TOURISM

Kyrgyzstan Travel Information

Kyrgyzstan is situated in Central Asia , its neighbouring countries are Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tadjikistan to the south and China to its East and South-East. The former Republic of the Soviet Union became independent in the year 1991 and since then is a democratic Presidential Republic. Bishkek, formerly called Frunze , is the capital with about 1 million inhabitants, the country as a whole has about 5 million inhabitants and an area of 198.500 km².

Kyrgyzstan Travel - People

As a result of its varied and turbulent history, the country throughout the centuries became a real melting pot of nationalities: The ethnic group of the Kyrgyz, traditionally nomads that still nowadays often live as half-nomads (see also "Kyrgyz people and their traditions"), makes up only a bit more than 50% of the population. The two other important ethnic groups are Russians and Uzbeks, both with about 15 % of the population. The Russians came into the region during the 19 th century, and especially the capital Bishkek, only 125 years old, is heavily influenced by the Russian way of life and Soviet architecture. Because of this people, also the second-biggest religious group in the mostly muslim country (80%) are Russian-orthodox. The Uzbek people lives to its biggest part in the south of the country, close to the border to Uzbekistan . This part of the country is also much more influenced by muslim traditions than the rest.
Other people out of those more than 80 nationalities and ethnic groups living in Kyrgyzstan are European ones like Germans or Ukrains, muslim chinese people like Dungans and Uighurs, as well as Tatars.
Although there are so many different people living in the region, whose lifestyle and traditions sometimes differ a lot, they all have one thing in common: The typical Central Asian hospitality, that can in no way be compared with the way guests are greeted in the western world: Never you will come across a yurt without being invited for a cup of the national drink Kymyz and a snack, never you will be invited into the house of locals without facing a table, completely full of delicacies already before the main dish is served. Nontheless, gastronomy is only one way where hospitality is shown: The warmth and openness of the people can be felt already when you first get acquainted, and at the second meeting you're very often already considered as a family member!

Kyrgyzstan Travel Destinations Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Bishkek, the capital of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, with a population of about 1 million, is situated in the north part of the country (Chui-Region). Especially the centre is heavily influenced by the Soviets, and you can enjoy quite a number of typical soviet-style architecture (Philharmonia - concert hall, government building, Historic Museum, Monument for the Great War of the Native Country) but also modern monuments pointing out the traditional Kyrgyz culture (Monument of Manas, Monument of Independence, as well as many statues of Akyns, Manaschi and local governors of different periods).
Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan Issyk Kul is Kyrgyzstan's largest Lake and at about 180 km long by 70 km wide and 668 meters deep at the deepest point, (the average depth is about 300 meters ), it is the world's second largest mountain lake - and the fifth deepest lake in the world. The lake has been held in high regard by the Kyrgyz - it is known as the "pearl of the Tien Shan" - and in 2004, the government declared the lake as the "property of the nation". One source even suggests that, at one time, it was even forbidden to swim in the lake.

Burana Tower

Burana Tower is seven km. far from the city of Tokmok. It is an 11th century minaret, and one of the first buildings of such type in Central Asia. The original height of minaret was 45 meters. Today the tower is 24.6 meters high, the remaining part came down during an earthquake in the 15th century. In the 10th to 12th centuries, Karakhanids khanate was a great feudal state of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. The founders, "karakhans", chigil tribes by birth, lived in the Tien-Shan and for a short time of the second half of the 10th century they conquered a large territory. One of the capitals of this state was Balasagun. In Karakhanids' time new towns and settlements were developing, the centers of big cities were improved and Moslem religious buildings were built in the town of Balasagun. Burana tower, mausoleums and other buildings found after archeological excavations are the witnesses of that build up. The town's life declined slowly, people left it, the buildings fell apart and finally in the 15th century it ceased to exit.

