Krasnoyarsk guide
Travel to the biggest city in Siberia
Krasnoyarsk is the city located in the middle of Russia, on both banks of the Yenisei river. Founded in 1628 by the Cossacks (the ethnic group started from serving men, settled near border areas for protection), now it is one of the biggest cities in Siberia with more than a million population.
Getting prepared for the journey
Weather
The weather in Krasnoyarsk is continental with relatively cold winters and hot summers. The average winter temperature in Krasnoyarsk is −16 ° C (the absolute minimum, −53 ° C, was in 1931). In summer it is +19 ° C in average (and up to +37 ° C, like it was in 2002). The coldest month is January, and warmest is July.
What to wear
Due to the continentality, significant changes in daily air temperatures are common in Krasnoyarsk. The temperature may vary as much 15-20 ° C throughout the day and night and these drops are frequent even in summer.

If you are planning to stroll around the city until the night, keep a jacket with you. If you visit Krasnoyarsk in winter, a down jacket which can take up -25 ° C and thermal underwear are the must-haves!
Where to stay
Krasnoyarsk is a big city, there are a lot of hotels of different categories. Here you can find some world-famous 4 or 5 star hotels, for example, "Hilton Garden Inn", "Marriott" or "Novotel" that can delight guests in a high level of service. "Kupechesky business hotel" is also classy and would suit business trip guests. Looking for simpler accommodation? Then consider hotels of 2 or 3 star categories, such as "Sky Hotel" or hotel "Maria".
Time difference
Krasnoyarsk time differs from UTC by +7 hours (UTC + 7) and from Moscow time by +4 hours. This is the official time in eight Siberian regions of Russia: the republics of Altai, Khakassia, and Tuva, Krasnoyarsky krai and Altai Territories, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk and Tomsk Regions.
Things to do in Krasnoyarsk
Gora Karaul'naya
At the top of the Karaul mountain, you can find the Chapel of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa. This chapel is one of the symbols of Krasnoyarsk and the whole Russia, it even appeares on Russian 10 ruble banknote!

Aside from the beautiful site of a chapel, you can also see the picturesque view of the city of Krasnoyarsk from the hill.

The best time to visit this place is at 11:50 A.M. as, exactly at 12:00, the cannon shoots. It is an urban tradition to shoot every day exactly at noon in memory of the Cossacks-founders of Krasnoyarsk.
Stolby National park
Stolby ("pillars") is a natural reserve in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. This is the only reserve in Russia, which was created on the initiative of the residents themselves to preserve the picturesque corners of forests and natural stones. The main attraction of this area is the Syenitic cliffs with a unique structure of moves and manholes reminding the shape of gigantic people, palaces, animals and mythological creatures.

From the northeast, the Stolby is adjacent to the city of Krasnoyarsk. City buses number 19, 50, 78 run to the border of the resort (the "Turbaza" bus stop). Sounds convinient, but bear in mind that after arrival you will need to walk a few more hours to see the actual "stolby", sometimes climbing up a very steep hill.
Museum Center at the "Peace Square"

"Peace Square" Museum Center (also known as "Museum on Strelka", "KIC") is one of the most famous museums in Krasnoyarsk, the largest exhibition hall for contemporary art in Siberia. It used to be a museum of Lenin in Soviet Times. Being a very scary building outside (there was no repair for a long time) it is very unusual inside. The museum is full of critical art pieces, telling the truth about the Lenin's cult, the horrible suffering of families who lost their sons in Afghanistan and... examples of Russian contemporary design.

Also from KIC you can walk down the main street of the city, the street of peace. Or you can rent a bike and go to the Tatyshev island — a huge recreation area in the city centre.

Rodelban in the "Beaver Log" Fan Park
The Bobrovy Log Fanpark, the all-season sports and recreation park is located near the Stolyby State Reserve, just 20 minutes from the city center of Krasnoyarsk.

The complex operates 12 months a year.

  • In winter, Fanpark works in the format of a ski resort, the ski season lasts 6 months. Snow park is good for freestyle skiiing. Few slopes, but there is a long black trail.
  • In summer and in the off-season, the Bobrovy Log Fanpark is a territory of active leisure — try a cable way, a beach and an open air pool with warm water, unique extreme attractions for Russia, etc.

Reach the top of the mountain with the use of a ski lift, and you will see a nice view of Krasnoyarsk far below and also "stolby" from the reserve park nearby.

We also recommend trying rodelban! Imaging sledges for two rolling down from the mountain on iron rails! Recommended for fans of extreme sports. You can ride alone or together with friends for a cost of 560 rubles per person. Dress up warmly, not to get cold in winter!
Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric dam
Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric station (of the 50th anniversary of the USSR) is a hydroelectric power station on the Yenisei River, near the town of Divnogorsk, on the Krasnoyarsk Territory. It is the second power plant (after the Sayano-Shushenskaya power plant) in Russia.

This particular dam is featured on the back of the old ten rouble banknote. The dam is also special because of a really interesting mechanism helping large ships to traverse over the dam.
Russian shiplift
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