Exploring Yakutsk - The Coldest City on Earth

In this video I'll show you around Yakutsk - the coldest major city in the world situated in Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, Russia. The coldest temperature that has ever been recorded in Yakutsk was -64,4°C (in 1891) but frosts reaching -50°C and -55°C would certainly not be a special occasion for local residents. I was curious what was it like to live in such freezing environment and went to Yakutsk to see how people live and how things work in the coldest city in the world. I tried to show you that life could be different for different layers of society so I didn't mind visiting local "ghetto" where people had to survive without a stable heating system and go to the outdoor toilets.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - Warm blankets for cars (Natasha)
03:10 - Exploring the old town and the city center
04:54 - Filming issues during freezing frost
05:38 - Yakut (Sakha) language
06:05 - Permafrost protection. Pipelines above the ground.
06:43 - Avoiding sanctions in Yakutsk. Visiting local KFC.
07:40 - Modern architecture in Yakutsk
08:43 - Open air market in Yakutsk
09:15 - Grocery prices in Yakutsk. How expensive is the coldest city in the world?
12:34 - Gasoline prices in Yakutsk
12:50 - Inside permafrost
14:28 - Horrible living conditions in collapsing wooden barracks (Yakutsk ghetto). Interviewing a local who has no heated bathroom.
18:29 - Mammoth museum of North-Eastern Federal University
19:56 - What do people eat in the coldest city in the world? Having a dinner in Yakutsk. Yakut national cuisines.
22:24 - How does Yakut (Sakha) language sound? Visiting a house of international friendship.
23:29 - Outro

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[OriginalBongoliath]

It is great to see what Russia is like from the perspective of an actual Russian who speaks the language fluently and native to the culture vs. foreign vloggers who go around Russia. A completely different vibe yet holistic one.

[cherryjee]

Привет из Якутска! Даже не знала, что Якутия привлекает много блогеров и интересна людям. Рада, что больше людей узнают про нашу родину :)

[HansGruberX]

11:47 The Woman in the Car waving at you 👋😊 so nice

[Tim_Hilux]

The lowest temperature recorded in Yakutsk was −64.4 °C (−83.9 °F) on 5 February 1891 and the highest temperatures +38.4 °C (101.1 °F) on 17 July 2011. Wild temperature differences!

[hills]

Watching from Australia, i cannot imagine living in such a cold climate.

[jovancvetojevic]

I love the fact that now you can afford some nice meals and try local cousin.
I always felt bad watching you eat instant noodles every video.
Glad that channel and income is growing.
Greetings from Serbia

[annarobinson]

I like this video. I’m from El Salvador, CA In my DNA I have desend of Yakkut ❤That is unbelievable, but true❤

[WhosAfraidofErikNordingII]

I live in a city in Northern Canada which has brutally cold winters - the lowest recorded temperature is -53.3 oC and I have myself experienced -45oC - and can tell those who have never experienced it that you can become accustomed to such temperatures, though precautions must be taken when it hits the -40 range. We dont use 'Natasha's' here in Northern Canada, rather people generally leave their cars in heated garages or, if they are forced to leave their vehicle outside, have their engines plugged into an electrical outlet via a long cord leading to your house to keep their engines warm ... though it does not always work.

[clairewyndham]

I have been gone from the bitter bitter cold like this for 50 years, but I can still "smell" the winter and the snow squeaks when you walk on it..The air actually feels so different.

[HiwasseeRiver]

I could tell that you were at -40 due to the squeaking sound when you walk. The coldest I've ever experienced was -66.7F(-55C) At that temperature the electronic thermometer died. I worked about 120 miles east of Fairbanks. The Yakutsk groceries were less expensive compared to Alaska. We did not blanket our vehicles, we used electric outlets to power engine block heaters. Driving from Fairbanks for hours would lead to frozen groceries even if the heat was on full in an F-250 truck. We were told several myths about how cars were warmed in Russia, thank you for these cold region videos. Final thought - I've seen an outhouse in Alaska on the spring day when all the yellow snow and ice melted. It was not a pleasant sight or smell.

[alvarezgamers]

Place looks so cool. No pun intended 😂

[stnkuij]

I am fascinated by Yakutia and have watched many, many YouTube videos from there but your unique perspective showed me lots of things I have not seen before! It was interesting but saddening to see the condition of the municipal housing. This video quality is very nice and crisp. Greetings from Ireland.

[MausTheGerman]

Another fantastic video 😀
Thank you so much from Germany 🇩🇪

[williamweiss]

Over the years, I've found I prefer mittens over gloves. I watch several traveller channels. I prefer yours because you give a brief history as you go. Good luck, safe travels. Enjoying from Idaho.

[abbeystump]

Great video.Everyone should visit Yakutsk in winter. I just spent New Years in Oymyakon -57c and tried horse steak and blood sausage in that restaurant. Sunny days with dry cold is a great feeling...

[mka]

15:25 The way packed snow squeaks and "rings" under the older man's shoes made me smile. That sound can't be heard unless it's really cold. Below -30C, as is the case here :)

[KahluaBomb]

I was having a really shitty day and then a new Vagabond video came up. Turned the day right around for me! As always, your work is awesome, I love getting the opportunity to explore far off reaches with you as a guide. I also really appreciate how you speak with locals and find out what the situation is like, it's much needed in this day and age. Keep being awesome man!

[thetravelinghat]

I am really impressed with the fact they have an LED wall! I can't imagine the cost it took to get it transported and built there vs Western Russia.

[keepmovn]

Thank you so much for sharing. Keep uploading. I like your unusual travel destination and style.

[ooen]

Yakutsk is magical for every adventurous western soul. I have a lot of respect for all its' permanent residents! Human resilience in some of nature's most extreme conditions!