Arslanbob

The vast tracts of woodland with nut and fruit trees in the valley of the River Arslanbob are the largest of their kind in the world, measuring over 600,000 hectares. One of the legends says that Alexander the Great once led his troops to these parts. Here, it is said, he completed his campaign to the east and decided to return home. He took with him fruits and nuts grown in the forests. And that is how the walnut from the Kyrgyz Mountains appeared in Greece, and it has since been known as the "Greek nut" in many parts of the world.
Up to 1,500 tons of walnut is harvested each year in the Arslanbob valley, besides 5,000 tons of apples, pistachio and cherry plum. People are grateful for these generous gifts of nature and seek to preserve their source. Already for many years the Arslanbob area (which means the King of Forests" in Kyrgyz), has been a forest zone protected by the state.
Bishkek is located at the foothills of the Terskey Alatoo, and there are lots of picturesque and recreational areas in its suburbs. One of the recreational areas is Ala-Archa gorge, which in Kyrgyz means bright juniper.
Justifying the name, juniper is growing all over the place, and is food for birds in the surrounding area. The Alamedin River, flowing along the gorge is beautiful. Ice cold, it can be wild and dangerous at the beginning of spring and in early summer. The region has many climbing routes of high complexity, and peaks with altitudes from 4,000 m to 5,000 m above the sea level. Ala-Archa gorge is a favorite place where tourists, climbers, and citizens of Bishkek used to rest and train for climbing.
Mountains ring the lake and there are several valleys worth visiting, Gregorievka and Simeonevka on the North, Barskoon on the South and numerous others around Karakol. To the North are the Kungei ("Sunny") Ala-Too mountains and are criss-crossed by trekking routes including ones that connect the lake with Almaty - while to the South lie the Teskei ("Shady") Ala- Too mountains. These mountain ranges protect the Issyk Kul hollow from winds bringing either extreme cold - or extremly hot - winds.

From Bishkek the lake is approached through Boom Gorge, and it is possible to cut into the mountains here to the Chon Kemin valley. The lake lies at the bottom of a drainage hollow, or depression and has no outflow.
Issyk Kul is Kyrgyzstans largest Lake and at about 180 km long by 70 km wide and 668 meters deep at the deepest point, (the average depth is about 300 meters ), it is the world's second largest mountain lake - and the fifth deepest lake in the world.
The lake has been held in high regard by the Kyrgyz - it is known as the "pearl of the Tien Shan " - and in 2004, the government declared the lake as the "property of the nation". One source even suggests that, at one time, it was even forbidden to swim in the lake.
The area relishes in some 2900 hours of sunshine a year. Because of the effect of the mountain ranges North and South, it does not suffer from extreme Continental climatic conditions. Summer temperatures are usually around 25-28 degrees, but as the lake lies at an altitude of some 1606m, it can get quite chilly, especially at night. Winter temperatures can be around -5 degrees.
At the highest altitudes, snow falls and does not melt. As more snow falls, it compresses that which is already lying on the ground, and forms sheets of ice. Some of the ice is forced down mountain valleys forming valley glaciers gouging a course (typified in U-shaped valleys and hanging streams, which are left over once the ice retreats), and carrying debris (moraine) along its course to deposit it some great distance away.
The ice in valley glaciers, (known locally as "ice rivers"), can move at a rate between 3 and 40 cm a day, depending upon the size - width, thickness and slope of the valley. At the edges are often found crevasses - which may easily be covered by freshly fallen snow, and so present a particular hazard to mountaineers.
Glaciers, (8000 of them - one source says 8208), and permanent snow cover some 8100 square kilometers - about 30% of the total land area of the Kyrgyz Republic. The glaciers themselves cover about 4% of the surface area of the country.
The most famous is the Enilchek Glacier - actually there are two branches - Northern and Southern in the Peak Pobeda ( 7439 m )/Khan Tengri ( 6995 m ) massif in the Eastern Tien Shan.
Some glaciers are within easy reach of Bishkek, (for example the Ak-Sai ( 3500 m ) and Adygene ( 3200 m ) in Ala Archa National park), and several companies offer two or three day treks to them.
Together, the glaciers contain some 580 billion cubic meters of water - enough to cover the whole of Kyrgyzstan to a depth of 3m. Here is a list of some of the major glaciers to be found in the republic. Different sources sometimes give different figures for their length and area - possibly a sign of the effects of climate change.
Due to its size it sometimes appears like an inland sea, and it has a fair number of beaches. Most of these are on the Northern shore and have long acted as a magnet for tourists. There are a large number of hotels, sanatoria, guesthouses and homestays at various points around the lake, many of which can make arrangements for services to the neighbouring mountains. Some of the sanatoria have hydrothermal springs and offer mud baths.
The tourist season usually runs from June until September - but the peak season is from about 25 th July until 25 th August - and it may be difficult to find places and prices are at a premium. A number of the sanatoria, hotels, guesthouses and homestays around the lake operate all year round - although some are open only during the summer season.
The area was basically unknown to the Western world until Russian "explorers" like Tianshansky Semeyenov ventured into the mountains nearby. There was greater contact with the East, however, and the Chinese traveler Jan Chan Tzan reached the lake in about 128 BC as part of a 6-year journey of exploration (1138-126BC). The first written account of the lake comes from another Chinese traveler, Suan Zsan, when describing his 16-year journey of exploration. The first written example of the use of the name, Isi-kul, dates from an anonymous work - "The boundaries of the world from East to West" - written in Tajik in 982 AD. It also accurately states the size of the lake.

