Lake Baikal, a rift lake located in southern Siberia, is truly a sight to see. It is the world's largest lake by volume, as well as the deepest and oldest lake on Earth. Proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, it also serves as a home to thousands of species of plants and animals, many of which are unique to that region. It is small wonder that the lake became a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, and this gallery allows you to glimpse the sights you may see should you choose to visit that place.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Smirnov / Go to the mediabankA view of the Maloye More (Small Sea) Strait from Olkhon Island.

A view of the Maloye More (Small Sea) Strait from Olkhon Island.

A ship navigates Lake Baikal near the Olkhon island.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Smirnov / Go to the mediabankThe night sky at the bay of Sagan-Zaba, Lake Baikal.

The night sky at the bay of Sagan-Zaba, Lake Baikal.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThe River Osinovka in the Baikal National Reserve.

The River Osinovka in the Baikal National Reserve.
© Sputnik / Alexey Kudenko / Go to the mediabankLake Baikal near the town of Listvyanka, seen during winter.

Lake Baikal near the town of Listvyanka, seen during winter.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Smirnov / Go to the mediabankStorm clouds hang over an ice reef on Lake Baikal.

Storm clouds hang over an ice reef on Lake Baikal.
© Sputnik / Iliya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankShaman Valentin Hagdayev stands atop a rocky outcropping at the coast of Lake Baikal.

Shaman Valentin Hagdayev stands atop a rocky outcropping at the coast of Lake Baikal.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov / Go to the mediabankVolunteers of the Lake Baikal shore service collect garbage along the coastline.

Volunteers of the Lake Baikal shore service collect garbage along the coastline.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Smirnov / Go to the mediabankThe valley of the River Anga in Tazheranskaya Steppe, an ancient nature reserve in the Irkutsk region.

The valley of the River Anga in Tazheranskaya Steppe, an ancient nature reserve in the Irkutsk region.

A visitor takes a little break on Olkhon island.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Smirnov / Go to the mediabankCape Khoboy (the northern part of the Olkhon Island), Cape Ryty (left) and the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula (right). A view of the northern part of Lake Baikal.

Cape Khoboy (the northern part of the Olkhon Island), Cape Ryty (left) and the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula (right). A view of the northern part of Lake Baikal.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Smirnov / Go to the mediabankA seal poking his head through some broken ice on Lake Baikal.

A seal poking his head through some broken ice on Lake Baikal.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Smirnov / Go to the mediabankThe Maloye Morye (Small Sea) strait on Lake Baikal.

The Maloye Morye (Small Sea) strait on Lake Baikal.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Smirnov / Go to the mediabankSunset over the Irkutsk - Maloye Morye (Small Sea) Fishing Station route near Lake Baikal.

Sunset over the Irkutsk - Maloye Morye (Small Sea) Fishing Station route near Lake Baikal.