Elista



Elista is the capital of Kalmykia in Russia, containing many Buddhist temples, monasteries and architecture.

Understand
The city was founded in 1865, and has a population of just over 100,000. When, in WWII, a significant number of Kalmyks collaborated with the Germans during WWII, Stalin dissolved the Kalmyk ASSR, deported much of the citizenry to Siberia, and resettled the land with ethnic Russians and Siberians. Elista was named Stepnoy during this period. Only after Stalin's death were the Kalmyk people allowed to return, and the city resumed its former name. From then on, it witnessed some brighter days as the site of the 1998 Chess Olympiad (with the creation of a satellite village called Chess City even), the dedication of the tallest Buddhist temple in Europe by the Dalai Lama, and the establishment of many Buddhist and Lenin monuments by its enthusiastic mayor.

By plane

 * "ESL" redirects here; for the city in the United States, see East St. Louis

By train
The Moscow-Elista train route goes through Stavropol. However, the most convenient way is travel to Volgograd by train then on to Elista by express minivan, which are relatively cheap.



By bus
Several private companies operate a daily bus service between Moscow and Elista. The pickup point in Moscow is Luzhniki Stadium.

Get around
Mini-buses ply routes around the city.

Do

 * Drama Theatre
 * Puppet Theatre
 * Play chess

Buy

 * Kalmyk puzzle närn shanj (нәрн шанҗ)

Eat

 * Uralan (Уралан), Nomto Ochirova St., 9
 * Zheltaya Cheburechka, Ulitsa Pushkina 1. A little shwarma/cheburek hut that seems to win people's hearts and serves tea.
 * Chaykhana "Tamerlan", Ulitsa Imeni Yu 27A. Good-sized portions of kebabs, dumplings, soup, etc.
 * Gurman, Ulitsa Imeni Nomto Ochirova 9. Traditional dishes. Attached to the Kalmykia Museum.
 * Cafe Kalmyk Cuisine (Калмыцкая Кухня)

Drink
You can drink Kalmyk tea

Mid-range

 * Belyy Lotos, Khoninova Str., 7. Glassy exterior. Here you'll get a free breakfast and maybe some tea from a samovar. +7 960 897-18-18.
 * Belyy Lotos, Khoninova Str., 7. Glassy exterior. Here you'll get a free breakfast and maybe some tea from a samovar. +7 960 897-18-18.

Go next

 * Khurul Monastery - about 6 km from the city.