Osh

Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan - reputedly 3000 years old. Archaeologists have found artifacts dating back to about the fifth century B.C. One claim that is often heard is that Osh is "Older than Rome ". There are several legends about the origin of the city - including claims to having been founded by Solomon or Alexander the Great. Even if such a grand personage did not establish Osh , its position at a crossroads along the ancient trading routes that became known as the Silk Road almost guaranteed that it would become a major settlement.
Osh is mentioned in the greatest epic of the Kyrgyz People - Manas - where the wise man Oshpur was a tutor of Manas. In the period between the 10 th and the 12 th centuries it was the third city of the Ferghana Valley , and in 1762 it joined the Khanate of Kokand and became one of the six trading centres with the Khanate. Assimilated into Tsarist Russia, the city expanded onto the left bank of the river and European style houses started to appear.
In the center of the city is Sulaiman Too ("Solomons mountain"), which dominates the city. Up until the sixteenth century it was known as "Bara Kuch" - or " Nice Mountain ". It was given it's new name because the Muslim prophet Suleyman Sheikh was buried at the foot of it, and since that time it assumed a Holy significance and many believers make a pilgrimage here. Also, some Muslims apparently think that Muhammad is supposed to have once prayed here.
There is a path walkway around the mountain, which makes an interesting walk. Along the way you will probably see pilgrims praying at a little cave. Inside the cave, water droplets drip from the roof, and it is said that these are the tears of Suleyman. Pilgrims come to pray to relief from illnesses and for help in solving problems.
For some reason (apparently, in profile some people think it resembles a pregnant woman lying down - but you have to be some distance away and in the direction to see this), it is also revered by many women who have been unable to bear children.

