How was your day in Yakutsk, the coldest city in the world?

Located about 450 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, Yakutsk is located in Russia. It is the coldest city in the world, where temperatures reach -80°C in extreme winters. Every moment in Yakutsk is a race against the cold. We are here to visit a friend and tell you how people survive in such cold conditions.

Prepare before stepping out

It takes preparation to step out of your house. If you walk outside for more than 10 minutes, you will lose sensation in your face, such as your nose. Because exposed parts of the body, especially the nose, freeze first. And the skin will also start to turn white, which is the first sign of frostbite.

So, it is important to prepare before stepping out. When you step out, the icy air hits your lungs like a shock, making it difficult to breathe. The cold, dry air irritates your windpipe, and the thick cold feels heavier with every breath.

In Yakutsk you need several layers of special winter clothing along with a warm jacket. It is better to wear a good camel wool jacket from head to toe with warm socks. I wore insulated padded trousers and a light jacket under my down jacket.

In Yakutsk, the infrastructure is built to withstand extreme cold, with buildings, roads, etc. suited to temperatures below -80°C. The roads require constant maintenance to keep them usable.

Buses in Yakutsk are usually well-heated which makes them the lifeline of the city, especially during harsh winters when driving a car becomes a challenge. Without the buses, the city would be desolate.

Driving here is difficult due to slippery conditions and the need for insulation and winter tires, and car maintenance is challenging, so it is best to use public transportation such as buses.

when we went to our friend’s apartment building. The entire building was protected with roofing felt walls to keep out the cold. And the doors were double-thick and filled. It’s perfectly normal here to have two or three doors to keep the cold out. Most apartments have 24/7 central heating to stay warm.

In **Yakutsk** buses are lifeline of the city

Despite its small population, Yakutsk has small malls, cinemas, and theaters. Shopping here is a very different experience than in the bigger cities. There are no big malls with lots of brands like in central Russia.

But the small malls are great. Every building is heated so people can leave their heavy jackets and walk around inside comfortably. Malls are like social centres in Yakutsk, where people gather not just to shop but to escape the cold and spend time together. With limited outdoor activities during the winter, they are a place to meet friends, enjoy a warm meal, or let the kids play while staying out of the cold weather.

Local malls are small but enough for this city

Another unique shopping experience in Yakutsk is the local fur brands. Yakutia has been a centre of fur exports for centuries. During the Russian Empire, high-quality furs such as sable, mink, and fox were sold across Europe, mostly coming from Yakutia. Known as ‘soft gold,’ these furs were prized for their luxury and durability. Women here often buy fur coats, as they are not just a luxury but a necessity.

Instead, there are local jewellery brands, as Yakutsk is the world’s largest diamond mining region. Despite this, diamonds and jewellery are very popular among the locals, most of which are made of silver and gold.

The price of a fur coat starts at $5,000 ( ₹4,20,000) and can go up to $15,000 (₹12,80,000)for a sable coat. But of course, with such high prices, not everyone in Yakutia can afford it. Many women save for years to buy it.

But when we saw the children, we found that they were tolerating the cold easily. Maybe when you are a child, you don’t feel the cold as much or you don’t take it as seriously as you do when you grow up.

Kids are playing in this cold weather, I am freezing

Here many children play outside even in -50°C, which is a very courageous thing. We took out the camera to take their photo, but it was so cold in Yakutsk that if you took a photo with your camera, the camera would freeze within 10 minutes, so you had to wrap your phone or camera in warm clothes.

Yakutsk is a relatively small city, with a population of about 400,000 people. Despite its size, it is the cultural and economic centre of the region. The central areas of the city are more developed, with government buildings, shopping malls, schools, and cultural sites such as theatres and museums. Life here is more busy and modern than in the outskirts.

But let me show you other parts of the city too! Like any city, Yakutsk also has less safe neighborhoods. These neighbourhoods are often on the edge of the city, where the infrastructure is less developed and living conditions can be quite difficult.

Historically, much of Yakutsk was made up of wooden two-story flats that were spread throughout the city. Many of these old wooden flats still exist on the outskirts of the city, and people continue to live there because they cannot afford to move into the new stone apartment buildings.

Life in these wooden flats is incredibly challenging. Most do not have modern plumbing, so there are no showers or toilets inside. Residents use public toilets outside, and during the winter, when temperatures drop to –50°C, it can be brutal.

Many rely on using buckets for their bathroom needs. Cold air seeps in through windows and walls, making it difficult to stay warm even indoors. Residents have to rely on extra layers of clothing and blankets to stay comfortable during the harsh winters.

Old town near the city and its getting dark

This neighbourhood is considered one of the most dangerous in Yakutsk. It is better not to walk alone here after dark, as you may find drunk people roaming the streets. However, it is important to remember that not everyone here is like this. Many residents are hard-working people who cannot afford to move to a newer, more comfortable place.

Instead, let’s walk to the safer streets of Yakutsk, where most young people spend their weekends and where locals go to have fun. This street is the new version of the old town, with a beautiful church at its center. It mixes modern shops and restaurants with a touch of Yakutsk’s history, making it a favourite spot for locals. In Yakutia, the only real way to have fun during the winter months is to stay indoors.

Most locals spend their time in restaurants, cafes, or malls, as these warm places are perfect for relaxing, meeting friends, and staying active. Dating and socialising in Yakutsk usually take place in restaurants and nightclubs, which are the main places to meet during the long winter.

dressed up women’s at Bar and night clubs

Despite the harsh weather, people here love to dress up. Women especially take pride in taking care of themselves and dressing elegantly, no matter how bad the conditions outside. Drinking alcohol is especially dangerous in Yakutsk as it numbs your senses, making it difficult to feel the cold.

Sadly, there have been many tragic incidents where people fell asleep outside after drinking too much alcohol and died from the cold. This is especially true during New Year celebrations when temperatures are at their lowest, and people spend more time partying and drinking.

I had a wonderful day in the coldest city in the world.