Chita is the capital of the Trans-Baikal Territory. At the time of its formation, it was called nothing less than "a city without a population": the number of townspeople was so small. A notable event in its history was the decision of the authorities to exile the Decembrists here. They primarily influenced the cultural sphere. In addition, the military and representatives of law enforcement agencies were needed to protect the opposition. This contributed to growth, and in the future, the construction of the Transsib helped to connect remote Chita with the center of the country.
The geographical location has protected the city from many of the shocks taking place in the country. Therefore, architectural monuments were able to be preserved in an almost unchanged form. For example, the main post office is located in a historic building, just like 125 years ago. And the former church of the 18th century built sheltered the museum of the Decembrists.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles / day
What to see and where to go in Chita?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Lenin Square
It has existed since the middle of the 19th century. It was named Sofiyskaya, and then Novosobornaya. It began to be ennobled after the construction of a temple on it. The district has been gradually brought to its present form since 1938. Then the alleys were planted, the territory was asphalted, and a monument to Lenin was erected. Monuments of architecture are located on all sides. For example, the post office building or Polutov's apartment building, which became the mayor's office.
Museum "Church of the Decembrists"
A collection of almost a thousand exhibits is kept in the Old Chita Mikhailo-Archangel Church. This monument of Russian wooden architecture of the 18th century is remarkable in itself. The collection tells about the life of the Decembrists in hard labor. Some exiles got married in this church and came to pray. Members of their families are buried nearby. Now the church is not active, and the museum inside opened in 1985.
Titovskaya Sopka
Belongs to the mountain system of the Chersky ridge. This hill was once a volcano. Its height is almost 445 meters. In different periods, the territory was studied and many archaeological and paleontological values were found. Among them were the remains of mammoth tusks, petroglyphs and burials from the Bronze Age. In 2002, the chapel of St. Alexander Nevsky was built on the site of the previously installed cross.
Chita datsan
Before the revolution, there was a Buddhist temple in the city, but it was destroyed. The new one was laid only in 2002, and the consecration ceremony took place in 2010. The monastery hosts regular services as well as special events on the occasion of major holidays. The Chita datsan is one of the most modern in terms of equipment. In addition, some of the materials used in its construction are recycled products of plastic bottles.
Kazan Cathedral
Built on the site of the old stadium at the station square in 2001. A particle of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh was laid at the base. The architectural style is Vladimir-Suzdal, and the combination of colors in the external design is not quite typical for temples. Included in the list of the largest cathedrals in the Far East and Siberia. The main bell of 13 weighs about 10 tons. One of the relics is a shrine with the relics of St. Varlaam of Chikoysky.
Trans-Baikal Regional Museum of Local Lore
Since its foundation in 1895, the museum has collected more than 190 thousand items in the funds. Moving from exposition to exposition, tourists study the culture and history of the Trans-Baikal Territory. The visitor has access to installations that repeat the lifestyle of indigenous peoples, materials related to the Decembrists, archaeological finds and samples of local art. The building of the museum is an architectural monument.
Transbaikal Regional Drama Theater
It was formed in 1937, but the troupe was disbanded several times. Initially, it was a musical, the profile had to be changed due to the peculiarities of the organization of the theater. In 1970 the team was given a new building. The repertoire is dominated by classical works. The theater has extensive side activities. The stage and costumes are rented out, tours from other cities are accepted, creative evenings are held.
Museum and Exhibition Center of the Trans-Baikal Territory
The history of the center began with the 1980 exhibition. The best examples were left in a newly built building and made the base for the future museum. The second round of development was in 2009, when the center was fully operational. The exposition includes several collections, including “Jewelry Art of the Urals”, “Art of Transbaikal Artists”, “Russian Folk Toy”, “Bone Carving Art of Northern Peoples”.
Puppet theater "Far Away Kingdom"
Created in 1935. It received its current name only in 2008. At the same time, the building was closed for reconstruction. It lasted until 2015, and the artists performed in their former rehearsal hall. Different types of puppets are used in the performances: puppets, tablet puppets, reed puppets, glove puppets. In total, there are about 40 performances in the repertoire, focused on different age categories.
Shumov Palace
The project was originally much larger. By 1914, the construction of the first part of it was completed, but the second was never completed. However, even in its current form, the eclectic and baroque palace turned out to stand out from the surrounding buildings. The interiors are decorated with stucco molding and all sorts of small decor details. Part of the decoration was preserved, despite the fact that the building changed its owners and purpose.
Main post office building
Built in 1893 according to the project of M. Arnold. A savings bank was added to the postal and telegraph office in a few years. A year later, the consumer society started working. It contributed to the emergence of the library. Lines for telephone conversations were stretched from here. One of the first to connect Chita with Khabarovsk. Until now, the architectural monument is used for its original purpose.
Monument "Love and Fidelity"
It was opened in 2011 together with the square of the same name. A. Grigoryan was the author of the project. The monument is symbolic for the city. Here, including in the area where the sculptural group appeared, the wives of the Decembrists lived. They followed their husbands into exile, therefore they became a symbol of love and fidelity. The monument depicts a young couple. There is no doubt about the sincerity of the feelings of these two.
Transbaikal Botanical Garden
Has been working on a full-time basis since 1990. Its activities are related to two main tasks: educating the population and increasing the species diversity of plants in the region. On the basis of the botanical garden, research is being carried out to make species atypical for the region more adapted to the new environment. Also, thematic excursions are made, interesting for different generations.
Victory Park
The memorial of military and labor glory was opened in the Victory Park in 1975. This is how the city celebrated the 30th anniversary of the end of the war. The central part of the composition - five steles - according to the number of years of the Great Patriotic War. In the foreground there is a sculptural group "Victory Moment" and an eternal flame is burning. The names of the heroes who gave their lives in the name of the country are engraved on the slabs nearby. The list is updated thanks to the archives.
ODORA park
An unremarkable wasteland was brought into its proper form at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Then an agricultural exhibition of the achievements of Transbaikalia was held in the city. The garden was named after Zhukovsky. Over time, the territory was filled with attractions, a fountain and several statues appeared. On one of the benches there is a sculpture of a scientist cat. In the warm season, an orchestra plays, those who wish can dance on a retro dance floor.
