Ulan-Ude

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Ulan-Ude (Russian: Ула́н-Удэ́; Buryat: Улаан-Удэ), formerly Verkhneudinsk (Верхнеу́динск), the capital of the Buryat Republic, Russia, is located at the foot of the mountains and is divided into two parts by the Uda river, a tributary of the Selenga river. Geographical coordinates 51°50′N 107°36′E. Population 359,391 (2002 Census). It is the third largest city in East Siberia.

Ulan-Ude was founded in 1666 by Russian Cossacks. Due to its geographical position the city grew rapidly and became a large trade centre which connected Russia with China and Mongolia. There are old merchants' mansions richly decorated with wood and stone carving in the historical center of Ulan-Ude along the river banks. They represent beautiful examples of Russian classicism. There is also a large and highly unusual head of Lenin in the central square.