Determining the most peculiar or unique town or city in Asia can be subjective, as it depends on the criteria used to define “randomness” or “uniqueness.” However, one town that might fit this description is Chess City in Elista, the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia in Russia.
Elista is unique due to its strong association with chess, heavily promoted by its former president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who was also the president of FIDE (the International Chess Federation). The city features a district known as Chess City, or “City-Chess,” which was constructed to host the 1998 Chess Olympiad. The area includes various chess-themed structures, from hotels and cottages to a grand chess-themed conference center. The central square features a giant chessboard, serving as a symbol of the town’s dedication to the game.
The unusual emphasis on chess, combined with Kalmykia’s location as a unique republic in the Russian Federation with a predominantly Buddhist population, contributes to Elista’s reputation as a distinctive and somewhat random destination. Visitors often find this blend of culture, history, and theme a fascinating experience, reflecting both the influence of its former leader and the cultural diversity of the region.
