• The pray drum
• The buddhist temple
• The international scientific centre "Hoomei"
• The national Tuvinian theatre
• The centre of Asia
• Shaman clinics
• Nomads monument
• Arat Square

The pray drum

The pray drum was made by Gyudmed monks using donation money of Tuva Buddhists and installed on the central square of the city. A copper frame of the drum, which weight is more than 100 kg was sent to Tuva from India. The drum itself was made in Nepal. There is 100 million of mantras inside it.  The Buddhist doctrine says that if you spin the pray drum only 1 time and your thoughts are clear at that moment, it will be equal to reading 100 million mantras. Spinning the pray drum also releases you from failure, illnesses and reincarnation in low worlds.

The buddhist temple

A new temple worked out by Fan Chen Ir architect quickly became one of the main sightseeing places in Kyzyl. It was built in a very short period of time. On the 17 ^th of February the president of Tuva laid the first stone of the temple and in October 1999 it was consecrated by Bogdo-Gegen IX. A great contribution to the temple's construction was made by different sponsors, including "Vodokanal" staff who did some work for free and Sergey Shoigu who donated 15 000 dollars. There is a residence of Dalai-Lama XIV representatives on the first floor. A beautiful marble stair leads to the second floor where a pray hall, an altar, pictures of Buddha and Dalai-Lama XIV are situated. The temple harmoniously combines orient architecture traditions and modern construction technologies.

The international scientific centre "Hoomei"

The international scientific centre "Hoomei" is a research institution which specializes on throat singing studies.

Here are the main aims and tasks of the centre:

• To preserve and develop traditional culture of tuvinian throat singing horekteer.
• Scientific research organization to find and study throat singing of Sayan-Altai plateau nations.
• Making an archive of horekteer records and their analysis.
• Listening and teaching young singers, including foreign singers.
• Participation in international contests of world music culture. Organization of international symposiums, seminars, conferences and festivals of tuvinian throat singing.
• International scientific links development.
• Social protection of the singers.

The national Tuvinian theatre

In 1935 the government of Tuva republic made a decision to open a national Tuvinian theatre. In the beginning of 1936 a national theatre studio was opened in Kyzyl. On the 25 ^th of March the actors show their first big performance. This day is considered to be the day of foundation. After Tuva had joined USSR in 1944 this theatre became one of the soviet theatres. Nowadays it is a national Tuvinian theatre of Russia.

In 1986 the theatre was awarded with an order "The sign of fame". In 2000 it was called "The theatre of the year" by the newspaper "Culture" and was given a gold medal of D. Lihachev.

There are 6 dynasties of actors now working in the theatre. All of them have graduated from musical and theatre institutions of Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Kyzyl.

The repertoire includes masterpieces of world, Russian and tuvinian classics. The artistic development of the theatre meets the requirements of contemporary spectators. The theatre promotes Tuva, ethic values, return to spiritual and mythological inheritance of the nation, connection with modern and classic drama literature.

The centre of Asia

This monument which is situated in the central part of Kyzyl on the bank of the river Yenisei, was built in 1964. The present day monument has a predecessor - in 1890ies an English traveler saw a stone pillar which symbolized the centre of Asia in Saldam. Saldam is situated 25 km far from the place where Kaa-Khem joins Biy-Khem.

Later this pillar was moved to Kyzyl, but unfortunately we cannot see it today as it was washed away by flood.

In 1964 the present monument "The centre of Asia" was built. In 1984 the monument was reconstructed according to the project of Kuular architect. It was lifted to the podium and decorated by granite.

Shaman clinics

Shaman clinics appeared only in the 20 ^th century. In early times a shaman always worked alone and represented only his family. Nowadays shamans try to keep together. It happens because shamanic traditions were almost destroyed during the Soviet period and the majority of local people moved to the cities. So the patrimonial society structure looses its importance.

Now there are 4 shaman clinics working in Tuva republic. One of these clinics is situated in Kyzyl on the Red partisans street. This small building attracts your attention by two yurts and a sacred place ovaa which are situated in front of it. The clinic is named "The central religious shaman organization of Tuva republic". The head of the clinic is a hereditary shaman Ai-Churek Oyun. She is considered to be one of the most powerful shamans in Tuva. There are 7 shamans working in the clinic. Everybody who wants can visit any of these shamans to know his future, health and to pass a ritual of purification.

Shamans heal their patients by means of throat singing and natural energy. They also use herbs and trees. They also combine different healing tactics: massage, aromatherapy, herbal healing, iridology, inner human rhythms correction. But the main component of all rituals is psychotherapy.

Kadarchy (Nomads) monument

The monument is situated on the hill near the airport, not far from the mineral spring "Tos-Bulak" . This monument was erected in 1997 according to the project of a tuvinian sculptor T. Ondar. It represents a shepherd in a national costume with a knife. He looks at the endless steppe symbolizing traditional tuvinian way of life. There are white stones which surround the hill. They symbolize sheep and give a logical final to the whole composition. There is an asphalted road leading to the monument. Tourists usually go to the top of the hill to take photos with a shepherd.

Arat Square