In addition to numerous attractions, Central Asia can safely boast of its highlight - Issyk-Kul Lake. This unique lake is at the same time one of the thirty largest lakes on the planet both in area and in depth.
Mountain Issyk-Kul continues to attract the attention of the tourist community. Every year, the flow of tourists increases. But, unfortunately, not everyone knows where Lake Issyk-Kul is located and what it is famous for.
Issyk-Kul is located on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. This republic was part of the Soviet Union, and its attraction belonged to a huge country. Getting to the lake at that time was not difficult. Today, in order to enjoy the beauty of one of the deepest lakes in the world, you will have to cross several states with which Kyrgyzstan borders: China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Issyk-Kul Lake is one of the top largest lakes in the world by area and takes seventh place in.
1609 meters above sea level determines the location of the Kyrgyz lake. The exact location of Issyk-Kul can be found on the geographical map. If you consider it carefully, then the first thing you come across the mountain system of the Northern Tien Shan. The ranges of Teskey-Ala-Tau and Küngei-Ala-Tau on both sides surround the reservoir.
Issyk-Kul has four bays: Pokrovsky, Tyupsky, Jergalansky, Rybachy. The coastline of the lake swung almost 700 km. The size of Issyk Kul Lake is impressive. Issyk-Kul is measured one hundred eighty-two kilometers from west to east, fifty-eight kilometers from north to south. The climate in Kyrgyzstan is very mild, therefore, even in the harshest winter, the lake is not covered with ice. For several decades in Issyk-Kul there has been a cyclical level of water. It increases and decreases.
The lake is of interest not only as a tourist attraction, but also as an object for research. An amazing view of the lake is visible even from space. It did not leave indifferent any astronaut. They all admire the Kyrgyz pond as one. The legendary space explorer, Alexei Leonov, compared a mountain miracle with the human eye. Tourists usually combine a visit to Issyk-Kul Lake and
What water in Issyk Kul: salty or fresh
The answer to this question will most likely be given by its regular visitors, who will confirm with confidence its salinity. However, the discoverers of the alpine lake are confident that the water in it is fresh. This opinion comes from the erroneous comparison of Issyk-Kul with Lake Baikal. However, the large size and clear water, the similarity of the two lakes ends.
To surely find out what kind of water is in Issyk-Kul, we will approach the solution of this issue from a scientific point of view.
Issyk-Kul - a closed lake. It has no connection with the oceans. About eighty tributaries flow into the lake. Jergalan and Tyup flow from the east, and Kutemaldy from the west. The last channel belongs to the Chu River, which flows very close to the lake. Issyk-Kul replenishes the six-kilometer Kutemaldy only in the spring flood.
Issyk-Kul can be considered the center of the accumulation of glacial rivers, which carry dissolved mineral salts in their waters: sodium, sulfate, chloride and magnesium. This lake can rightly be considered a health resort of pan-European and even world significance, thanks to its healing mineral water.
Where did the name of the lake come from
There are several explanations of where the name Issyk-Kul came from. If we take into account the origin of the words in the name of the lake, then they have Turkic roots. The Turkic words Issiq-Kul became the progenitors of the modern name Issyk-Kul. The Kyrgyz spelling of Lake Ysyk Kul means “hot lake” because it does not freeze in the winter season. We already know that this is due to the mild climate, very salty water and the huge heat reserves that are stored in the depths of Issyk-Kul.
EM. Murzaev, a Soviet physicist geographer who at one time dealt with the history of the name of the lake, is inclined to a theory that goes far into antiquity. Indigenous Kyrgyz consider Issyk-Kul a sacred lake. His holiness is honored by the nation for centuries, preserving it today. The ancient name is Ace Kul, that is, "salt lake".
Reasons to visit Issyk-Kul
The most important argument to go to Issyk-Kul as soon as possible is to put your health in order. This is an amazing place that combines fresh mountain air and healing mineral water. The health resort is waiting for its visitors from the second half of June until the end of summer. Since those wishing to improve their health are growing annually, medical facilities are also increasing depending on demand. In addition to sanatoriums and boarding houses, you can stay in hotels, lodges for rest, complexes for tourists.
Issyk-Kul is a favorite place for avid fishermen. The species diversity of fish has about twenty families. Most of it was introduced deliberately and adapted to mountain water. One of the acclimatized species is gegharkuni imported from Armenia. Fishermen often show off the catch of trout and chebak. It happens that individuals get more than 15 kilograms.
