Western Siberia Западная Сибирь

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Description

Western Siberia Западная Сибирь

Sujets

• Arts

Informations

• Publié par: ifydesut
• Nombre de lectures: 65
• Langue: Français

Extrait

© Lonely Planet Publications 535

WesternSiberia Западная Сибирь Stretching from the Urals to the mining towns of Novokuznetsk and Kemerovo via the moun- tains and rivers of Altai, Western Siberia encapsulates Russia’s great cultural, natural and ethnic diversity. Crossing the Urals has always been as much a mental step as a physical one, and on the journey one sees the influence and reach of Moscow noticeably begin to wane. Omsk and Novosibirsk are large, ostensibly grim Soviet-designed cities, but scratch beneath the surface and a number of monuments, museums and parks make the concrete chaos well worth a visit. Of much more appeal, however, are Tobolsk and Tomsk. The former, one-time capital of the whole of Siberia, is home to one of Russia’s most famous kremlins, as well as a lively artistic community. Tomsk is without doubt one of the region’s, if not Russia’s, most attractive cities, a student town whose pleasant and picturesque wooden buildings house a growing number of quality cafés and restaurants. Both Novokuznetsk and Kemerovo saw massive construction during Soviet times; the cities boast wide Stalin-era streets and monuments to socialist worker heroes. Some three hours’ drive outside Novokuznetsk is the ski resort of Sheregesh, its surrounding hills and mountains breathtaking in both winter and summer. The stunning underbelly of the region, the beautiful Altai Mountains, are home to lush forests and eternally snow-capped peaks, as well as centuries-old standing stone idols and long winding passes through magnificently desolate landscapes. For all its attractions, Western Siberia is not the easiest place in which to travel. Visitors need to speak at least rudimentary Russian and be willing to rough it at times. Although prices are on the rise, the area is still a lot cheaper than European Russia.

HIGHLIGHTS „  Explorethe dishevelled old town ofTobolsk (p542), Siberia’s former capital „  Discoverthe historic centre ofOmsk(p546) and try to count the city’s many Lenin statues „  Takea stroll through the student town of Tomsk(p556) and its picturesque wooden homes „  Gohiking or rafting in the unforgettable wilderness of theAltai Mountains(p562) „  Payyour respects at the monuments to Soviet worker heroes in the mining towns of Novokuznetsk(p578) andKemerovo(p581) „  Checkout the ski resort atSheregesh, popular with Russia’s skiers and snowboarders (p580)

Tobolsk

Omsk Tomsk Kemerovo Novokuznetsk Sheregesh Altai Mountains