The settlement of Arshan is situated at 250km from Irkutsk, on the territory of the republic of Buryatia, at the foot of the Eastern Sayans at a high of 890m above the sea level.

Arshan is known, mostly, for its springs, that were discovered in the 60th of the 19th century by local hunters. In 1920, Arshan became a resort of the federal importance, and in 1928, there were built first buildings with pool-baths.

These springs water is similar to famous mineral water “Narzan” of Kislovodsk town (hydropathic resort in the south of Russia), and it is intended for curing the gastrointestinal system, liver, cardiovascular system. The water temperature of the springs is +11˚C - + 45˚C.

The clear mountain ionized air, spectacular sorroundings as well as a great number of sunny days (a number of solar activity hours is more than 2000 a year) contribute a lot to successful treatment there.  The resort is enclosed from the three sides by the mountains of 2000-2900m. The mountain foots are covered with mixed forest that alternate with cedar elfin wood, meadows and tundra uphill.

Following a good path, one can get across the resort park that gradually passes into wild forest, scale within the gorge along the rough mountain river Kyngarga (from the buryat language – “drum”). At a distance of 1km from the resort up to the river a big waterfall of 5-6m height is located there. Directly in front of the waterfall a high reliable bridge, from which one can make many impressive pictures, is built across the river. In order to see the second waterfall, it is needed to continue walking up to the river by a poor rocky trail. Especially wonderful aspect the waterfalls have in the winter, when they turn into icefalls. A rash water stream going down is seen through the thick pure ice sheet. Thin streams flowing down from the canyon walls form numerous impressive ice crusts during the winter, upon which the traditional competitions on ice climbing are being held.

Exactly after the settlement of Arshan a trail has got its beginning that takes you to the peak of Love (“Peak Lyubvi”) at 2144m. It takes 3-5 hours to get there. From the peak’s view point a fascinating view of the Tunkinsky Alpes and Tunkinskaya valley as well opens for you.

Within Tunkinskaya valley, at 10-12km from the resort of Arshan, a great number of conical hills are presented, among them Talsky mount is distinguished. They are real volcanic peaks that have got down under the influence of the Earth’s crust tectonic movements. On the peaks of these hills one can visit craters that exhale warm air in the winter, collect real volcanic pumice and admire an amazing view of the Tunkinskiy range.

South-west, at a distance of 10km from Arsham, Kaymorskie lakes rich in fish and water fowl are located there.

At 22km south - eastwards from Arshan, in the upstream of the river Hobok, at a height of 1000m above the sea level, the lake Hoboksky is situated. The lake is in the bowled crater, rounded by mountains and virgin taiga.

While having a rest in Arshan, one can visit a Buddhist datsan (church) Bodhidharma that is located at 1km westwards across the bridge of the Kyngarga River. The datsan “Bodhidharma” holds church service according to the Buddhist canon. There one have a possibility to buy various Indian medicines along with the medicines made of local materials, to order a public prayer. The datsan is usually visited by the excursion groups.

The Leader of this datsan is Dashi-lama Shirlakhaev now.