A car road over the ice of Lake Baikal to the largest island of Olkhon, inhabited by 1 thousand people every year and regularly visited by tourists, opened in Irkutsk Oblast.

The length of the road is 12 km, its carrying capacity is 10 tons, speed limit is 10 km/h. The thickness of the ice exceeds 70 cm. It is noted that this year the preparation of the road to Olkhon was significantly complicated by a large number of hummocks formed in the Maloe More Strait of Baikal due to severe frosts. Olkhon is the largest island on Lake Baikal, 73.5 km long and 15 km wide. It is connected to the mainland by a ferry line in summer and an ice road in winter. It is the most popular tourist destination for recreation in Irkutsk Oblast. 

With the cultural heritage of its aristocratic exiles, the Asian influence of nearby Mongolia and China and the easy accessibility of the Lake Baikal, Irkutsk is one of the most appealing cities in Russia. Certainly, the biggest attraction in Irkutsk is Lake Baikal, which is near enough for a day trip. The lake is world famous for its pure cold waters, unique flora and fauna and unforgettable views of the biggest water body in the continent. There are also nature reserves around the lake, which total more than a million hectares. In 1996, UNESCO declared the lake and its surrounding basin to be a National World Heritage Site.

Moreover, the city of Irkutsk is worth visiting as well. The city has a number of old churches, museums and other historic buildings.

Sources: russia-ic.com