At the top of a short (30 minute climb) is a flagpole and a mosque built in 1497 by the 14 year old Babur who had been recently crowned the King of the Ferghana Valley - and later went on to become the founder of the Mogul dynasty in India - destroyed and rebuilt twice it is another center for pilgrimage. In later life Babur abdicated and wrote his memoires in which he mentions the Suleyman mount (and his building projects on it); the river, overlooked from both banks by gardens and a red and white stone which was used as handles for knoves. He also tells of a mosque built by a meadow with a wide wide stream flowing through it, and apparently it was a standing joke to carry people who fell asleep in the meadow across three streams to the other side.
There is also a small archaeological-cultural museum here with many of the ancient artifacts discovered in the city environs. An historical-ethnographic museum called the Great Silk Road Museum , on Kurmanjan Datka, has well-done exhibitions which focus on South Kyrgyzstan and cover the Silk Road days; Kyrgyz immigration from South Siberia ; the Kokand khanate; Russian annexation in 1865 and the Bolshevik takeover after 1917. One interesting exhibit is a map dating from 1953 that shows the different Kyrgyz tribes and clans (still a very important factor in Kyrgyz society today).
In the city there is a statue of Kurmanjan Datka - the "Queen of the South" who opposed Russian expansion in the region and is featured on the 50-som note. There is also a statue of Lenin. Nearby is a war memorial that bears the inscription (in Russian and Kyrgyz) "No One is Forgotten - Nothing is Forgotten".
Most guidebooks refer to the bazaar as one of the most picturesque in all of Asia , stretching for about a kilometer along the bank of the river. Near the bazaar is the largest mosque in Kyrgyzstan - The Shaid Tepa Mosque. The original wooden building was constructed between1908 and 1910, but was closed by the Soviets, when it served as a stables and blacksmiths. It was reopened in 1943 in a surprising act of religious tolerance by the then Soviet government. Recently it has been renovated with financial support from Saudi Arabia and has space for some 5000 worshippers.

Tourism and the memorials of historical and cultural heritage

Since the announcement of the independence in 1991, the development of tourism in Kyrgyzstan has become the object of the President Akaevs meticulous attention. The exemplar of which could be the year of 2001 that was proclaimed as the Year of Support and Development of Tourism by the President.
Nowadays Kyrgyzstan is becoming more attractive for the extreme-lovers, businessmen, scientists, and sportsmen and for people, who are interested in the history and nowadays situation of the countries, situated on the Great Silk Road.
From the earliest times Kyrgyzstan has been a part of Central Asian Civilization and was the international, diplomatic and cultural communications hub of East and West. Occupying a favorable geographical position on trade routes, it absorbed cultural achievements of West and East.
In 1999 the President of this country A. Akaev put forward the Doctrine of the Great Silk Road. Kyrgyzstan, as it is stated in the conception, situated in the center of Eurasian Continent, at the turn of civilizations, from the earliest times it served as a bridge of friendship between many countries of the word.
The Great Silk Road always played a great role in communication between West and East, connecting their cultures. Traveling around Kyrgyzstan today, one can find himself in the ancient times. Such things of cultural heritage as archaeological, historical and religious monuments everyday life of the peoples in Kyrgyzstan attract tourists. More than 250 tourist firms present historical and natural treasures of Kyrgyzstan to the world.
The whole territory of Kyrgyzstan is divided into tourist zones, each of which is unique and contains interesting natural and historical-cultural sights. The inseparable part of world cultural heritage is such archeological objects as the rock paintings in the Sajmaly-Tash tract and on the Issyk-Kul coast, barrows of Scythian (Sak) leaders of V-VI centuries, medieval Burana and Uzgen architecture complexes and Tash-Rabat caravansary.
Historical-cultural tourism suggests an excursion to Krasnorechensky site of ancient settlement (medieval Nevaket). Here the valuable fragments of buddhistic painting and sculpture have been found among them the monumental statue of "sleeping Buddha". Research and preservation works are being continued until today in this sight of ancient settlement, giving tourists the possibility to see the last archeological discoveries.
At that time Buddhist monuments were put in 20 km to the East from the Krasnorechensky site of ancient settlement in the other medieval monument, which is identified with the Turkish ruling capital Sujab (the site of ancient settlement Ak-Beshim). Many tourists come to look at these ruins from different countries, especially where Buddhism is the traditional religion. Among nowadays excavated objects that are of tourists interest is the medieval complex of Christian churches, which amazes visitors by its size - 60x40m.
The picture of "healing Buddha" of VII - VIII, which is the most valuable historic and cultural monument of this epoch, is well remained on one of the rocks in the Issyk-Ata gorge, where the resort of the same name with healing mineral water is situated. Here travelers christened, paving the relic by fragrance and essences, healed of illnesses and took rest. The monument had been used as a religious one until the ethnographical contemporaneity.

