Filming and location scouting in Russian Krasnoyarsk Krai
Krasnoyarsk Krai is Russia’s second-biggest region. It has everything you expect to see in Siberia, including total wilderness, bears, and whole cities living in permafrost.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Geography and Weather
The region stretches 3,000 km (1,800 miles) from the deep-frozen coast of the Arctic Ocean in the extreme north to vast fertile plains in the south. Yenisei, one of the world’s biggest rivers both in length and discharge, crosses all the region.
The climate ranges from arctic to continental. In the north, the average temperature is -36˚C (-33˚F) in January and +10˚C (50˚F) in July. The south is much more pleasant, with the January average of -18˚C (0˚F) and +20˚C (68˚F) in July.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Nature
Taiga forest, dominated by coniferous trees, occupies 70% of the region. Vast areas are practically untouched by humans. There are huge populations of wild animals, including deer, polar and brown bears and rare species like snow leopards.
Krasnoyarsk Region: History
The first Russians discovered the region only in the 17th century. Prior to that, the vast steppes of the southern Krasnoyarsk Region have been populated by nomadic nations, including the ancestors of the Kyrgyzs. They even formed powerful states.
In the times of the Russian Empire, the authorities used to send political prisoners to the region as a punishment. Lenin and Stalin have spent years in exile in the Krasnoyarsk Region. In the Soviet times, the area became heavily industrialized. Huge hydroelectric stations and military plants have been built.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Cities
Krasnoyarsk is the capital and the biggest city of the region, with about 1 million population. Other notable cities include Norilsk, the world’s biggest city within the Arctic Circle and the restricted-access towns of Zheleznogorsk and Zelenogorsk that store and recycle nuclear fuel.
Krasnoyarsk Region: How to Get
Krasnoyarsk is located 4,200 km east of Moscow. Multiple daily flights connect the two cities. The flight takes about 5 hours. It’s also possible to fly to Krasnoyarsk from Beijing, Bangkok and Central Asian nations. Cities across the region and Siberia are connected with internal flights.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Population
The huge area of Krasnoyarsk Region is populated by only 2.8 million people. The vast majority of them live in the south. Nine out of ten people are Russian. There are only a few thousands of indigenous peoples like Dolgans and Evenks left. Some of them still live a traditional lifestyle.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Interesting Facts
- The mysterious 1908 Tunguska Event took place in the Krasnoyarsk Region. Explanations range from meteors to UFOs and Nikola Tesla’s experiments;
- Werner Herzog’s 2010 documentary Happy People: A Year in the Taiga about a community living a traditional lifestyle was shot in the Krasnoyarsk Region;
- The area is extremely rich in resources, especially nickel, cobalt and coal. Also, 95% of Russia’s platinum is deposited there;
- The closed city of Zheleznogorsk has a unique plant that stores and recycles nuclear waste. It’s located 200 meters (650 ft) underground within a mountain;
- Some of the most powerful hydropower dams are located in the region;
- Krasnoyarsk will host the 2019 Winter Universiade.

River in Evenkiya, North of Krasnoyarsk Region

Kochechum river

Mountain lake in the tundra

Lake in tundra near Norilsk

Mountains near Norilsk

Putorana Plateau near Norisk

Norilsk
The biggest city within the Arctic Circle

Norilsk at night

Norisk
Norilsk is one of the world's most polluted cities

Norilsk
Norilsk has a harsh winter that lasts from September to May. It's also extremely windy.

Forrest, killed by pollution near Norilsk

Krasnoyarsk
The bridge over Yenisey

Krasnoyarsk
The brodge over Yenisei

Krasnoyarsk
Bridge over Yenisei in the winter

Krasnoyarsk
View at night

Krasnoyarsk
Business center in central Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk in cloudy weather

Krasnoyarsk
Railway station

Krasnoyarsk
Opera and Ballet Theater

Krasnoyarsk
Typical view in the winter

Stolby (The Pillars) National Natural Reserve
Stolby, located near Krasnoyarsk, is a park with unique rock formations and wild nature.

Stolby
Winter view

Stolby

Stolby

Paraskeva Friday Church
A XIX-century wooden church within an hour from Krasnoyarsk

Hydro power plant
Summer view

Siberian village
Typical view

Sunset in the winter
In the winter, trees get completely covered in snow

Zelenogorsk in snowy weather