People living in Irkutsk Oblast are lucky to live on the banks of Lake Baikal – the deepest freshwater lake in the world. Visitors to Irkutsk Oblast can discover the secrets of the shamans on Olkhon Island, travel along the Circum-Baikal Railway, enjoy Irkutsk's ancient architecture, see the famous Baikal seal and taste the delicious Baikal omul.
The region has a rich cultural and historical heritage: prehistoric settlements, the Russian colonization of Eastern Siberia, the era of the Decembrists and the Soviet period of rapid construction.
Irkutsk, the region's capital, is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia, combining unique architecture and the cultural traditions of a Siberian town. Irkutsk has many wooden settlements; unique churches; pieces of architectural and engineering art; theaters famous in Russia and abroad; and old museums. The Decembrists in Irkutsk historical and architectural museum is of particular importance. The restored historical center – 130th Quarter (Irkutsk Settlement) – attracts great attention. The settlement is Irkutsk's cultural and tourism center; it has restored historically valuable wooden houses; abandoned houses are being renovated; there are blacksmiths and potteries, souvenir stalls, cafes; and the House of Music named after the world-famous pianist Denis Matsuev, whose life and works are closely linked with Irkutsk and Baikal.
For more about Irkutsk visit
https://eng.russia.travel/irkutskaja/