The northern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake - Cholpon Ata

Cholpon Ata was once a caravan stop along the old Silk Road. Apart from the beach, one of the main attractions here is the Petroglyph.

Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs 

Cholpon Ata Pretoglyphs, one of the easily accessible petroglyphs site in Kyrgyzstan, is in an open field less than 2km off the A363. 

Hunting long horn ibex with tame snow leopards (8th century BC - 5th century AD)

This is a big site with thousands of rocks scattered all over, said to have been brought down by glacial melt floods. Some of these rocks have ancient carvings dating back between 8th century BC - 5th century AD.

One of the labels identifying the stone carvings.
We arrived when the sun was well up....with the help of some signs we managed to identify as many rock drawings/carvings as possible. The ibex and goat are the most popular carving seen. 

Not every stone have ancient carvings... Not all the drawings are clear and not all the rocks are labeled. 

A long horn ibex carving from the Turkic era.

Grave from the Sak-Usun period (8th century BC - 5th century AD).
Saka priests considered this area as sacred. It is believed that this area was an ancient temple used for various sacrifices and rites including worshipping the Sun God.

A goat with solar symbol (8th century BC - 5th century AD)

 In the background, the Kungey Ala Too mountains...

Hunting scene

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Cholpon Ata Bazaar

Main market selling all sorts of local produce and smoked fish from Issyk-Kul Lake. Unlike other places we have travelled to so far in Kyrgyzstan, the businesses here were dominated mostly by  Russians and Khazaks. Very few locals run fruit and vege stalls in the Bazaar.

Russian girl selling smoked fish...

Smoked meat and sausages

Vege and fruits are sold by locals

Bread stall

Local berries and peaches.

Local handicraft made of felt



We bought grapes, apricots, nectarins, plums, berries and some veges at the bazaar.



We also decided to get the smoked fish. This piece cost 850 som.

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We left Cholpon Ata and drove on the A363 towards Karakol

Wheat fields near Semenovka

Part of the Tien Shan mountain ranges surrounding Issykul Lake.

Cloudy and starting to drizzle. Temperature about 24°C. Elevation about 1,600m above sea level.

War memorial near Jarkynbaebo

Cowboys guiding their herd home... near Chong Oruktu village.