Information about the region
Administrative center: the city of Barnaul, founded in 1730.
The region was formed: September 28, 1937.
Geographical position
Altai Territory is located in the southeast of Western Siberia. In the north, the region borders on the Novosibirsk region, in the east - on the Kemerovo region, the southeastern border passes with the Republic of Altai, in the south-west and west - the state border with the Republic of Kazakhstan. The length of the territory from west to east is about 600 km, from north to south - about 400 km.
The area of the Altai Territory is 167,996 sq km, the population is over 2.3 million people (2020).
Climatic features
The climate of the Altai Territory is moderately continental, with warm summers and moderately frosty winters. Average maximum temperatures in July +26 ... + 28C, average minimum temperatures in January -20 ...- 24C.
Tourist opportunities
Altai Krai is a diversified tourist region, on the territory of which a variety of recreation and tourism programs, numerous tourist routes are presented.
The region is one of the most ecologically clean corners of Russia. The nature of the region is surprisingly rich and varied. From east to west, as in a kaleidoscope, dark spruce and fir forests and light larch forests, lush meadows and arid steppes, turbulent rivers with waterfalls and the calm surface of lakes are fancifully mixed.
In the Altai Territory, there are relict tape forests that have no analogues in the world. These strips of forest vegetation are perfectly visible from space. The longest strip - Barnaul - stretches for almost 400 kilometers. It is believed that the ribbon pine forests were formed during the Ice Age.
There are more than 5 thousand monuments of archeology, architecture, history and culture on the territory of the region. Some of them, for example the Denisova Cave, where scientists found the remains of a special type of ancient man a few years ago, are recognized as objects of world importance. An archaeological camp is organized next to the cave, the staff of which conducts excursions for guests, helping to touch the distant past.
The region has unique museums, many of which are associated with the names of great compatriots, known not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders. Tourists can visit the small homeland of designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, writer, actor and director Vasily Shukshin, actor Valery Zolotukhin, poet Robert Rozhdestvensky, second Soviet cosmonaut German Titov and others.
Unique medical and cosmetic products based on Altai herbs, curative mud and water of salt lakes, mineral springs, healing air, traditional and modern medical and health-improving methods can give new vitality to the weakened organism of a metropolitan inhabitant in a short time.
The leader of the sanatorium-resort complex of the Altai Territory is the only city-resort of federal significance beyond the Urals - Belokurikha, which has been repeatedly recognized as the best in Russia. Its sanatoriums provide services according to the European quality standard EuropeSpa Med.
Salt lakes with unusually useful water are the pearl of the region. Lake Bolshoye Yarovoye, a popular tourist destination, is known for its medicinal properties. Silt mud and water of this lake are successfully used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases.
Altai is a Mecca of active tourism. Fans of such a vacation strive here to travel on foot and skiing, on horseback or get a dose of adrenaline - rafting down the rough rivers on rafts, catamarans, kayaks or paragliding to the tops of the mountains.
One of the first in Russia special economic zones of tourist and recreational type "Turquoise Katun", which is located in the mountains, on the banks of the mountain river Katun, and offers tourists a wide range of services is a favorite vacation spot. The infrastructure of the tourist zone includes numerous hotels, bases, restaurants and cafes, sports grounds, and shopping malls. There is also an artificial lake in the mountains.
Not far from Turquoise Katun is the only Siberian Coin gambling zone in Siberia. Currently, the Altai palace entertainment complex operates here. Gambling is not the only reason to come here. Go to a restaurant, visit the SPA-salon, take a walk in the picturesque surroundings. In the summer, pop stars give concerts in the open area
Tourists in Altai can get acquainted with the traditions of the Russian Cossacks, Old Believers-Kerzhaks, Ukrainians, Germans, Kumandins. The region is home to about 150 nations and nationalities.
In rural farmsteads and guest houses, tourists participate in village holidays, get acquainted with the local culture, learn how to cook cheese, collect medicinal herbs and honey, berries and mushrooms.
Tourism in Altai will be remembered for a long time with delicious natural food from ecologically clean areas, an abundance of honey and cheese - famous branded products. Gastronomic tourism is one of the promising areas in the region. The regional team of chefs joined the federal project "Gastronomic Map of Russia" and surprises the guests of the region with the peculiarities of authentic cuisine at festivals and in local restaurants.
Recently, event tourism has been actively developing in the region. Many festivals and holidays have firmly taken their place in the "National Calendar of Events" and from year to year gather tens of thousands of guests. The annual holiday "Maralnik Blossom" opens the summer tourist season in the Altai Territory. The winter tourist season begins in the region with the "Altai wintering" holiday, timed to coincide with the arrival of swans on non-freezing lakes.
Sights:
Barnaul city (historical part)
Biysk city (historical part)
All-Russian Memorial Museum-Reserve of V.M. Shukshina in the village of Srostki (Biysk district)
Kolyvan stone-cutting plant named after I.I. Polzunova (Kurinsky district)
Arboretum "Altai Kholmogorye" (Altai region)
Natural Park "Altai Foothills" (Smolensk, Altai, Soloneshensky regions)
State natural reserve "Tigireksky" (Krasnoshchekovsky, Zmeinogorsky and Tretyakovsky districts)
State Natural Complex Reserve "Swan" (Sovetsky District)
Mount Babyrgan (Soviet District)
Mount Sinyukha (Kurinsky District)
Mount Tserkovka (Smolensk District)
Mount Devil's Finger (Natural Park "Aya", Altai District)
Lake Aya (Altai District)
Lake Beloye (Altai District)
Lake Kolyvanskoe (Zmeinogorsk district)
Raspberry Lake (Mikhailovsky District)
Denisova cave (Soloneshensky district)
Tavdinskie caves (Altai region)
Cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok river (Smolensk region)
For more information about the region, see the Internet resources of the state authorities of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation.
Altai Territory Administration for the Development of Tourism and Resort Activities