Zabaykalsky

A large selection of gifts and souvenirs, including handmade items by local artisans.

Between the settlement of Novaya Chara and Kodar Park lies the northernmost sand desert in the world — the Chara Sands. This natural desert, with classic crescent dunes, is bordered by taiga forest on one side and mountain ranges on the other. The dunes reach 15–30 metres in height, and you can even snowboard on them. How to get there: from Chita to Novaya Chara you can fly (flights run every other day). A one-way ticket starts at about 15,000 rubles per person with luggage; flight time is one and a half to two hours. Another option is to take the train with transfers: first Chita — Skovorodino (along the Trans‑Siberian about 20 hours), then Skovorodino — Novaya Chara (along the BAM about 12–13 hours) — the whole trip costs almost the same as by plane: 12,000–15,000 rubles.

A log house whose upper part is decorated with colourful wooden fish.

Nebo is a popular, flower-filled café in Chita praised for its atmospheric interior, broad alternative-coffee selection and beautifully presented breakfasts and desserts. Visitors consistently highlight friendly staff, appealing plating and excellent filter/flat white coffees, though a minority warn about slow service or occasional issues with specific dishes.

The house impresses with its boldly twisted entrance composition and a several‑metre wooden spire.

Kodar National Park contains about 20 glaciers, dozens of mountain lakes, cascades of waterfalls and alpine meadows. The highest point of the Kodar range is peak BAM (3 073 metres). Main attractions include uranium mines, the Marble Gorge, the Medvezhy (Bear) Pass and several lakes: Sleeping Beauty, Uglovoye and Alyonushka (on the territory of the Chara Sands). Tourist routes usually start from the settlement of Novaya Chara, home to just over four thousand people. Hiking alone and without experience is not recommended: routes are dangerous, the taiga is truly wild with sharp temperature swings and sudden weather changes. Bears, foxes, wolves, lynx, wolverines and snow sheep inhabit the park. If you go hiking here, notify the Emergency Ministry (MChS) and the Novaya Chara administration of your group composition and planned route. The best time to visit Kodar and the Chara Sands is mid‑summer, when hot weather sets in (around +25 °C) with minimal rain — then camping overnight and staying in huts during a trek usually presents no problems. Various travel companies run trips in Kodar: “Territory of Adventures”, Siberian Hike, “Sila Territory”. Depending on duration, such tours cost 50 000–110 000 rubles. How to get there: you can fly from Chita to Novaya Chara (flights run every other day). A one‑way ticket costs from about 15 000 rubles per person with baggage; flight time is 1.5–2 hours. Another option is by train with a transfer: first Chita–Skovorodino (along the Trans‑Siberian, about 20 hours), then Skovorodino–Novaya Chara (along the BAM, about 12–13 hours) — the total cost is almost the same as flying: about 12 000–15 000 rubles.