Published on: 2026-10-12
Source: The Government of the Russian Federation –
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On October 11, 2026, the ceremonial opening of the new eco-trail “Taphar” took place in the Ivolginsky District of Buryatia. The route was created as part of the “Trails of the Far East” project, implemented under the instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District, Yuri Trutnev, and with the support of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic and the Far East Development Corporation (FEDC).
“One of the priority tasks set by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is related to the development of tourism and the creation of a comfortable living environment. The project ‘Trails of the Far East’ was created so that as many people as possible – residents of the regions and tourists – can enjoy active recreation in comfortable conditions and with a careful attitude towards nature. The ‘Taphar’ route is unique in that it combines natural recreation, art, and support for ethnoculture. The ‘Trails of the Far East’ is a tool for territorial development. New routes expand opportunities for active recreation for residents and become magnets for tourist flows, stimulating the creation of hospitality facilities, the development of local businesses, and the emergence of new jobs,” said Deputy Chairman of the Government – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev.
The main architectural feature of the new trail is 12 sculptures representing the signs of the Eastern calendar, created by the world-renowned sculptor Dashi Namdakov. At the beginning of the trail is the entrance group with the author’s composition “Warriors,” made from Kelo pine from Karelia, Sapele mahogany, copper, horsehair, and fabric. Further along the route, there are bronze and stainless steel animal sculptures in the following sequence: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Together with the natural objects and the statue of the Guardian, they form a symbolic space filled with the magic of forms and landscapes.
The trail is 4.5 km long. It is an equipped walking route made from natural materials, featuring hand-laid stone stairs, resting areas with handmade larch benches, viewing platforms with panoramic views of steppe landscapes, mountains, villages of the Ivolginsky district, and the center of Buddhism in Russia – the Ivolginsky Datsan. For the convenience and safety of visitors, signs, information plaques, outdoor lighting, and video surveillance systems have been installed. The route follows the path of the sun and symbolizes goroo – the traditional Buddhist circumambulation, a path of purification.
“Today we have a momentous event – the second Far Eastern trail has opened in Buryatia. This is not just a route. It is a place of power where the beauty of nature combines with the history, legends, and culture of our people. Sculptor and artist of world renown Dashi Namdakov created 12 symbols of the Eastern horoscope, with a statue of the Guardian at the head. This place has already become a magnet for people who come here to recharge their energy, relax, and be inspired by the unique work of a talented local. It is now important to preserve what the artists and nature itself have created,” said Aleksey Tsydenov, Head of the Republic of Buryatia, at the trail’s opening.
“The ‘Taphar Trail’ is an unusual project that combines high art and natural recreation. Dashi Namdakov and I were able not only to reveal the beauty of this place but also to create a world-class sculpture park. I am confident that this trail will become a focal point for residents and guests of the Republic of Buryatia,” emphasized the head of the ‘Far East Trails’ project, Khaid Mantaev.
“A tourist trail can be much more than just a tourist infrastructure object for a region. It is a practical tool for spatial development that allows creating new points of attraction, including in remote areas, redistributing tourist flows, and forming conditions for balanced territorial development. The network of tourist trails enables the consistent involvement of new territories into the tourist economy and the creation of growth points,” noted Yulia Ivanova, Deputy Director of the Investment Department at KRDV.
“The Trails of the Far East” include 18 projects for the development of infrastructure for tourist routes in the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District, within which visitor centers, rest areas, observation decks, rental points, and landscaping facilities are being created. The total length of the new routes, which will include tourist magnets such as volcanoes, petroglyphs, mountain ranges, picturesque bays, capes, beaches, and historical monuments, will be 127 km. 1.8 billion rubles have been allocated for the implementation of the projects under a unified presidential subsidy. On October 11, 2025, the first trail of the project — the “Health Trail” — opened in Ulan-Ude, with a length of 20.9 km, making it the longest in the Far East. Exactly one year later, the “Chinggis Khan Plateau” trail opened. Local residents consider this place sacred. The new “Trails of the Far East” project aims to become a unique tourist destination in the Republic of Buryatia, where the beauty of the plateau — a “place of power” — is complemented by high art, elements of Buryat culture, and spiritual heritage.
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