The most northern buddhist temple in the world is situated on a busy highway flanked on both sides by cars. Inside however, it's remarkably calm and welcoming. Built in the early days of the twentieth century by monks from Buryatia in Far Eastern Siberia, the first worship took place on 21 February 1913. During the Soviet years, the monks endured persecution and exile and the temple was vandalised. In 1938 it was turned into a youth centre. Throughout the war years and until 1960, the temple housed a radio station. The building was restored to the city's buddhists in 1990. Today you can enjoy a basic meal in the basement cafe and sit and meditate inside the quaint temple.
