Weather in Chita

About Chita

This Trans-Siberian railway junction pulses with the legacy of Decembrist political exiles who transformed a remote fort into a cultured city. Chita sprawls across the confluence of two rivers in Zabaykalsky Krai, where landscape transitions from steppe to taiga. The city holds stories of revolutionary ideals tested in exile's harsh reality.

Country

Russia

Best months to visit

June, July

Currency

RUB

Language

Russian

Things to do in Chita

Visit the Decembrist Museum documenting political exile history Tour the Cathedral of the Transfiguration with its golden domes Hike in the surrounding Zabaykalsky hills and valleys Explore the local museum with archaeological artifacts Walk along the Ingoda River during sunset Attend cultural performances at the Drama Theatre

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-16C

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

February

-10C

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

March

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

April

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

May

17C

Cool, with occasional showers.

Recommended

June

23C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

July

25C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

August

22C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

September

15C

Cool, with occasional showers.

October

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

November

-5C

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

December

-14C

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

Chita is a Trans-Siberian railway city in Russia's Zabaykalsky Krai, historically known as a place of exile for the Decembrists, the 19th-century officers who revolted against the tsar. Far less visited than Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude, it offers a quieter look at Siberian frontier life, with wooden architecture, a small Decembrist museum, and a region steeped in Cossack and Buryat history.

Best areas to stay in Chita

City Centre

The historic core with Soviet-era buildings and the main railway station.

Decembrist Museum District

Home to the museum and church associated with the exiled Decembrist officers.

Kenon Lake

A lake on the city's edge popular with locals for walks and picnics in summer.

Old Wooden Quarters

Surviving pockets of traditional Siberian wooden houses near the centre.

Getting to Chita

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Flights

Fly to Kadala Airport (HTA) in Chita, usually connecting via Moscow from the UK, or arrive by Trans-Siberian train.

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From London

~13-15 hours total from London depending on connections

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Getting around

Buses and trams cover the city centre; the railway station is the main hub for onward Trans-Siberian travel.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Chita?

Summer (June to August) offers the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the city; winters are extremely cold and long.

How do I get to Chita?

Chita is a stop on the Trans-Siberian railway and also has its own airport with connections via Moscow.

What is Chita known for?

Its Decembrist history, with a museum dedicated to the exiled 19th-century reformers, and its position as a remote Trans-Siberian stop in eastern Siberia.

Is Chita worth a stop on a Trans-Siberian trip?

It appeals to travellers wanting an off-the-beaten-path stop with genuine local life rather than tourist infrastructure.

What language is spoken in Chita?

Russian is the only widely spoken language; English is very limited outside major hotels.

Traveler reviews

★★★☆☆

Chita is very much off the typical tourist trail, but the Decembrist museum was genuinely interesting and the city felt authentically Siberian without any pretence for visitors.

Vadim S. · August 2024

★★★★☆

Broke up a long Trans-Siberian journey here, Kenon Lake was a nice surprise for an evening walk. Limited English but people were helpful.

Laura M. · July 2023

★★★☆☆

Not much to do for more than a day, but worth it for the history if you're interested in the Decembrists and Siberian exile.

Igor N. · June 2024