Elista

The city was founded in 1865, and has a population of just over 100,000.

By plane

Elista AirportFlights from Moscow are a few times a week on Rusline. There are more regular flights to Volgograd and Rostov, with transfer to Elista by bus or train respectively.

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 car

By bus

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

Mini-buses ply routes around the city.

• Golden Temple of ElistaModern Buddhist temple opened in 2005.

• Museum of Kalmyk Buddhist Art

• Museum of Local Lore

• Museum of Buddhist History

• Gallery of Fine Arts

• Kazansky Cathedral

• Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery

• The Golden Abode of the Buddha Shakyamuni

• Seven Days Pagoda

• Drama Theatre
• Puppet Theatre
• Play chess

• Kalmyk puzzle närn shanj (нәрн шанҗ)

• Uralan (Уралан)
• Khan's Hunt (Ханская Охота)
• Restaurant Concord (Конкорд)
• Cafe Kalmyk Cuisine (Калмыцкая Кухня)

Splurge

• Restaurant White Lotus

You can drink Kalmyk tea

Budget

• Hotel Elista

  phone: +7 84722 62316
  1 Gorodovikova ul.

Mid-range

• Hotel City Chess

  phone: +7 84722 58405
  Uralan district.
• White Lotus Hotel, Khoninova Str., 7

• Kalmyk Institute for Humanities Research

• Khurul Monastery - about 6 km from the city.