Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

  • Crete
  • Greece
  • Food
  • Eastern Europe
  • Real Estate
  • World
  • Travel Technology

2013-04-09

The small town of Kyzyl in Russia is appealing for many reasons. Its location in the exact geographic center of Asia places is it almost 4000 kilometers away from the Russian capital. Surrounded by the wide steppe of the Tuva republic, the taiga fauna and the dramatic landscapes of the Sayan Mountains in the north, as well as the camel-inhabited deserts in the south. The agricultural society, the 100,000 inhabitants that make it anything but crowded, the local crafts and throat singing would all make Kyzyl quite the off-the-beaten path treasure. But it’s this towns psychic energy that makes it famous.

Shaman dancing, courtesy of Wikipedia

“If a person decides to move to Kyzyl to start a business,” Otkun Dostay, the head of the Tuvan branch of UNESCO,  told the Moscow Times, “he will gain mental and spiritual equilibrium. Finding himself in the middle of the taiga, a person becomes placated by the energy and the breath of nature. It is like recharging a battery. After living here for 2-3 months people who come from big cities gain a great supply of energy. They will not need those cities anymore.”

It might sound like crazy talk, but the metaphysical attraction of the region where shamanism and Buddhism rule inhabitants’ spiritual life attracts travelers from near and far. They might believe the practical experiences or the scientific interest in the area, Nobel-prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman is well known for his obsession with reaching Kyzyl.

My grocery store in Kyzyl, Tuva, Siberia, Russia

If that is not enough, Kyzyl is popular for the political VIPs roaming in the region. President Vladimir Putin visited the region several times and it might be that the supernatural powers of Kyzyl had lead him to his bare-chested horseback riding photo that took the Internet by storm. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is also a Tuvan native.

Last impressions of Kyzyl, Tuva, Siberia, Russia

While there are plenty of reasons to make the trip to Kyzyl, there is one huge obstacle making it easy for tourists to go elsewhere: getting to Kyzyl is quite the adventure in itself. There are no direct flights from Moscow, no connection with the Trans Siberian railroad and the nearest city is 400 kilometers away.

Yet the miraculously refreshing energy hidden in the heart of Asia might be just enough to help adventurous travelers overcome all difficulties and make their way to Kyzyl.

Tags: Asia, Kyzyl, Russia, tundra, Tuva

About Aleksandr Shatskih

You may like:

A Weekend with Children in Moscow
Rostourism To Create Vladimir Putin Experiences for Travelers
TUI Russia Pledges 300,000 Tourists to Vacation in Greece
Russia’s Vladimir Potanin Backs New Sochi Resort
Previous: Places You Never Heard Of: Russia’s Arkhangelsk
Next: Kaunas Photo Jubilee Begins in Lithuania’s Second City

Maria Papadaki ad banner

Featured Stories

Andreas Papandreou Street

New Renovation Plan for Amoudara’s Andreas Papandreou

Firefighters work desperately to save Ierapetra

Wildfire Forces Evacuations Across Ierapetra, Crete [Video]

Chania cruises

Chania Cruises Set for Record-Breaking Year in 2025

Mesara plain

Wildfire Threatens Mesara: Crete’s Heartland Faces Another Summer Trial

Cretan vineyards

Oenophiles Alarmed as Cretan Vineyards Decline

How Public Relations in Hospitality Adapts to AI Technology banner

Your go-to guide for foraging cretan horta

Stories of Interest

strata illustration

Chania’s Traditional Strata Continues Tomorrow with Music and Dance

2025-07-07 By Iorgos Pappas

On Tuesday nights, Chania’s heart beats loudest along the Traditional Strata. No ticket needed, just follow the music.

Andreas Papandreou Street

New Renovation Plan for Amoudara’s Andreas Papandreou

2025-07-07 By Iorgos Pappas

The Mayor of Malevizi has presented the renovation plan for Andreas Papandreou Street in Amoudara on July 1, 2025.

10000 passengers

10000 Passengers in Souda Set New Cruise Record for Chania

2025-07-07 By Manuel Santos

More than 10,000 passengers arrived in Souda, Chania, as cruise ship visits reached unprecedented levels in one day in July.

cretan hospitality

Cretan Hospitality Turns Turkish Influencers into Raki-Drinking Storytellers

2025-07-01 By Kostas Raptis

A group of Turkish journalists and influencers visited Crete from June 21 to 26, 2025, experiencing authentic Cretan hospitality as part of a campaign by the Region of Crete.

cruise passengers

14.3% Surge in Cruise Passengers in Heraklion

2025-07-01 By Iorgos Pappas

Cruise passengers arriving at Heraklion surged by 14.3% in the first half of 2025, hitting 190,606 visitors.

More Crete travel news

  • Authors
  • Contributors
  • Submit Press Release
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

COPYRIGHT © 2025 · ARGOPHILIA TRAVEL NEWS