately, today there is little left of the original idea without proper support, the place is gradually turning into an ordinary cottage area with residential buildings and administrative buildings. It is interesting that the buildings (cottages) are stylized as chess, at least by name. Also on the territory there are "chess" sculptures, sometimes very strange in appearance, and in the very center there is a chess Museum. If you are seriously interested in the game, then you can visit this mini-city of chess, otherwise there is not much to see here. By the way, another name of the district is new Vasyuki, and on this occasion a monument to Ostap Bender was erected on the way to the microdistrict.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Chess city is located on the outskirts of Elista, Ostap Bender Street (Chess City on the map. You can get here by minibus number 7.

• Chess Museum

  As of 2021, the museum is closed for renovation.

  The chess museum is located in City chess, and, of course, is dedicated to chess. Everything related to this game is presented inside: in the first hall there are exhibits of chess tournaments, most of which were presented to Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Elista; in the second hall there are Awards, souvenirs and personal belongings of Mikhail Tal, the eighth World Chess Champion. The museum will be interesting primarily for chess lovers, but you will have to get to it on the outskirts of the city.

  🕐 Working hours: Monday-Friday from 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 16:00, Sunday-closed, sometimes closed even during working hours.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 25 rubles.

  🚶 How to get there: the chess museum is located in the city of chess neighborhood (Chess Museum on the map), the entrance to which can be reached by minibus number 7. Further to the museum itself will have to walk a little.

• Memorial complex "Exodus and return"

  Memorial complex "Exodus and return"

  This memorial and museum, housed in an old carriage, is dedicated to and tells the story of the victims of Stalin's repressions. The railway cattle car, which now houses the museum's exhibition, was used during the repression to transport people in terrible conditions. There is not much to see here, but you can visit this place accompanied by a guide.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: inspection of the memorial complex is free, entrance to the museum-car – 25 rubles.

  🚶 How to get there: located on the outskirts of the city, Khrushchev Street (memorial on the map)

Attractions in the Republic of Kalmykia

Outside the capital, there are not many interesting places in the region that will be of interest to an ordinary tourist. You can see the yashalta Salt Lake OR visit the Black lands reserve with an excursion, and in some villages of the Republic you can see Buddhist temples. What is inconvenient, there is practically no public transport to visit places outside the city, so you will have to use either an excursion, which in practice is not easy to find, or go by your own transport:

• Stupa Of Peace

  Stupa Of Peace

  Built in 2017 for the unity of all races and faiths, and in search of peace and tranquility. It was built by the forces and donations of the local population mainly from the villages of Naryn and Arshan. For tourists at first glance, it may not seem like a particularly attractive attraction, and most linger here passing through, making a short stop for a couple of minutes for a photo. Learn more about the Stupa of peace here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: The peace stupa is located on the outskirts of the village of Naryn near the Elista-Budennovsk Highway about 10 kilometers from the center of Elista (Stupa on the map. You will not be able to get here by public transport, you will have to take a taxi or a private car.

• Great yashalta Salt Lake

  Great yashalta Salt Lake

  The great yashalta Salt Lake is also called simply "Salt Lake". It is located about 200 kilometers from Elista in the Yashalta district. The size of the lake is 8 by 5 kilometers, the depth is small, less than a meter. The lake is very salty, especially in summer, and its mud and brine (salt water) are curative. According to official data, the mud of the lake is recognized as curative, silt, weakly sulfite, highly mineralized. Indications for external use are diseases of the nervous and musculoskeletal system, diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the digestive system, diseases of the genitourinary system and the circulatory system. Unfortunately, there is no infrastructure, including medical, around the lake, so the use of its mud is possible only on its own, which should be done carefully.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the lake is 200 kilometers from Elista and 90 kilometers from Salsk (Lake on the map. Given that there is no infrastructure, it is best to get here by private car with a tent or motorhome.

• Reserve "Black Lands"

  "Black Lands", Photo zapovednik-chernyezemli.ru

  It is a reserve of Steppe, semi-desert and desert landscapes, Kalmyk saiga population, as well as many bird species. The Black lands are a steppe desert formed as a result of human activity, and therefore it is now closely studied and protected. You can visit it only as part of a special tour and only with the permission of the Reserve administration, which should be obtained in advance. For this purpose, there are five automobile or hiking routes with a length of up to several hours, there are no multi-day routes with overnight stays. Detailed information can be obtained on the official website of the Reserve.

  🌐 Website: zapovednik-chernyezemli.ru

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  🚶 How to get there: the administration of the Reserve is located in the village of Komsomolsky on Nekrasov Street, 31 (Black lands Reserve on the map). Phone: 8(937)-190-70-40, e-mail: zapovchz@mail.ru. You will have to get to the Reserve on your own or excursion transport.

• Buddha statue in Lagan and hurul complex "Lagan Dardeling monastery"

  Buddha statue in Lagani

  In the city of Lagan there is a unique hurul complex "Lagan Dardeling monastery", where the highest statue of the sitting Buddha in Russia and Europe is 12.5 meters high and weighing 30 tons (as of 2021). It is covered not with gold leaf, like the Buddha in the main hurul of the Golden abode of Buddha Shakyamuni in Elista, but with gold paint. In addition to viewing the statue, you can walk around the complex, go around the stupas Clockwise, visit the temple. It is convenient to visit the complex on the road from Astrakhan to Dagestan, but you should not go 300 kilometers from Elista on purpose.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Khurul and the large Buddha statue in Lagani is located 300 kilometers from Elista in the southeastern part of the Republic (statue and hurul complex on the map. Given the geography of the Republic, it is best to stop here on the way from Astrakhan to Dagestan or if you decide to deviate on the way from Elista to Astrakhan.