Olkhon

Olkhon (in Russian Ольхон) is the largest Island on Lake Baikal in Russia. Its area is 730 sq km. Mount Zhima is the tallest point on the island at 1,276 m and 818 m above the Baikal water level. The island is large enough to have its own lakes.

The indigenous Buryats believe the island to be spiritual place. On the western coast, close to the island's administrative center Khuzhir, is Baikal's most famous landmark, the Shamanka, or Shaman's Rock. Natives believe that Burkhan lives in the cave in this rock. The rock is one of 9 Asian most Sacred Places.

During Soviet times deportees were taken to the island, especially Lithuanians after their country was occupied by the Soviets. So the island was part of the Gulag system. Many deportees perished.

Olkhon is becoming a popular tourist destination.

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