Yakutsk (Russian: Яку́тск, yee-KOOTSK) is the capital city of Yakutia (a Russian republic the size of India) and one of the oldest and coldest cities of Siberia. Yakutsk has gained attention as potentially the coldest city in the world, but is worth a visit more for the great natural beauty of its surrounding countryside, unique cryogenic museums, and just for the spirit of adventure in the most remote lands of the world.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The Yakut are a Turkic people who live in Yakutsk region in the Far East. A detachment of Cossacks under the command of Pyotr Beketov founded the city as the Lenskii fort, on the right bank of the Lena River, which grew into (and changed its name to) Yakutsk in 1647. As one of the most important Russian outposts in eastern Siberia, Yakutsk became the economic and administrative center of the region—a base for probes (and later scientific expeditions) into the Far East and the extreme North. In 1822, Yakutsk was designated a city, and in 1851 became the administrative capital of the Autonomous Republic of Yakutia.
Bus is the basic mode (and really the only mode) of public transport within Yakutsk. A well developed network of marshrutkas can take you to practically anywhere in the city. A few suburban routes to the nearest inhabited localities also run from the main bus station. All routes cost 16 руб, although kids less than seven years old ride free. There are several taxi companies in Yakutsk, which you can call for service. The prices are not fixed, and depend on the length of the trip (and likely how much they think they can take this foreigner for). The average price for a cross-town trip is about 100-120 руб.
Take note: Yakutsk is far off the beaten path in Russia for international tourism. Consequently, you should expect all museum exhibits to be explained only in Russian. Fortunately some exhibits (like the cryogenically preserved mammoth head) don't require too much explanation! 1 Mammoth Museum (Музей мамонта), u. Kulakovskovo, 48, 4th floor (inside the Campus of Physical and Natural Sciences (КФЕН)), ☏ +7 4112 36-16-47. Daily 10:00-18:00. 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.
1 Oyunskovo Sakha Academic Theater (Саха академический театр им. П. А. Ойунского), ул. Орджоникидзе, 1, ☏ +7 4112 34-13-31, +7 4112 23-28-21. Dramatic theater in the Yakut language. There is a simultaneous translation in Russian. 2 The Suorun Omollona State Theater of Opera and Ballet (Государственный театр оперы и балета им. Суорун Омоллона), пр. Ленина д. 46/1, ☏ +7 4112 36-06-90, +7 4112 36-14-12, +7 4112 36-11-65. 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.
Most Yakutians do not often eat out in restaurants. When they do, it is most often for special occasions such as for weddings, birthday celebrations, and so on. Most of the local restaurant customers will tend to be the younger generation who were born after 1970. Traditional Yakutian food is simple and extremely bland. Soups are probably the most common items, and most Yakutians will have soup at least once during the day. Salads are very common, and almost always made with mayonnaise. Mayonnaise, as everywhere in Russia, is used everywhere and on everything. Yakutian delicacies include fish, reindeer, and young horse. Pork is the most common meat, but sausages and kolbasa are very common.
1 Buruo Lounge (Гараж), Glukhoy Pereulok, 1 а, ☏ +7 924 766-35-60. Su-F 14:00- 02:00, F-Sa 14:00-04:00. Here they serve burgers and snacks along with hookah and drinks. 2 Malina Shisha Lounge, Ulitsa Pavlika Morozova 1, ☏ +7 841 125-26-86. Waterpipe flavors and an assortment of drinks but no food, darn. 3 Muus Khaya, ul. Petrovskovo, 13, ☏ +7 4112 44-55-08. Su-Th 11:00-02:00, F Sa 11:00-03:00. This is a nice, friendly place to hang out, with a lot more to do than just music and dancing.
The center of the city, where you'll find the hotels, cultural activities, and the principal sights, is quite safe at any time of the day. The central streets are well lit and frequently patrolled by the police (who are probably more trouble than any actual criminal activity downtown). Do not drink in public at night or you will have problems with the police. There are street robberies/pickpocketing (especially on public transport), but such crimes are very rarely violent or even overt.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Yakutsk typically sees ~24°C daytime highs and 10 rainy days.
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