Olkhon - an island that is among the three dozenother Baikal islands stand out. It is shrouded in many ancient legends and myths. This island is also famous for the grandeur of nature monuments, a variety of landscapes. Olkhon is located on the territory of one of the parks, Pribaikalsky, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful places of Baikal. Olkhon is an island that is especially beautiful in the fall, when the coast becomes almost deserted. Covered with a golden carpet of grass, forests that are touched by bright colors, he freezes under the impact of the Baikal waves, waiting for the harsh Siberian winter.
The largest island of Baikal OlkhonIt is located in the middle of this lake, not far from its west coast. It stretches along its shore. 73 km is the length of Olkhon (between the capes of Umysh-Tame and Khoboy), and the width reaches 15 kilometers. About 700 square meters. km is the area of the island. Approximately 210 km is the length of its coastline. Photos of the island of Olkhon are presented below.
Prisoner between the island and the west coastThe lakes of Baikal are a unique water space with a special microclimate. It even has a special name - the Small Sea, which speaks of a certain independence and exclusivity and is classified as a strait. From the coast of Baikal, the southwestern part of the island is separated by the Strait of Olkhon Gate, which has the reputation of the most treacherous place on Baikal.
There are at least two major versions.origin of the name Olkhon. This island was named in the language of the local people - the Buryats. According to the first, Olkhon is derived from the word "oikhon", which means "wooded." According to another version - from "alder", that is, "dry." Both of these options correspond to the appearance of the island, since it is both wooded and dry. Therefore, it is difficult to give preference to one of them.
The history of Olkhon goes back to antiquity.This is confirmed by various archaeological finds and historical monuments. They are collected for more than two hundred years of studying Olkhon. As of 1993, 143 different archaeological sites were known on the island. Of these, many are protected by the state. Unfortunately, many monuments were destroyed, including ancient stone walls. The purpose of their construction is still unknown. They were destroyed in 1963, using the mined stone to strengthen the pier, located in the village, which is called Khuzhir.
Западное побережье данного острова, омывающееся The waters of the Small Sea are flat for the most part, with bays extending deep into the coast, as well as rocky capes. On the contrary, the eastern, rocky, mountainous, ends abruptly into Baikal. There are no deep bays. The highest point of Olkhon is located on its southern coast. This is Mount Jima, which is 1274 meters high. It rises 818 meters above the Baikal. The deepest place of the lake is just 11 kilometers from Zhyma. This is a mark of 1637 meters. The steepness of the underwater slope in these places reaches 30-40 degrees near the island.
Steppe is the southern part of the island of Olkhon andpartly northern extremity. In the rest of the space grow birch, larch and pine forests. On the west coast, in its middle part, from Cape Sasa to Cape Khuzhirsky, the shores are sandy. Overgrown with larches and pines, dissected by capes, they will leave an unforgettable impression on travelers.
Big enough to have yourlakes, Olkhon. This island has several reservoirs. Of these, the most famous and large are the following lakes: Nurskoe, which from time to time merges with the Bay of Zagli; Khanhoy with many archaeological sites; Shara-Nur - the only salt lake on the island of Olkhon; Nuku Nur - a reservoir in which many living organisms live.
There are no rivers on the island, only a couple of streams thatreach the Baikal. Small springs are found in the forest part of Olkhon. They feed a few swamps. In some places, despite the lack of water, new streams appear right before our eyes.
Живая природа на этом острове пострадала в largely from anthropogenic impact. Over the past few decades, the human cormorant, falcon-balaban, roe deer, wolf, and bustard have disappeared from Olkhon through the fault of man. As early as the 18th century, the sable was completely wiped out on the island. The seal has become a rarity, and earlier it loved to bask on the coastal stones under the sun. This unique animal can be found now only on the east coast of Olkhon Island. From here in recent years the solar eagle, which previously nested on the island, has completely disappeared. This is the sacred Bald Eagle, to which many ancient legends of Lake Baikal, the son of the Master of Olkhon, and also the progenitor of local shamans are dedicated. To this bird sacrifices are still offered.
Currently there are 135 species on Olkhon.birds (wagtail, horned lark, sauna stove, white-nosed swift, Daurian jackdaw, wood grouse, black grouse, duck, sandpiper and others) There are 20 species of mammals (weasel, polecat, squirrel, hare, fox, lynx, etc.), including an endemic animal called the Alkhon vole. It is found exclusively in the Baikal steppes. You can find here 1 species of amphibians and 3 - reptiles. In winter, large predators are found on Olkhon, single wolves, on the ice penetrating to the island. Wolf packs in the same way come extremely rarely. And do not be afraid: there are no bears.
