Chita
Introduction
Chita is the administrative center of Zabaykalsky Krai, a Russian city that sits directly on the Trans-Siberian Railway route. Its position places it far to the east of Irkutsk and far to the west of Khabarovsk, making it one of the stops that breaks up the long rail journey across this part of Siberia.
Before you go
Chita is often passed over by travellers heading south from Irkutsk and Ulan Ude toward Mongolia and China, but it rewards a stop. As a Western visitor you may find yourself an object of curiosity, since you will be a rare sight here — yet Siberians take pride in their hospitality, and even a little time spent getting to know local people pays off richly. Plan your visit around that expectation: come prepared to interact rather than to pass through anonymously, and let conversation with residents shape your time in the city.Getting there
Chita sits on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and the train is the classic way to arrive; the city's station is Chita II. A bus service also runs to Ulan Ude, though how often it operates depends on the season. By air, Ural Airlines and S7 (Siberian) fly in regularly, and there are direct flights to and from Ekaterinburg. For Moscow, many travellers in Chita instead take the train to Irkutsk and fly from there, since that works out much cheaper. There is also a twice-weekly service to Beijing via Hailer on Air China, but it is often cut short, leaving you to continue by train. The civilian airport, Kadala, lies a few kilometres from the town centre; rather than paying for an expensive taxi, catch a marshrutka taxibus. In the city these leave from the large concourse between the train station and the cathedral — any marked 'аэропорт' (airport) will get you there. The airport itself has very few facilities, so bring food and drink if you expect a wait, which is likely given delayed flights, fuelling problems and drunken crew.Getting around
Chita's public transport is well developed and straightforward once you know which mode to use. There is no metro, and no city tram network — rail-based transport here means the mainline station, Chita II, on the Trans-Siberian. For getting around town, your options are trolleybuses, marshrutkas (taxibuses) and taxis. Trolleybuses are the most economical way to cover longer distances; marshrutkas cost a little more but are flexible and widely used. Fares are paid on board, so keep small change ready.
Taxis are available, but where you pick one up matters: cabs waiting at the railway station charge the highest prices, and the fare falls the further you walk from the station ranks into a nearby street. Always agree the price with the driver up front — once agreed, drivers generally stick to it. The city centre is compact enough that walking works well for short trips, particularly around the main station and the cathedral area; the large concourse between the train station and the cathedral is a useful landmark and a key point for catching transport. If you are arriving at Kadala airport, a few kilometres from the centre, take a marshrutka rather than an expensive taxi — airport-bound marshrutkas leave from that same concourse, marked аэропорт. The airport has very few facilities and delays are common, so bring food and drink and allow plenty of time. A bus service also connects Chita with Ulan Ude, though how often it runs depends on the season, so check schedules locally in advance.
Where to stay
In central Chita, the Zabaikalye and MontBlanc hotels charge Western prices for semi-Western standards. For something cheaper, you can find basic rooms at hotels such as the one on the junction of Osipenko and Petrov streets. Further out, the Panama City complex is a more expensive option in the suburbs, while Hotel Turist on Babushkina is known for its nomadic market traders and rampant prostitution. Note that there are no Western-style hostels in Chita.Food & drink
The source material for Chita's food and drink scene is too thin to write a reliable section. The Eat and Drink sections are both empty, so there are no dishes, venues, neighbourhoods, or drinking customs to describe. Rather than pad this with generic advice that isn't grounded in the source, this section should be left out until better information is available.What to see and do
In Chita you can trace the city's layered history through its religious architecture. The Kazansky Orthodox Cathedral, built in the Vladimir-Suzdal style, stands on Butina Street near Railway Square, while the Museum Church of the Decembrists on Dekabristov Street recalls the exiled Decembrists who left their mark on the region; reach it by taking trolleybus 1 or 3 from Railway Square to the Magazin Vesna stop. Further out, the city's datsan on Bogomyakova Street is a large Buddhist temple that reflects the Buryat and Buddhist heritage of the surrounding region. The source lists no specific activities or tours for Chita, so plan your time around these three sites and the neighbourhoods around them rather than expecting a packed schedule of organised entertainment.Three days in Chita
Day one: Arrive in Chita, the administrative centre of Zabaykalsky Krai, and get your bearings in a city that sits on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Use the trolleybuses to move around, and note that taxis are always available if you prefer. Plan your stay around the main streets, where the MontBlanc and Osipenko areas give you a feel for the city's daily life.
Day two: Head to Chita II, the station that ties the city to the wider Siberian network, and think about where the line can take you next - Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Ulan Ude, or onward toward Mongolia and China. If you are flying rather than riding the rails, Ural Airlines and Air China serve the city, with routes that connect to Ekaterinburg, Moscow, and Beijing. Spend the rest of the day around Petrov and Zabaikalye, the local names you will see on signs and hear in conversation.
Day three: Take a slower look at Chita before you leave. Western Siberians and Russians from across the region pass through here, and the city's position between Siberia, Mongolia, and China shapes its character. If you have time before your onward train or flight, walk the central streets once more and let the mix of Trans-Siberian traffic and borderland atmosphere settle in.