[15]Abakansky ostrog (Абаканский острог), also known as Abakansk (Абаканск), was built at the mouth of the Abakan River in 1675.

When the site was excavated by Soviet archaeologists in 1941–1945, they realized that they had discovered a building absolutely unique for the area: a large (1500 square meters) Chinese-style, likely Han dynasty era (206 BC–220 AD) palace.

The identity of the high-ranking personage who lived luxuriously in Chinese style, far outside the Han Empire's borders, has remained a matter for discussion ever since.

Russian archaeologist Lidiya Yevtyukhova [ru] surmised, based on circumstantial evidence, that the palace may have been the residence of Li Ling, a Chinese general who had been defeated by the Xiongnu in 99 BCE, and defected to them as a result.

More recently, for example, it was claimed by Aleksey Kovalyov [ru] as the residence of Lu Fang (盧芳), a Han throne pretender from the Guangwu era.

[21] Abakan's sites of interest include: Bandy, similar to hockey, is one of the most popular sports in the city.

In 2021, the annual Nikolai Bulakin Prize of Abakan was established for outstanding services and achievements in the city's development.