Issyk-Kul region is mainly known for its sanatorium, health, historical, recreation and mountain tourism. There are more than 128 sanatoria and health resorts, where about 30 thousand persons can be placed at the same time.

The bottom of Issyk-Kul remains mysterious. It is well known that there are ruins under the water of Issyk-Kul. There is a hope that this blue pearl will meet its Kusto.
On the well-known Catalan map (XIV c.) on the north-eastern bank of Issyk-Kul lake there is a sign, shaped like a temple, decorated with a cross and explanatory note: "the Monastery of Armyansky brothers, and the place where relics of Apostle Mathew are kept." The conducted research of ruins hasnt given any results yet. Apparently, our scientists will manage to find some traces of the ancient cloister. Many foreign companies and private persons are interested in this project and are ready to conduct exploration and excavations. The search of this monument could become a strong factor of archeological tourism development.
Internal Tien-Shan is the highest mountain zone of the Kyrgyz Republic. Almost all of the territory of this part is located over 1500m above sea level and mountain ridges are laid fan-wise from east to west. There are 500 lakes, the largest of them are Son-Kul and Chatyr-Kul. The territory of the internal Tien-Shan is joined to convenient highways, so it is widely recommended for multifunctional tourism. As a whole there are 14 tourist zones. This territory has all conditions for sport, hydro equipment, mountain challenge and hunting. Recently jayloo-tourizm has been developing very well.
In spite of sharp climate and mountain relief, the territory of internal Tien-Shan has been settled since great antiquity. The witnesses of life existence many centuries ago in this place are stone statues, rock pictures, and barrows. Historical and cultural monuments of medieval ages are widely introduced here: there are installed towns (Koshoy-Korgon), which appeared on the basis of nomadic pastures, khans headquarters, military-trade factories, and caravan ways from Fergana valley through the Tien-Shan.
One of the most well-known and popular tourist objects of this region is Tash-Rabat (X-XIIc.c.), monumental stone construction, built in gorge difficult to access but really picturesque one. There are a lot of legends about it. According to one of them, Tash-Rabat has been built by the community of Roman emigrants (Byzantium) that are considered to be Christians. But the majority of explorers are inclined to think of it as the Caravan Palace, serving the branch of the Silk Road.
The tourists and exhibitors are extremely interested in kilometer deep canyons of Talas zone, the majority of it are the chain of astonishingly beautiful lakes, and waterfalls. Historical and cultural complex "Manas-Ordo", gained the national status in 2002, was formed in 1995 in the upper Talas, the place where famous barrow Ken-Kol and mausoleum Kumbez Manas( XIVc.) were situated. As it is known, in the lower Talas in 751 a battle between Chinese and Arabic troops took place. It defined the fate of Central Asia, especially its northern districts.
Osh region is of the great interest for the travelers, who are fond of history. For many thousands of years a significant amount of historical events took place in this district of Kyrgyzstan.