Alpine lake is very attractive for lovers to contemplate beautiful places on planet Earth. Issyk-Kul, like Baikal, beckons with its clean and clear water. Throughout the day, you can observe how the color palette of water changes. The color scheme plays a variety of colors: it either dazzles the eye with emerald tints, or the blue waves excite the heart with its pressure.
Issyk-Kul is no less fascinating for its sights and traditions.
Legends and secrets of the Kyrgyz miracle
Issyk-Kul is full of mysteries and legends. Guides with special interest tell about local sacraments and legends. In confirmation of the mystery of the alpine lake, we will get to know some of them.
The first legend says how the mountain pool appeared. This happened in the distant past, when there was no reservoir at all. And in its current place was a magnificent city. But the life of the great settlement was interrupted in an instant. During a major earthquake, the earth moved apart and “swallowed” the city along with its inhabitants, leaving a huge hollow in its place. A huge deepening began to rapidly fill with water and turned into a mountain lake.
As it turned out later, not all residents died in that disaster. Several girls remained alive who, on the day of the tragedy, went to the mountains for brushwood. The grief so overwhelmed the young beauties that they could not reconcile with the loss of their relatives. As soon as the sun rose, they came to the pond and wept bitterly, suffering from the loss of loved ones. There were so many tears that they turned the fresh water of the lake into salt water. It was the burning tears of the suffering girls that gave the name to Lake Issyk, which translates as "hot." To the first word of the Kyrgyz added Kul, which means lake.
Elders confirm that the disposition of Issyk-Kul is fully consistent with its name. If you peer into the lake for a long time, you can clearly trace its mood, similar to the experiences of surviving girls. A transparent emerald color during calmness envelops with its magic, and the crazy waves raging in the storm are ready to tear the coast to shreds.
No less entertaining is the legend of Tamerlane. For seven years, the Turkic commander has been to the lake three times. The truthfulness of this legend is evidenced by the pass located in the eastern part of the lake. It was formed during the military campaigns of Tamerlane in these lands. Each time, making the next campaign to capture the local population, the Central Asian conqueror ordered the soldiers to take one stone and put them in one place. When the whole army passed, a stone mountain formed on this place. However, the conquests of Tamerlane failed. He never managed to conquer the indigenous tribes. The local population was quite dodgy. The tribes before the approach of the Tamerlane troops migrated from the country and waited in secluded places. Tamerlan could not stay in the Kyrgyz territory for a long time, he needed to conquer other lands. Returning back, the commander ordered each warrior to take a stone from the first heap and shift it to another. In this way, Tamerlan counted his soldiers. Hence the name of the artificial mountain "Santash" - counting stones.
Issyk-Kul is a lake in eastern Kyrgyzstan in the northern part of the Tien Shan mountains. It is the tenth lake in the world in volume (but not surface area) and the second largest among salt lakes after the Caspian Sea. Translated from the Kyrgyz Issyk-Kul means "warm lake", despite the fact that it is surrounded on all sides by snowy peaks, the lake never freezes.
The lake is 182 km long and about 60 km wide. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world. It is located at an altitude of 1,607 meters and reaches 668 meters deep. 118 rivers and streams flow into the lake, but not one flows out. There is a hypothesis that the lake waters have an underground outlet to the Chu River.
The salinity of the water in the lake is low - only 0.6% (for comparison, ordinary sea water has 3.5% salt). The water level decreases annually by 5 centimeters. The climate in the lake area is mild, not as hot as in other areas of Kyrgyzstan.
The best period for a beach holiday is July, August, the air temperature at this time is about 25 degrees, the water temperature is 22-23 degrees.
How to get there
The shortest way to Issyk-Kul is a flight to Bishkek airport. Minibuses leave from Vostochny train station, about 4 hours on the way. A taxi will cost about $ 60.
Low Price Calendar for Flights to Bishkek:
Booking an individual airport transfer HERE
A longer option is a flight to Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan). I used this very path in due time, because I also wanted to visit Medeo. In addition, the flight to Alma-Ata was cheaper. Buses from Alma-Ata to Issyk-Kul leave late in the evening, on the way about 8-9 hours, i.e. the road lasts all night. It should be noted that rest on Issyk-Kul for Kazakhstan residents is an economy class vacation, so the buses were crowded with tourists, mainly young people.
The bus was very noisy, so it was hard to sleep. In addition, at night it was necessary to go out to cross the border.
