Yakutsk, the capital of Yakutia (Sakha Republic) in the Russian Far East, is known as the world's coldest city. With a population of about 355,000, most residents work in diamond mines.

Winter in Yakutsk brings biting cold and minimal sunlight; January sees less than four hours of daylight daily. Temperatures routinely drop to -45 degrees C from early December. The city's record low of -64.4 degrees C was documented on 5/2/1891.

Despite the extreme cold, daily life in this Far Eastern city proceeds as usual, with the exception of school closures during the coldest periods.

To withstand the cold, residents wear up to 10 kg of clothing, a detail shared by Instagram account @awareness_of_success, creator of a video about Yakutsk. Local diets primarily feature meat and fish, as growing vegetables is challenging in the frigid climate.

Local YouTuber Kiun B emphasizes that layering clothes is essential for survival in the freezing weather. She notes that knees are particularly vulnerable to frostbite in extreme cold.

Kiun's sister, Dayana, demonstrates this daily routine by showing her layered attire: a turtleneck, leggings, a zip-up fleece, and thick cotton pants. She completes her outfit with traditional Yakut boots, crafted from reindeer hide, to ensure warm feet.

Women in Yakutia typically adopt one of two styles for outdoor wear. Some opt for elaborate mink or fox fur coats. Others choose a more casual approach, favoring simple thermal puffer jackets, which are both warm and significantly more affordable than fur.

Prospekt Lenina Avenue in Yakutsk. Photo: Tripadvisor

Dayana's fur coat costs 3,000 USD, while a puffer jacket is around 500 USD. She also wears a 300 USD Arctic fox fur hat, as wool hats offer insufficient warmth for the local winter. Beyond head coverings, residents typically wear traditional beaded gloves and mask their entire faces. "Otherwise, exposed skin is highly susceptible to frostbite," Kiun states.

In winter, outdoor market stalls do not require freezers for food preservation; the ambient temperature provides sufficient cold storage.

Residents often cover their faces when out in winter. Photo: China daily

Extreme cold necessitates residents frequently leave cars idling or covered with tarps to prevent freezing. Yet, Yakutsk's weather "surprisingly warms up in summer," according to many visitors, with July's average temperatures reaching 26 degrees C.

Travelers can reach Yakutsk via a direct seven-hour flight from Moscow; purchasing a round-trip ticket is the most economical option. Yakutsk International Airport (Tuymaada) is located 7 km from the city center.

By Anh Minh (According to DM, Aeroflot)