There are a lot of historical and cultural monuments: Sulaiman-Too hill with petroglifs and religious places, mausoleum Asaf- ibn- Burhiya, Safid- Bulend; minaret and mausoleum in Uzgen, as well as some ancient towns and barrows, where ceramics, weapons, household and labor equipment were found.
There is a number of interesting caves and canyons in this zone, available for visits: Chil-Ustun cave, Aravan Dangi canyon, Abshir-Say waterfall, Curet-Tash and Nookat petroglyphs, Ajidaar Unkur and Baritov caves.
Ancient Osh is very interesting. For a long time the legendary Babur, warrior, commander and founder of Mongol distany, was its governor. There is Babur`s house on one of the ridges of Sulaiman-Too mountain. It was recreated according to the archive sources.
According to the legend, Sultan Babur used to have a rest and think over, looking down on his subjects. The narrow "ordeal path of unfaithful wives" leads there. The legend says that no unfaithful wife could have passed the narrowest place on the path and fell down, perishing and proving the suspicions of her husband.
Among the latest research works of the objects of historical and cultural heritage the ruins of pre-arabic Osch (Ak-Buura town), located within the town limits are of a great interest for tourists.
Folk creativity of the Kyrgyz people: original songs and legends, stories and epics are extremely interesting national singers - akyns, who sing songs and epics, take a special place in the history of the Kyrgyz people. National craftsmen of handmade and decorated art make the patterned carpets and household object, made of felt of bright colors, leather products and jewelry, decorated by the pattern and semiprecious stones, wattled mats made of cheegrass and amazing ceramic crafts, the complicity of wood carving and patterned weaving and others.
The legends and stories are typical for all cultures all over the world. Besides the written stories the Kyrgyz people possess songs, performed by the national singers-akyns, accompanied by the national musical instrument - komuz.

Legends about Issyk-Kul Lake

Long ago there was a beautiful city on the place of Issyk-Kul. One day, the young girls who lived in this city went to the mountains to pick brushwood for fire. While they were away a tremendous earthquake took place. The whole depression was flooded and all inhabitants perished. When the girls came home, they found a big lake that occupied the place of the town. They were seized by such a grief because of this accident, that they came to this place every day and mourn over the destiny of their relatives and friends. Their bitter tears made the lake salty and scalding, thats why it has never frozen. This legend reflected the name of the lake, "Issyk" means hot (as a tear), "Kul"-lake.

Once there was a wonderful city and one cruel khan governed it. One day he saw a beautiful girl on the riverbank. The khan wanted to marry her. The girl didnt like him and refuse to this proposal. She asked townsmen to be on her side, but nobody cared about the fate of the unhappy girl. The khan imprisoned her in the highest tower until she would agree to marry him. She shed bitter tears and prayed to heavens to take pity on her. Her prayers were heard. The river, which flew through the town, over flew the banks, the ground slipped away from the feet.
The river flooded the whole city. All of them: the girl, the khan and all indifferent citizens of the town perished. Since that time the lake has been salty and very changeable. Sometimes it is quite and still, like the dead girl, sometimes threatening and terrible, like the mention of the tragedy, sometimes it splashes indifferently.

3.  Khan Iskender

Long ago there was a big city on the place of Issyk-Kul. The ruler of this city was one cruel khan Iskender. He had a great secret: he was two-horned. In order to keep his secret, he executed every person who clipped or shaved him. The son of an old widow took the turn to clip the khan. She knew the risk her son was subjected to, so she decided to rescue him: she cooked three round cakes, made of her own milk and advised him to treat them to the khan. When her son came to khan, he dropped the first round cake and than the second one, as his mother told to him. At last when he let the third round cake fall, the khan picked it up and tasted it. It turned out to be very delicious. The khan asked what it was made of. This way the khan and the poor man became maternal brothers. So, the khan made the fellow promise him to keep his secret and let him go. On the third day the fellow came to the khans place once again, because he had stomachache and unbearable desire to tell somebody khans secret. The khan ordered to open the cover of a big well, which was located in the center of the town and cry out three times: "Our Iskender Khan is two-horned". As the fellow tried to cry for the third time, water burst out of the well and flooded the town. So Issyk-Kul lake was formed.

