Khuzhir

Khuzhir

Khuzhir, a village on the shore of Maloye More (the Small Sea), is the heart of Olkhon Island. It is the largest and practically the only inhabited place on the island. In the 1930s, it was a fishing village where all the locals made their living from fishing. Today, many tour groups set out from here, including ours, since the village has plenty of hotels and guesthouses, shops, cafes, and restaurants. Despite the flow of visitors, Khuzhir has an extraordinary sense of peace and quiet, and feels far removed from the outside world. On our tours to Olkhon Island, we traditionally introduce travelers to Khuzhir and its scenic surroundings.

The village was founded in 1938 and has a population of around 1,300, while the other local villages have fewer than a hundred residents each. In Buryat, Khuzhir means “salt marshes” or “salt flats.” Today, locals mainly work in tourism, fishing, and livestock farming, as well as providing services for visitors.

The village has several museums, an art gallery, and a church dedicated to the Reigning Icon of the Mother of God (the only Orthodox church on Olkhon Island). We especially recommend visiting the local history museum. Its collection spans from the Neolithic era to the present day and tells the story of island life and culture, including local shamanic traditions. Visitors from other regions usually reach the village from Irkutsk Airport. The drive from Irkutsk to Khuzhir takes 6 hours by minibus, including the ferry crossing over the strait between the island and the mainland.

Near Khuzhir is one of the island’s three sacred sites: Shaman Rock, also known as Cape Burkhan. According to legend, Khan Khute-Baabai, the spirit of Olkhon Island, lives here. Shamanism originated in this place, where its earliest followers performed sacred rituals. For centuries, ordinary people did not settle near the sacred rock. To avoid angering the gods, women and children were never allowed near the Temple Rock, which is considered the dwelling place of evil spirits. Today, many intrepid visitors can approach it and go inside. For many years, ancient shamans were also cremated near the cape. Thirteen ritual serge posts stand here, attracting millions of visitors every year.

One of the most interesting places in Khuzhir is Saraysky Beach, stretching 3 kilometers long and almost a kilometer wide from Cape Burkhan. This sandy beach is lined with twisted trees, many of them around 500 years old. The sight of white sand and uniquely shaped trees leaves a lasting impression on every visitor to Olkhon Island. The beach is especially busy at the height of summer.

Khuzhir offers visitors a wide range of activities. You can go dog sledding, take a horseback ride, ride a catamaran, visit Tofalar reindeer, rent a bicycle, or, of course, set off on an exciting excursion.

Khuzhir is a truly unique place with its own history and a special atmosphere of peace and seclusion from the outside world. It is an ideal starting point for a trip to Olkhon, one of the most captivating and mysterious places on Lake Baikal. Read more about Olkhon and its many attractions in our article here.