Ulan Ude

Ulan-Ude (pop. 254,000), formerly Verkhneudinsk, the capital of Buryatia, Russia, is located at the foot of the mountains and is divided into two parts by the Uda river, a tributary of the Selenga river. It is the third largest city in East Siberia.

Ulan-Ude was founded in 1666 by Russian Cossacks. Due to its geographical position the city grew rapidly and became a large trade centre which connected Russia with China and Mongolia. There are old merchants' mansions richly decorated with wood and stone carving in the historical center of Ulan-Ude along the river banks. They represent beautiful examples of Russian classicism.