Experience Life in the Coldest Village on Earth, Oymyakon, Russia

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Despite harsh temperatures below -45°C, 500 residents in Oymyakon, Russia, have made it their permanent home, turning it into a popular tourist destination.

Experience Life in the Coldest Village on Earth, Oymyakon, Russia

Oymyakon, a small village in northeastern Russia, is known as the coldest inhabited place on Earth. With average winter temperatures below -45°C, its record low of -71.2°C was recorded in February 1933.

Despite its freezing temperatures, Oymyakon's name actually means “unfrozen water” due to a hot spring that never freezes over.

Before the 1920s, Oymyakon was a stopover for reindeer herders. However, the Soviet government resettled these nomadic tribes and transformed the area into a permanent settlement.

Today, besides Russians, there are many other ethnic minorities living in Oymyakon. Despite the harsh weather, the village is home to over 500 people. Recently, a hotel has been built, but it lacks hot water and indoor plumbing.

With such low temperatures, planes cannot land in the winter, and tourists have to endure a 2-day drive from the city of Yakutsk, which is 927km away.

In winter, it's dark outside until 9 p.m. every day, with streetlights covered in snow, and few people venture out. The scenery at this time looks extremely cold and desolate.

Residents have to use many tricks to cope with the harsh weather conditions. Most households here use outdoor toilets, as indoor water pipes can freeze and cause blockages.

Cars are kept running 24/7 in the 'garage' because they fear they won't be able to start them again. Even if there is insurance for phones that don't work in this weather, they are willing to buy it.

Burials here can also take several days. They have to thaw the ground with a large fire before digging a hole to place the coffin in.

Fur coats may be considered luxurious in many countries, but in Oymyakon, they are the only way to keep warm.

In terms of food, crops cannot grow on frozen ground, so people only grow a few vegetables in the short summer. Therefore, the diet of the people here is mainly reindeer meat, horse meat, and frozen fish.

They use animal milk to supplement the necessary nutrients for the body. Frozen horse blood and frozen fish with noodles are among the specialties here.

In Western countries, heavy snow can lead to schools being closed for many days, but schools in Oymyakon only close when the temperature drops below -52°C.

In addition, people face a range of difficulties in harsh weather conditions such as ink freezing, batteries draining faster, metal sticking to the skin, cars not starting without a warm fire nearby...

Power plants often struggle to operate for many hours...

Still Attracting Adventurous Travelers

While there aren't many activities to experience in Oymyakon, tour companies still organize tours for visitors to explore the village in the middle of winter. It's simply because they want to know what life is really like in the coldest place on Earth.

These tours will take visitors to local farms and museums, experience ice fishing, reindeer hunting, and especially immerse themselves in the Oymyakon hot spring while the outdoor temperature drops to tens of degrees below zero Celsius.

Not only new visitors experience the activities of plunging into cold water, but also the old, young, men, and women in the village do this to avoid disease more effectively.

Information for You

- Travelers must fly from Moscow to Yakutsk, then take a car to the village of Oymyakon, which is 927km away.

- Additionally, you can travel on the 'The road of bones' route - a railway route to Tommot, about 400m from the city of Yakutsk.

From Tuoitre.vn

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour

MytourNovember 27, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Oymyakon, Russia, the coldest inhabited place on Earth?

Oymyakon holds the title of the coldest inhabited place on Earth due to its average winter temperatures that drop below -45°C. The record low reached -71.2°C in February 1933. The village’s name means 'unfrozen water,' thanks to a hot spring that never freezes, providing a unique contrast to its extreme cold.

How do residents of Oymyakon cope with extreme cold temperatures?

Residents of Oymyakon use various methods to cope with the extreme cold. For example, they keep their cars running 24/7 to prevent them from freezing, use outdoor toilets due to indoor plumbing issues, and rely on fur coats as essential warm clothing. Additionally, they must thaw the ground with fire for burials, showcasing their adaptation to harsh conditions.

What activities can tourists experience while visiting Oymyakon?

Tourists visiting Oymyakon can engage in various activities despite the harsh climate. These include ice fishing, reindeer hunting, and experiencing the local hot spring. Tour companies offer tours to local farms and museums, allowing visitors to understand the unique lifestyle in the coldest village on Earth.

How do the residents of Oymyakon obtain their food in such harsh conditions?

In Oymyakon, residents primarily rely on reindeer meat, horse meat, and frozen fish for sustenance, as the frozen ground limits agricultural production. They do grow a few vegetables during the short summer and supplement their diet with animal milk to meet nutritional needs.

What transportation challenges do tourists face when traveling to Oymyakon?

Tourists face significant transportation challenges when traveling to Oymyakon. They must first fly from Moscow to Yakutsk and then endure a two-day drive covering 927 kilometers to reach the village. Additionally, planes cannot land during winter due to extreme cold, complicating travel logistics.

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