Best time is June to August when weather is warm (15-25°C) and sunny. Ulan-Ude is one of the sunniest cities in Russia with over 2,400 sunshine hours annually.

East shore of Baikal is about 100km away. You can rent a car, book a tour, or take a bus to Goryachinsk (3-4 hours). Most east shore tours depart from Ulan-Ude.

It's the main center of Buddhism in Russia, located 30km from Ulan-Ude. The complex has colorful temples, Buddhist university, and houses Hambo Lama Itigelov — a monk who died in 1927 and whose body remains remarkably preserved.

Try buuzy (steamed meat dumplings), Buryat milk tea with salt and butter, salamat (sour cream porridge), and bukhlyor (meat and broth dish). Buuzy restaurants are everywhere in the city.

Yes, Ulan-Ude is generally safe. It's a quiet city with low crime rates. Take standard precautions as in any city. Locals are friendly and welcoming to visitors.