Holidays on the island of Olkhon will be remembered for a long time.Baikal, surrounded by many secrets and legends, attracts many tourists. Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal) is particularly popular with holidaymakers. This is the heart of the lake, as well as the only island on Baikal that is inhabited.
Olkhon is also the largestof the islands. This is a cultural center of tourism. On the island that interests us in July, the Siberian Ramp, an international theater festival, is held annually. In August, there is also a festival of amateur theaters. However, the main thing that distinguishes this place is its extraordinary fauna, flora and people, far from city life, inhabiting the island of Olkhon.
How to get here? To the island from the city of Irkutsk - 5-6 hours drive. You can get here by car, as well as by a minibus. There is a ferry from the mainland to the island.
A sense of mystery and fabulousness arisesimmediately upon arrival at Olkhon. Sand-covered roads coexist with forests, where trees grow in the sand. The reason for this is Sarma (hurricane wind blowing from Sarminsky gorge).
Несколько поселений расположено по берегам озера.Of these, the largest is Khuzhir. Every summer this village gathers tourists. There are some signs of the city in it: an internet cafe, a club, a museum, a library. However, Khuzhir seems far from civilization. After all, these arelanders live here.
A long time ago, people settled on Olkhon.An ancient human site dating from the Paleolithic era was found in the Sarai district. Her age is estimated at more than 13 thousand years. About 1500 people live in several villages today. Basically it is the Buryats, the indigenous population. Their occupation is cattle breeding and fishing.
About 1,200 people live in Khuzhir. The only industrial enterprise on the island is located here. It is the Malomorsky fish factory, the largest on Baikal.
There is a village among the sand dunes, whichconsists of only a few houses. This is the remnant of the former village of Kharanza. Baba Katya, her only inhabitant, sits on the bench, listening to the seagulls flying over the island. And how many folk legends does this old woman know ...
The warmest months in Olkhon are August and July.Winter is quite snowless and mild here, but longer than on the mainland. Summer and spring come a little later than on the mainland. Very little precipitation falls on Olkhon, about 200 mm per year. This is the norm for semi-desert. South-western and southern parts are the driest not only on this island, but also on the whole Baikal. Seaside ridge to blame. Through it, the air masses roll over on the way to the island. Overcoming it, they heat up, rolling down into the Baikal hollow. This leads to a drop in moisture. Therefore, the rains intended for Olkhon usually fall on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Olkhon rain is about 10 drops per hour. However, there are here and heavy rains, as well as protracted bad weather.
Often the wind blows on Olkhon for a long time. At the same time, its northwestern direction prevails. 148 days - the average number when the wind speed is more than 15 m / s.
Like Baikal itself, Olkhon was overgrown with legends to suchthe extent that locals feel part of fairy tales. Even place names here speak for themselves. In Khuzhir, for example, there is a shamansky cape, which was counted among the nine shrines of Asia. On the island once there were constantly shamans. Sacrifices to the spirits were made on this rock.
The island is rich in cliffs and capes, which, as iftalented artist, created by nature. Some resemble the outlines of animals or people. Cape of Love attracts tourists. This is almost the main attraction of Olkhon. They say that the rock with a certain fantasy resembles the legs of a woman, bent at the knees.
According to legend, if the Buryats could not conceive a child,they came here and asked the spirits to help. And today, people enjoy the magical rock. To ask the boy, according to belief, you need to go left, the girl - right. If you want twins, go straight.
On Olkhon there are many places where it is acceptedask for something spirits or make wishes. Shaman poles scattered around the island. They should be tied colored ribbons, while making wishes. There are places where people put candies, coins and other items as a gift to the gods, asking them for something.
The mirror of desires is a place endowed with special magic.To get here, you have to overcome a dangerous and long way along Baikal along the cliff of Olkhon Island. But those who manage to do this, as a gift, will receive a unique view of the lake flooded with sunlight. Silent marble rocks with the wind speak here silently. According to legend, the mirror of desires is a window in the rock, which, if you enter it, can fulfill your innermost hopes and intentions.
Olkhon Island on hot summer days becomesby the beach. There are many sandy beaches here. Another definition that can be given to this island is the shelter of gulls. There is even a Cape Gull. It is a cliff of Olkhon Island, on which these birds gather in large flocks. Here are organized for tourists excursions on the boat. Everyone who wants can feed the birds with bread. They say that in the water you can see inadvertently a mermaid. Of course, this is a kind of beliefs and legends, but anything can happen.
