The wind sweeps across the steppe, bending tall grasses toward the earth. A distant cloud splits the horizon, as if dividing a cloudy present from a brighter future. Guide Lyudmila speaks about the daily life of Arkaim’s inhabitants and playfully teases esoteric seekers who flock to the area. Yet journalists visiting as part of the Tutu.ru Media Intelligence project were promised a chance to meet a shaman and make a wish atop Shamanka Mountain.
In the wind’s voice, among swaying grasses and under a constantly changing sky, a skeptical observer finds himself drawn into the steppe’s first-time wonder. He wants to understand why people who believe in magic call Arkaim a “place of power.”
There are two main motives for visiting. Some travelers come for Arkaim as an archaeological treasure and historical mystery. The Bronze Age settlement was uncovered in 1987 when researchers surveyed the area before the Bolshekaragan reservoir could be built. The steppe was nearly flooded, but scientists defended the site, and excavations began in 1989 under Professor Gennady Zdanovich.
Archaeologists uncovered a settlement laid out in a spiral-like design, with sunrise and sunset watch points for the Sun and Moon, wells, drainage, furnaces, and pottery. Traces of massive cart wheels suggest that chariots or wagons were used by its residents. The settlement’s lifespan appears short, from about 70 to 200 years, and why the people abandoned the site remains unknown to historians.
History enthusiasts visit Arkaim to immerse themselves in an ancient Ural landmark: to witness excavation results first-hand, to explore a museum that reconstructs Arkaim life, and to participate in a pottery-making session. Esoteric seekers arrive with a different purpose: since astrologer Tamara Globa visited in 1991 and spoke of an “energy pillar,” Arkaim has become known as an ideal spot for meditation, self-discovery, and ritual practice. A wish can be whispered atop a modest 40-meter peak named Shamanka by following stone-marked circles. When asked who created this, guide Lyudmila smiles and says, “People.”
Two hours are rarely enough to truly grasp Arkaim. A visitor opens not only the steppe, mounds, and dig sites but also one-story houses, tents, communal toilets, and a busy market of amulets and souvenirs. The experience resembles a compact, tangible transport into the past, with the atmosphere echoing the region’s mystique rather than a simple tourist route.
To some, Arkaim resembles Goa—with the steppe as the horizon’s expanse—where the grass rustles and sways in the breeze instead of waves. In summer, several travelers come to practice meditation and yoga at the Sarita Arya yoga camp within Arkaim, seeking inner clarity in a setting that rewards staying a bit longer. A curator named Maxim Lapa explains that real shifts often begin after around three weeks: even the old Arkaim bazaar’s clamor can return with a new sense of meaning for those who linger.
Those eager to explore the Southern Urals further understand that a short visit won’t cover all highlights. The region lies far from major towns, with Chelyabinsk reachable by bus in about six hours and Magnitogorsk in roughly three. The Southern Urals blend steppe, mountains, and a belt of lakes—the Chelyabinsk region is famed as the land of 3000 lakes.
One lake, Arakul, attracts visitors for its pristine waters set against a mountainous backdrop and the nearby esoteric attraction Arakul Shikhan, often regarded as a place of power. Legends tell of a girl who cried for a lover who was turned to stone, a tale woven into the landscape’s mystique.
The Arakul Shikhan ridge offers spectacular views of Lake Arakul and the Cherry Mountains. Named formations dot the rocks, including Chamberlain, Chicken, Stone Head, Tortoise, Old Woman, and Palm—each bearing its own quirky character.
Stone basins carved into the rock are a distinctive feature of Arakul Shikhan. They are believed to be remnants of ancient fire pits carved into stone, though the purpose remains uncertain.
Around Lake Arakul, ruins and sanctuaries from the Iron Age have surfaced in excavations from the 2000s. A menhir, a roughly one-meter-tall standing stone, and melted stones, animal bones, and pottery fragments testify to a long, ritual past. Accessing Arakul Shikhan can be a separate adventure: visitors can trek from the village of Arakul or join guided expeditions from Strong, sometimes using a rugged UAZ vehicle to navigate challenging terrain.
Despite its popularity with hikers and rock climbers, locals note that this natural monument of regional importance still needs more attention. Volunteers take part in keeping the area clean—for instance, in July 2022, 30 kilograms of litter were removed during a Water of Russia campaign. Local historian Elena Drozdova adds that Arakul Lake’s waters are diminishing as it remains a vital water source for Vishnevogorsk.
If Arakul seems the region’s pinnacle of beauty, do not overlook nearby Turgoyak Lake, which competes for admiration with its recreational centers, beaches, and fishing. Its centerpiece is on the island of Vera, a favorite spot for esoteric enthusiasts who arrive by yacht to visit a sanctuary that is around 6000 years old. Excavations have uncovered megaliths, stone tombs, dolmens, and menhirs, yet no housing remains, suggesting ritual use rather than permanent settlement.
Mystic gatherings are held at Vera under the cover of night, drawing those interested in the occult. Even visitors with a more grounded curiosity feel the forest’s twilight and the megaliths’ silent testimony—an echo that answers when a voice is raised toward the east-side stones. The moment you whisper a wish, you sense the land’s pull—an invitation you may resist but cannot ignore.
Beyond the legends and visual splendor, the Chelyabinsk region reveals a broader story. It is also an industrial corridor, often overshadowed by more famous routes to Altai and the Caucasus. Industrial tourism is growing here, with tours of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Plant and workshops at the AiR weapons factory, where craft experiences await. Not far from Satka, the Bolshaya Satka River hosts the Porogi hydroelectric power station, built in 1908. Although it is not widely publicized now, future concerts and exhibitions are planned there, offering a rare peek at early 20th-century machinery—including preserved German equipment from the era.
Today, the Chelyabinsk region sees a rising flow of visitors. In 2021, data from the regional cooperative agency shows more than 3.9 million travelers, up 28 percent from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Most visitors come from neighboring territories such as Bashkortostan, Kurgan, and Sverdlovsk, yet a trip from Canada or the United States is also feasible for travelers seeking a blend of archaeology, mysticism, and industrial heritage. This diversity of appeal invites curious explorers to strike a balance between the ancient world and modern industry, all within a landscape that remains vividly alive with legend and landscape alike.