4. Cholpon and two batyrs (heroes)

This story took place even that time when all Kyrgyz people lived as one tribe near the snowy mountains. There was one young and beautiful girl in the tribe whose eyes were bluer and clearer than the sky, and brighter than the stars, sparkling on it. Two strong, brave jigits Ulan and Santash fell in love with her. They were ready to sacrifice their lives for affection of Cholpon. She couldnt decide whose proposal she wanted to take. So jigits began to struggle for her love: they tore their clothes, wounded each other, shed the blood. But nobody could win over another. So their relatives joined them in this struggle. It was a bloody fight. Cholpon didnt know what to do. She couldn’t offend one or the other jigits. So she pulled her heart out of breast so nobody could possess it and fell dead.
Since that time she has laid on the high hill, facing the rising sun. And this place is called Cholpon-Ata in her honor. The people shed tears because of the death of their lovely daughter for a long time. Their bitter tears flooded the valley between the mountains. So the lake was formed. It was called "the hot lake" - Issyk-Kul. The heroes stopped the struggle for a while. The tribe was divided into two: Kungey and Terskey. They settled on the southern and northern banks of the lake.
The heroes still cant forget beautiful Cholpon. As they meet each other, they strike, moan, the great storm rages on the lake. Two strong winds Ulan and Santash face each other, from west and east and struggle to exhaustion. Than they calm down, regain their strength and fight again in the eternal struggle.

5. Broken heart

Long ago there was a cruel and old khan. He was rich and had many wives. One day during his hunt he saw a beautiful girl with long black braids, easy step of a swan and eyes of a wild deer. At once khan wanted to marry her. This girl was from one poor family and from the very childhood she was engaged to her beloved. As they knew about khans intention they decided to runaway. They went on for a trip but khan ordered his servants to catch them. Far away in the mountains they were caught. The servants killed the fellow and took the girl away by force. She couldnt stand the death of her beloved and separation from her relatives, so her heart was broken and she died on her way home. Soon there was a hill at that place, shaped like a broken heart.

6.  40 girls (about the pass Kyrk Kyz Asuu)

This story took place at one of the Kyrgyz passes, which later has been called Kyrk Kyz, that means 40 girls.
Long ago 40 beautiful girls climbed this pass in order to pick flowers. This pass was too high, the way was too complicated, and snowy clouds were wandering at the ridge of the hill. As girls climbed the pass, awful snowy blizzard began. In order not to freeze and not to lose each other they pile up and fell asleep. They were drifted by snow. Next spring nobody could find anything there. Since that time, when old men climb the pass and pray eastward, there is a blizzard accompanied by ground wind on the ridge of the mountain that reminds women figures. The groan is heard out of the ground, similar to the moans of dead girls. When a young jigit climbs the pass, everything calms down and the fellow is fulfilled by dreams about these 40 girls.

7.  Seven blood- stained rocks

It happened long ago. There was a rich bai (rich man). He had 7 sons. Time passed, bai grew older, his sons grew up and became stronger. As he was old, he decided to divide all of his wealth between his sons. When he divided innumerable herds and flocks, 7 calves were lost. They looked for calves for a long time, but nothing could be found.
Soon Bai died. His sons lived separately. Sometime later, the calves were found. They grew up and became bulls. When the sons looked at them, they wanted to possess them. Everybody wanted to have a better one. Nobody wanted to yield. The great quarrel began between them; it was a struggle to death, the blood was shed. The wise wizard saw inevitable fratricide and in order to stop it he transformed 7 calves into seven bloodstained rocks. Now they are situated not far from the southern bank of Issyk-kul. It is called Jety-Oguz - seven calves.

8. Burana

One day Baytik khan decided to capture Tokmok. He left his daughter with his suite at the gorge not far from the town and went with his troops towards the town. Khan treated citizens very severely; he didnt pity neither old men, women nor children - he ordered to kill everybody. Only one old woman managed to survive. She came to the khan and said that he killed all of her sons. But his daughter whom he loved very much would die because of the karakurt (poisonous spider) bite. Furious khan ordered to kill the old woman and immediately build a tower. At the top of the tower he settled his daughter with two servants, who brought the food through the door, that was made higher above the ground. Only staying on the horseback, one could reach the door. One day the servants gave khans daughter a dish with grapes. Nobody noticed the karakurt, hiding in the bunch of grapes. She raised her hand, screamed and soon died. Since that time an empty tower stands near Tokmok.