Khakassia is something to surprise a sophisticated tourist and even a local resident. Let's postpone the conquest of endless steppes, crystal lakes and unusual rocks to the warmer months of the year. In the meantime, we will study the amazing history of these regions, which mixed incredible technical achievements, rich Slavic heritage and traditions of shamanism.
On the first day of this mini-journey we will visit the city of Minusinsk, the world-famous Pushkin Museum. Martyanov Museum, which is called "the miracle of Siberia". In the afternoon we'll go to the museum-reserve "Shushenskoye", and in the evening we'll appreciate the culinary and theatrical life of Sayanogorsk.
Start your journey by refueling at Gazprom Neft filling stations, grab coffee and fresh pastries on the way to make your trip more comfortable!
The first point of this mini-journey will be the oldest museum of Siberia, [Regional Museum named after N.M. Martyanov](https://xn----8sbahmlpvellw0ag7lzb.xn--p1ai/) in Minusinsk. In three buildings of a complex you will get acquainted with the nature of Siberia, learn about the most ancient civilizations and ethnoses of Sayano-Altai, study a life of Decembrists during the Siberian exile. A special place of the exposition is occupied by an impressive collection of stone sculptures, the age of which reaches 4.5 thousand years. Without a guide you can walk around the halls for a very long time - if you want to stay in a couple of hours, I recommend you to join the excursion. Mode of operation: Monday - Thursday and Sunday - from 10.00 to 18.00. Friday and Saturday - from 10:00 to 19:00.
For lunch we'll stop by the cafe "Nourishing Yard". It is made according to the type of the dining room - there is a small handout, along which you walk with a spread and pick up your favorite dishes. One of the best places in town for a hearty, fast and inexpensive lunch.
The year-round ethnographic complex ["Shushenskoye"](http://www.shush.ru/) is a unique place. In the open-air museum there are reconstructions of huts and farmsteads of the late XIX - early XX centuries, which recreate the living conditions of Siberian people and reflect the main occupations of the peasants. In addition to homesteads, there is a parish administration building with a prison, a village shop, a tavern and a smithy on the territory. The museum is open from 09:00 to 17:00 (visiting is from 10:00 to 16:00). Visiting the museum can only be accompanied by a guide. A ticket for adults costs 300 rubles. +7 983 155 4863 Tour organizers.
For dinner we will stop in Sayanogorsk, in the grill bar ["Toronto"](https://www.facebook.com/torontogrillbar/), one of the best restaurants in the city. Cozy atmosphere, thought-out design, good menu. In a small space there are separate areas that are better booked in advance.
Evening life in Sayanogorsk is not very turbulent, but you will definitely find something to do here after sunset. For a start, I recommend to study the poster of the Culture House ["Visit"](http://dkvizit.ru/): local artists or tour operators can brighten up your evening in a small town. If you don't like this format, pay attention to the local cinemas ["Sputnik+Cinema"](http://sayan.sputnikkino.ru/) and ["Alliance"](https://vk.com/kinopark_al). Well, I advise the tiredest to go to the hotel - tomorrow promises to be full.
On the second day, we'll drive a little more. We will visit the legendary Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power plant, visit the ancient shrine of the Khakass people, and in the afternoon we will visit the museum-reserve "Kazanovka", where we will learn all about Khakass folk life.
Isn't it time for gas? Drive to Gazprom Neft filling stations to refill the tank, install a mobile application and pay for fuel from the comfort of your car. [App Store](https://itunes.apple.com/ru/app/set-azs-gazpromneft/id502808508) [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gpn.azs)
Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP is the largest power plant in Russia by installed capacity. As Yuri Vizbor sang, "But we make missiles, we shut down the Yenisei. And also in the ballet area We are ahead of the whole planet". The same ceiling appears in all its glory from the observation deck, on which the monument to the Yenisei conquerors is installed. Beautiful nature, stormy mighty river and delightful engineering structure - you can come to this place again and again.
Before visiting the next unique landmark to rest and gain strength after a long road, we stop for lunch in the cafe "Dynasty".
Let's go see the ancient shrine of the Khakass people. Its name literally translates from Khakass as "The Great Stone Baba", in other words, "Mother of All Mothers" or "Tree of the Earth". From the middle of the last century, the shrine was located in the Abakan Museum of Local Lore. In 2003, it was returned to its historical site. Now it is in a glass yurt, which keeps the temperature constant.
Finally, we will visit one of the most amazing open-air museums in Khakassia. It is located in the foothills of Kuznetsky Alatau. The area of the museum-reserve is more than 18 thousand hectares. We will leave walks on endless steppes and rocks for a more pleasant time of year, and in the meantime we will go to study the reconstruction of the Khakas aala of XVIII-XIX centuries, where the national interior and traditions of the Khakas are fully restored. Before visiting, it is better to call [museum administration](http://kazanaal.ru/) to agree the details of the visit. Mode of operation: summer period - 10:00 - 18:00 winter period - 11:00 - 17:00 day off - Monday
If you get very hungry after the walk and don't want to wait for dinner at home, you can make a stop in Askiz. Then you'll have a straight drive home along the highway.