Slyudyanka is a town in Irkutsk Oblast 110km away from Irkutsk with population of 19,000 people.
Whenever you ride Trans-Siberian railway and the train moves slightly south to curve the Baikal, it stops and the passengers pitched by the fish-sellers always get out to buy some smoked Omul then you have arrived in Slyudyanka station. When fish is bought and carriage is oozing with the smell, give a look to the station building. White plates are the same as the gravel under the rails. It's marble. The name Slyudyanka stands for another mineral found here - the mica.
- Museum of minerals, 36, Slyudyanaya st..
- Wooden church.
- There is also a small exhibit inside the station building.
Hike: Slyudyanka may serve as a base and starting point for walks into nearby mountains.
A shop in Russian is "магазин", so look for this sign.
- The Circum-Baikal Railway starts in Slyudyanka. Train 6201 Matanya departs Slyudyanka 4 times a week (Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun) at around 13:20, arriving in Port Baikal 5-6 hours later.
- Arshan: There is one marshrutka mini-bus daily going to this foothill spa town, leaving at 09:30; price is around 250-300 RUB. In high season, try to book early.