Chita_EN

1.

TRANSBAIKAL REGION
Chita
A city on the Trans-Siberian Railway where the
Decembrists lived, and the capital of Transbaikalia

2.

Chita at a glance
Founded in 1653 by Cossacks as the Chita fort (ostrog)
Received town status in 1851
Population of about 330,000
Capital of Zabaykalsky Krai since 2008
Time zone UTC+9, six hours ahead of Moscow
Divided into four districts; the main sights are in the Central district
Economic, scientific and cultural centre of the region

3.

Geography
Southern East Siberia, Zabaykalsky Krai
The city lies in a basin among forested hills
The Chita River flows into the Ingoda, and the city stands at their
confluence
A major junction of the Trans-Siberian Railway
In winter, weak ventilation can cause smog over the city
The region borders China and Mongolia

4.

Key dates
1653
The Chita fort is founded
1827
Decembrists are exiled to Chita
1851
Chita receives town status
1896
The Trans-Siberian Railway reaches the city
1920
Chita becomes the capital of the Far Eastern Republic (until
1922)
2008
Chita becomes the centre of the merged Zabaykalsky Krai

5.

City of the Decembrists
In 1827, participants of the 1825 uprising were brought to the Chita fort
With the arrival of exiles, soldiers, Cossacks and officers, the population
grew noticeably
Three years later the Decembrists were moved to Petrovsky Zavod
They are credited with the city's regular street plan and rich cultural
heritage
The Decembrists Museum tells the story of the exile
In 2011 a square with the sculpture "Love and Fidelity" opened in the city

6.

Capital for three years
In 1920 Chita became the capital of the Far Eastern Republic
The republic was a buffer state between Soviet Russia and Japan
In 1922 it became part of the RSFSR
In those years the city was the political centre of the whole Russian Far
East
Afterwards Chita returned to its role as a regional centre

7.

What to see
Decembrists Museum: the story of exile and life in Chita
Kuznetsov Regional Museum, one of the oldest museums in Siberia and
the Far East
Wooden architecture: old houses with carved "lace"
"Love and Fidelity" monument
Lake Kenon: walks in summer and winter
Victory Park and Chess Park

8.

Architecture
Regular street plan of the centre, formed in the Decembrist era
Wooden houses with carved window frames
Buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries in the centre
Soviet-era buildings in the centre and on the outskirts
Modern districts and new public spaces

9.

Culture of Transbaikalia
The region is home to Russians, Buryats, Evenks and other peoples
The Semeyskie are Old Believers whose culture is on the UNESCO list
Buddhist datsans operate in the region
Transbaikalia is called the meeting point of Siberia and the Far East
Chita has museums, theatres and a regional philharmonic

10.

Nature around the city
Lake Kenon lies within the city and is a favourite place to relax
The Chita and Ingoda rivers gave the city its place and its name
The hills are covered with forest, and wild rosemary blooms in spring
The region has Alkhanay National Park and the Daurian Nature Reserve
Natural sites attract tourists all year round

11.

Climate
Sharply continental climate with large temperature swings
Average January temperature about -25 °C: a cold, dry winter
Average July temperature about +19 °C: a warm summer
In winter, weak ventilation can cause smog
Temperatures are approximate

12.

Chita today
The Trans-Siberian Railway passes through Chita, and the city has
Kadala Airport
The region is rich in ores and coal, including the Udokan copper deposit
Zabaykalsky Krai borders China and Mongolia
Chita is the scientific, cultural and economic centre of the region
The city is developing and changing its look

13.

Chita in brief
Capital of Zabaykalsky Krai on the Trans-Siberian Railway
A city with a history since 1653 and a memory of the Decembrists
A sharply continental climate and beautiful nature nearby
Museums, wooden architecture and the culture of many peoples