Yakutsk

Abakayade Memorial

Памятник Абакаяде

At the intersection of Kirova and Poyarkova streets (Кирова, Пояркова). The statue represents the first interethnic marriage between a Russian settler and his Yakut wife, and also their child—the symbol of the coming together of the two peoples.

Buruo Lounge

Гараж

Here they serve burgers and snacks along with hookah and drinks.

Sun-Fri 14:00- 02:00, Fri-Sat 14:00-04:00

Circus

The state circus holds the title of the northernmost (and coldest) circus in the world. The Yakut circus is a mixture of traditional Russian circus performances (which, if you haven't seen before, are really fun) with the national Yakut culture of the extreme north. The core of basic Yakut circus performances is in the acrobatic tradition of China (also a lot of fun), and the Yakuts produce serious acrobats who have won in a lot of international competitions. The circus here also attracts major guest performers from all over Russia.

Fujiyama

Фудзияма

This was the first sushi restaurant to open in Yakutsk and is still the best. The offer a pretty good range of other Japanese menu items, but for anyone who knows Japanese cuisine, they may be disappointed. Most have been adapted to Yakutian taste and locally available ingredients. The business lunch during the week is a good value. Service can be slow, and the non-smoking area tends to be full at lunch time, so arrive before 13:00.

Daily 11:00 - 23:00·RUB 500-1500

Gurme

This is perhaps the best place to have traditional Yakutian delicacies. They also serve European dishes. The interior is very nicely done, and the service is excellent. They do offer a very reasonably priced business lunch during the week.

Mon-Sat 8:30 - 20:00; Sun 9:00-19:00·RUB 700

Korea House

Хан Гук Гван

The interior is very nicely done. The Korean menu is not extensive, but what they have is generally quite good. The service is excellent. They offer a business lunch which is reasonably priced, but the portions are small.

Daily 12:00-00:00·RUB 1000

Malina Shisha Lounge

Waterpipe flavors and an assortment of drinks but no food, darn.

Mammoth Museum

Музей мамонта

This museum has one of the world's most diverse collections of exhibits from the Ice Age. The centerpiece of the collection is the cryogenically (and completely) preserved head of a woolly mammoth. The mammoth head often travels to museums outside of Yakutsk, so check ahead to make sure it's on display.

Daily 10:00-18:00

Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Yakutsk University

Музей археологии и этнографии ЯГУ

The exhibits here show the history of the peoples of Yakutsk, exhibited in an interesting exposition of objects of everyday life and the mythology of the Sakha, Eveny, Evenki, Yukagiry, and other Yakutian ethnic groups since ancient times.

Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat 11:00-16:00

Muus Khaya

This is a nice, friendly place to hang out, with a lot more to do than just music and dancing. Most importantly, they have a bowling alley! (Really, a rock 'n bowl in Yakutia?) They also have billiards and a full service restaurant serving "the cuisine of the north."

Sun-Thu 11:00-02:00, Fri Sat 11:00-03:00·Event covers: ~RUB 300; bowling: 350-950 (depending on day and time of day)

National Art Museum

Национальный художественный музей РС(Я)

A huge collection of artwork, including works by Yakuts, Russians, international artists from the 16th century through today. The expositions also include a rich collection of traditional Yakut folk arts and crafts.

Daily 10:00-18:00

Oyunskovo Sakha Academic Theater

Саха академический театр им. П. А. Ойунского

Dramatic theater in the Yakut language. There is a simultaneous translation in Russian.

Oyunsky Memorial

Памятник П. Ойунскому

On Oyunskomu Square (which also goes by the Soviet name, Ordzhonikidze Square). The sculpture is of P. A. Oyunsky, a writer and prominent communist, who stands as a symbol of the fertile beginnings of reason, and a metal ark in the form of the Russian letter "П," engraved with Oyunsky quotes.

Polar Star

Полярная звезда

There is more than one eating area in Polar Star hotel. The pizzeria offers perhaps the best pizza in town, and usually has real pepperoni. The main restaurant offers European and Yakutian food. The food is ok. The service tends to be slow.

Daily 12:00-00:00·RUB 700-1500

Publishing Office cafeteria

Столовая Дома печати

This cafeteria is in the main publishing office in Yakutia, where the government puts out all the republic's newspapers. The prices are for the masses, with large portions and a good old-fashioned Soviet feel, from the menu to the ambiance. A utilitarian place for the most undiscriminating palates.

Daily 12:00-15:00·~RUB 70

Shokoladnitsa

Franchise coffee shop with main courses like chicken carbonara and desserts and of course coffee.

Daily 12:00-00:00·RUB 1000

Tamerlan

Тамерлан

This is sometimes advertised as the best Mongolian bbq in Yakutsk. Since it is the only one, it is true. However, anyone who knows what good Mongolian bbq should be will be disappointed here.

Daily 09:00-00:00·RUB 150-400

The Orto-Doidu Zoo

Орто-Дойду

You'll find some 150 types of animals here, beginning with invertebrates and finishing with more charismatic megafauna, including extremely rare Amur tigers, polar bears, and Siberian mountain goats. The core of the exhibition is fauna of the Russian Extreme North and Far East (with good reason, since they're suited to survive the winters!). More needy creatures find home in a sheltered terrarium and aviary. You can get there via bus #202 and the Yakutsk-Pokrovsk marshrutka, both running from the bus station.

