Unveiling Lake Baikal: A Journey to Siberia's Legendary Waters

The adventure to explore the mysteries of Lake Baikal officially begins. Departing from Beijing, a mere 3-hour flight on S7 Airlines brings you to Irkutsk, Russia—the capital of Irkutsk Oblast in southern East Siberia. As the gateway to Lake Baikal, this city carries the dreams of countless travelers. Upon landing at Irkutsk Airport, we met our guide, Margarita, and immediately switched to a 4-seater SUV, heading toward the spiritual heart of Lake Baikal—Olkhon Island. The roughly 7-hour drive was so breathtakingly scenic that fatigue quickly melted away. Our first stop was near the village of Ust-Orda, where we participated in an ancient Buryat ritual to appease the spirit of Lake Baikal. Following shamanic traditions, we tied red and white ribbons symbolizing peace and love, then sipped local wine, letting the ceremony’s cultural richness linger on our tongues—a first conversation with the soul of this land. Along the way, a stunning sight emerged: a natural marble quarry by Lake Baikal. Towering slabs of marble, their weathered veins contrasting with the lake’s crystal-clear waters, stood as raw masterpieces sculpted by nature. The rough stones, glinting under the sun, painted a primal and majestic scene alongside the shimmering waves, leaving us in awe. #LakeBaikalAdventure