Krasnoyarsk: The real Winter Wonderland experience

by Peter Lynch (United Kingdom (Great Britain))

A leap into the unknown Russia

Hyde Park in December? Maybe. Lapland at Christmas time? Perhaps. And if you don’t want to leave your house at all, Elsa and Olaf will provide the perfect company as you cuddle up by the fire to Frozen. But what about the real Winter Wonderland? Well, it can only be found by looking in the right place. That place isn’t easy to find, but once you do stumble across it, there’s no looking back. And somewhere among the endless icy mountains and dense forests in the vast province of Siberia, that winter wonderland can be found in the form of Krasnoyarsk. The largely unexplored city experiences modest summers that are undoubtedly pleasant, yet ultimately fall short in terms of unrivalled adventures elsewhere across this place we call home. Therefore, to witness the real Krasnoyarsk, the true Krasnoyarsk, there’s no better time to visit than throughout the winter months, where you’re instantly awoken by an ice-cold bite from the Russian breeze. Located on the never-ending Yenisei River, which is cunningly kept from freezing by the city’s hydroelectric dam, Krasnoyarsk comes to life when the cool Siberian air whistles through, with temperatures regularly falling well below zero as the dark evenings creep in. It’s known more formally as one of Russia’s top aluminium producers, as well as being a key junction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. But go behind the scenes, and there’s so much more to this simple but exciting place. The Stolby Nature Reserve nestles itself among extensive forests in the south of the city, but it’s the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel that perhaps stands tallest - both literally and figuratively - when it comes to the one place you cannot miss on your trip to the outermost regions of planet earth. The calming Karaulnaya Gora leads up to the sacred chapel, a hugely peaceful site that offers an incomparable panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains. Not only is the trusted building found on ten rouble notes, but all guests of Krasnoyarsk and newlyweds are brought there, such is the importance of this hallowed monument. And where better to enjoy your break from the ice and snow in the aptly named Hotel Krasnoyarsk? Centrally located on the vibrant Theatre Square, you are basically sleeping on the shores of the boundless Yenisei River. Several museums will also be of interest, with the Vasily Surikov Museums top of that list, paying homage to the great Russian painter who lived in the area before joining the National Academy of Arts in Moscow. As you may have guessed, it may be difficult to stumble across someone who shares your local tongue. The language barrier may be a hindrance in some aspects, but the friendly staff at Hotel Krasnoyarsk are always on hand to help. Ordering breakfast may not be as straightforward as you would have hoped, but how hard is it to translate something on the internet these days? That said, you’ll struggle to find a more isolated place to forget about life for a while as the snowflakes drop around you. There’s always something happening throughout Krasnoyarsk, with theatre, concerts, street art and of course the beauty of Russian ballet, taking place in several of the city’s unique yet equally intriguing venues. Though remote, Krasnoyarsk airport can take you to all the major Russian cities, as well as international flights to the likes of Azerbaijan and China, so there really is no excuse not to come and visit. But wrap up, be prepared for that chilling winter bite, and experience this serene and charming city while you can. With over one million inhabitants, Krasnoyarsk stands proudly as Siberia’s third largest city, but it would happily welcome a couple more, even just for a flying visit through the icy streets. It’s not known to many, but author Anton Chekhov wasn’t wrong when he judged Krasnoyarsk to be the most beautiful city in Siberia.