The Pushkin State Academic Russian Dramatic Theater

Государственный академический русский драматическией театр им. Пушкина

Dramatic productions in the Russian language. Classics and modern works.

The Suorun Omollona State Theater of Opera and Ballet

Государственный театр оперы и балета им. Суорун Омоллона

Opera and ballet performances of Russian and international classics, as well as Yakut-written performances. There are also local concerts and the occasional guest artist.

Theater of Humor and Satire

Театр юмора и сатиры

Comedy shows and various humorous programs in the Yakut language. There is no simultaneous translation, so uh, brush up on your Yakut. There are also concerts performed by Yakut artists, which may be more accessible than Yakut standup comedy.

Trapeza

Трапеза

This place offers cafeteria-style service with Yakutian and Russian dishes for a very reasonable price. The place also offers pizza and sushi. In the summer time, there is a veranda where one can dine outdoors. The interior is a little shabby, but the place is relatively clean and the food is okay. If you need some cheap eats, this might be just the place.

Underground Laboratory of the Institute of Cryogenics

Подземная лаборатория Института Мерзлотоведения

The only museum in the world of natural cryonics. The trip underground is accompanied by detailed lectures (in Russian, naturally) about the essence of this natural phenomenon, and also displays of the preserved exhibits within the natural "freezer." Do not forget to wear very warm clothes!

Call in advance to schedule a tour

Victory Stele

Стелла Победы

A large stele at the north end of Victory Square (Площадь Победы) dedicated to the Soviet victory in World War II, topped with a statue of the hero (N'urguna Bootura) of the Yakut national epic "Olonkho."

Yakutsk Historical and Cultural Museum of the Northern peoples, Em. Yaroslavskovo

Якутский государственный музей истории и культуры народов Севера им. Ем. Ярославского

The main museum in the city, with an impressive collection of artifacts from various periods in the history of Yakutsk—beginning with the prehistoric and ending with the events of the 1990s. Of special interest is the rich collection of stuffed wildlife from the North, and one of the world's few complete woolly mammoth skeletons.

Daily 10:00-17:00·Free

Zastava or Kazachiy Dvor

Застава

This is where many office workers will have their lunch. Yakutian and European is offered and is simple and unpretentious. The interior is cozy and the service generally ok.

Closed · opens noon·RUB 500

Chochur Muran

Чочур Муран

A restaurant just outside the city in a picturesque location in a tower of the on-site replica of the Lensky Fort. Chochur Muran specializes in Yakut fish dishes. The ambiance is nice, with a Yakut mini-museum, dog-sledding and snowmobiling outside in the winter, and ice sculptures.

Daily 12:00-00:00·RUB 600-2000

The Lena-Friendship Historical-Architectural Museum-preserve

Ленский историко-архитектурный музей-заповедник

The museum is on the right bank of the Lena River, right on the spot of the fort that led to the creation of Yakutsk. The principal attractions in the museum are outside—reproductions of the Spassky Church of the Zashiversky Fort and the boat of Peter Beketov (the founder of the fort). No less impressive are the old examples of the architecture of the peoples of Yakutia. Inside the exhibited buildings you'll find expositions dedicated to the cultures and daily life of the peoples of Yakutia: clothing, worship, weapons, burial complexes, arts, etc. In the museum you can also try the food at a restaurant specializing in Yakut cuisine. In the spring there are folk festivals. One of the most memorable sights of the preserve is the observation on top of the nearest hill, from which opens a breathtaking view of the Lena River.

The Old City

Старый город

The Old City, reconstructed in the architectural style of the 19th century, is in the very center of Yakutsk, and is bordered by the streets Ammosov, Arzhakov, and the Plaza of the Fallen Soldiers (Аммосова, Аржакова, плошадь Павших бойцов). The streets are off limits to traffic, paved as they are with wooden billets, and there are cafeterias, markets, all in the city's favorite place to relax. Here you'll find the restored Preobrazhenskaya Church, the founders monument, the memorial to fallen soldiers, a stone column dedicated to the 375th year anniversary of Yakutia joining the Russian Empire, and the M.K. Ammosov museum (Ammosov was a prominent Yakut political activist who led an active role in bringing Soviet power to Siberia).

Ysyakh

Ысыах

This is the big festival, the biggest traditional Yakut festival there is. It's the Yakut national festival celebrating (and wishing for) fertility, usually celebrated on the Summer Solstice (21 June). In some years the date can wander around. There's an all-nationality parade in the suburb of Us Khatyn (Ус Хатын), which sees tens of thousands of people from all the various peoples of the Russian Federation (and make no mistake, there are tons of different ethnicities within the country). The main event, as a rule, of the two-day festival, is the painted blessing ceremony of the harvest by the White Shaman. No less important for the Yakuts are the sacred rites of the second day's sunrise. The festivities are conducted with competitions in traditional Yakut sports, like Yakut archery, stick fighting, "Khapsagai" (Хапсагай) wrestling, and also national arts: singing, Vargan mouth harp, reciting of traditional oral epics, and others. There are also competitions to make the best national dishes, folk costumes, traditional folk concerts, as well as local popular music. In short, it's a blast and this is the time to visit.