Visiting the Coldest City in the World −71°C (−95°F) | Yakutia, Siberia

Extreme Cold & Survival Context (Yakutsk, Siberia)

The video presents Yakutsk as one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, describing temperatures that can drop to around −71°C (−95°F).

The creator also emphasizes that getting there is difficult, not just because of the cold—travel is affected by:

• Disruptions due to the war in Ukraine
• Russia sanctions, which can prevent use of common payment methods like Visa/Mastercard/Apple Pay

Travel / Logistics Challenges

• The trip was postponed twice due to changing conditions.
• Limited banking access in Russia meant the traveler needed to bring enough physical cash.
• The journey route described includes departing from Portugal, then stopping in Istanbul, going through Moscow, and finally reaching Yakutsk.

Daily Life in Subzero Weather (What’s Different)

Many surfaces and building exteriors are described as staying frozen, requiring constant preparation.

Orthodox church routine

• Cars are left running during services.
• The reason: turning off the engine risks it becoming hard or impossible to restart if oil freezes.

Vehicle radiator protection

• Parked cars use thick protective covers, described as “Natasha” covers, to keep engines/radiators from freezing.

Heated garages and shelters

• Some vehicles are kept in heated garages.
• There are heated bus stops and indoor waiting areas so people don’t have to stand outside in the cold.

Health & Safety Realities (Risk Management)

The creator stresses cold-related hazards, including:

• Frostbite risk if cold penetrates exposed skin
  • Can lead to permanent loss of fingers/limbs
• Symptoms tied to circulation and exposure:
  • Numb hands
  • Heavy legs
  • Cold-induced headaches

A key takeaway from the creator’s experience:

Even with gloves, being outside briefly can cause loss of feeling and worsening symptoms.

What to Wear / Shopping for Proper Cold Gear

The video reinforces that normal clothing isn’t enough, and shows practical cold gear such as:

• Special insulated boots/shoes designed to resist frostbite
  • One shoe is described as being made with beads/multiple layers to help prevent freezing.

Markets & “Giant Freezer” Food Reality

Yakutsk is depicted as functioning like a citywide freezer, where food freezes quickly and markets often rely on outside selling.

Extreme freezing demonstrations

• Boiling water thrown up can freeze in seconds
• Fruit left outside becomes extremely hard (bananas/apples described as becoming “hammer-like”)
• Eggs may crack open or freeze solid quickly
• Washed clothes can freeze into stiff, wood-like material within minutes

Food staples due to farming limits

• Reliance on fish, meat, and stored food

A restaurant experience also mentions horse meat:

• The creator describes it as not bad and “tastes like” a mix (with limited detail beyond that).

Food & Daily Comfort Routines

To cope with the cold while working outdoors:

• People drink hot tea (e.g., a fish market vendor)

The video also highlights heated infrastructure:

• Central heating
• Insulated/guarded entrances to prevent immediate heat loss

Infrastructure / Architecture Adaptations

The city’s engineering is shown as designed for permafrost:

• Buildings are described as needing to be built on pillars
  • Otherwise, shifting ground could crack or collapse structures.
• Centralized heating provides warmth across the city.
• Multiple-door entry systems help retain interior warmth.
• Pipes can’t run through frozen ground, so:
  • water/gas/sewage pipes run above ground

Burials

• The process may require softening the ground using burning (wood heat) for several days.
• In some cases, it may require waiting until summer.

Filming Challenges in the Cold

Cold affects equipment quickly:

• Phones/cameras start malfunctioning after short exposure.

Workaround described:

• Bring gear back to heat cameras/phones before filming again.
• Outside filming is limited to about 5 minutes at a time.

Local Attractions & Unique Experiences

• “Coldest hotel in the world” concept
  • An ice-themed bed and room experience (an ice bed is mentioned).
• Ice museum
  • Preserved ancient animals (including mammoths) contained in ice.
• Mentions of permafrost/ice-themed concepts such as a “kingdom” and ice-based exhibits.

Diamonds & Regional Wealth

The video highlights Yakutsk/Siberia’s diamond industry:

• Diamond mining is framed as a key reason the region has wealth.
• The narration claims Yakutsk-region diamonds account for over a quarter of global diamond supply and describes it as the biggest diamond mine on the planet.

Geography & Climate Extremes

• Permafrost is described as an ice layer 400–600 m beneath the ground (and in a different context later described as going down 100 m).
• Natural areas are ice-covered, and the creator describes walking “on water” because surfaces are frozen.

Cultural Takeaways & Hospitality

Despite rumors, the creator reports being met with warmth and hospitality:

• People stop to take pictures
• Ask where the visitors are from
• Show interest in their background

Emotional/lifestyle conclusion:

The resilience of locals is portrayed as proof that people adapt, even when winter lasts most of the year (about 7 months).

Speaker / Sponsored Segment

• BetterHelp is the video sponsor.
• The creator discusses therapy as helpful for stress/anxiety.
• BetterHelp is described as connecting users with a large network of licensed professionals via online sessions.
• A 10% discount for the first month is mentioned via a link in the description.

Notable Locations / Products / Mentions

Locations

• Yakutsk (Yakutia), Siberia
• Portugal, Istanbul, Moscow
• Orthodox church in Yakutsk
• Chinese market
• Ice hotel, ice/permafrost museum
• Diamond mining region (Yakutia)

Products / Gear

• “Natasha” thick car covers
• Heated garage setup
• Insulated cold boots/shoes with beads/layers

Industry / Resources

• Centralized heating
• Natural gas (heating supply)
• Diamond mining (major diamond producer)

Sponsor

• BetterHelp (therapy service)