'''Elista''' [http://www.kalm.ru/en/elista.html] is the capital of Kalmykia.
Understand
The city was founded in 1865, and has a population of just over 100,000.
Get in
By plane
Flights from Moscow are a few times a week on Rusline. There are more regular flights to Volgograd and Rostov, with transfer to Elista by bus or train respectively.
By train
The Moscow-Elista train route goes through Stavropol. However, the most convenient way is travel to Volgograd by train then on to Elista by express minivan, which are relatively cheap.
By car
By bus
Several private companies operate a daily bus service between Moscow and Elista. The pickup point in Moscow is Luzhniki Stadium. A one-way ticket costs about 1000RUR.
Get around
Mini-buses ply routes around the city.
See
The '''Golden Temple''' - a large, modern Buddhist monastery
The '''Museum of Kalmyk Buddhist Art''' - recommended
The '''Museum of Local Lore'''
The '''Gallery of Fine Arts'''
Do
'''Drama Theater'''
'''Puppet Theater'''
'''Play Chess'''
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
'''Hotel Elista''', 1 Gorodovikova ul. Tel:''+7 84722'' 62316
Mid range
'''Hotel City Chess''', Uralan district. Tel:''+7 84722'' 58405
'''White Lotus Hotel''', Khoninova Str., 7
Splurge
Contact
Get out
'''Khurul Monastery''' - about 6 km from the city.