The border is formal, a Russian passport is enough, but do not forget to take out medical insurance just in case.
Where to stay
The most populated is the northern part of the Issyk-Kul coast. The southern part, although no less picturesque, was once contaminated with mercury; gold mining is carried out in this area by a foreign company. Although it is believed that the region’s ecology has already been fully restored, this part of the coast has developed more slowly, and the main tourist settlements are located on the northern part of the lake.
The main settlements are Cholpon-Ata and Bosteri, and numerous villages are located along the lake. Another large city in Issyk-Kul is Karakol (formerly Przhevalsk), it is located on the east coast of the lake.
There is a ski resort.
In the area of \u200b\u200bLake Issyk-Kul there are sanatoriums and pensions. The most famous are the sanatoriums Blue Issyk-Kul, Cholpon-Ata and "Kyrgyz seaside" in Bosteri.
They have a developed infrastructure and offer a wide range of services, located right on the lake. It is recommended to buy trips to them in advance.
You can book your stay in Issyk-Kul HERE.
Even on the bus, at the entrance to Issyk-Kul, real estate rental agents began to sit down and offer us various accommodation options. We agreed with one of the agents that he would show us several options in Bosteri. Transferred to a passenger car and soon chose a nice room in a private mini-hotel a 5-minute walk from the lake. Accommodation prices are cheaper than in similar private hotels on the Black Sea coast.
A room in the private sector can be rented even cheaper. As a rule, the private sector is located further from the coast, but its advantage is home-based food from the owners and the ability to use the kitchen.
Search Hotels in Cholpon-Ata:
Excursions around Issyk-Kul
The main reason why it is worth making such a long journey to Lake Issyk-Kul to Kyrgyzstan is, of course, excursions. There is something to see here.
Excursions can be purchased at guest houses in settlements.
We took excursions to Karakol, a two-day tour around Issyk-Kul on an SUV with an overnight stay in yurts, a trip to the famous Bishkek Dordoi market.
Karakol (formerly Przhevalsk)
Karakol is the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Attractions of interest to tourists are located in it:
Russian Orthodox Cathedral
The cathedral was originally built of stone in 1872, when Karakol was a garrison city on the border of the imperial empire. It was destroyed in 1890 by an earthquake, and the current cathedral was built of wood on a brick foundation. The construction lasted 6 years, and was completed in 1895. After the revolution of 1917, the building was used as an educational center, gym, theater, ballroom and even a coal warehouse. Then, in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the declaration of Kyrgyzstan as independent, the building was again transferred to the Orthodox diocese. 
Dungan mosque
The Issyk-Kul central mosque of the city of Karakol was built by the Beijing architect Chu Seu in the traditional Chinese style. The construction of the mosque began in 1904 and ended in 1910. The mosque was built without a single nail, and is a monument of wooden architecture. In the period from 1929 to 1947 the mosque was used as a warehouse, in 1947 it was transferred to the Muslim community. The mosque is currently open to visitors.
Przewalski Museum
Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky is one of the first Russian geographic scientists who began to study the geography, flora and fauna of the countries of Central Asia. Since 1870, he organized 4 major expeditions to Mongolia, China and Tibet. He discovered and described more than 200 species of plants. He also collected a giant zoological collection. He died of typhus in 1988, was buried on the shore of Issyk-Kul near the city of Karakol. The Przhevalsky Museum opened in 1957 near the grave of the scientist.
Salt Lake Issyk-Kul /
Salt Lake is located at the southern tip of Issyk-Kul. It has a unique microclimate. Presumably, earlier it was part of Issyk-Kul, but then it separated from the main lake, and the salt concentration increased due to evaporation.
The chemical composition of the lake is close to the composition of water in the Dead Sea.
The lake is small in size, but it is difficult to cross, because due to the high salinity it is impossible to swim there. Here, as in the Dead Sea, you can read a newspaper lying on the water. The shores are covered with dark mud, considered healing. Around the lake there are picturesque canyons where you can take pictures.
Gorge of seven bulls (Jets-Oguz) /
Picturesque red rocks on the east coast of Issyk-Kul. If you go further, you can see the beautiful falls Maiden's Tears. In the gorge they offer horse riding, tea drinking in a yurt, koumiss.
Here you can cheaply buy delicious mountain honey.
It is impossible to tell about all the sights of Issyk-Kul in one article. Stay tuned for updates on the site. And if you are planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan - write questions in the comments, I will try to answer them.
One of the symbols of Kyrgyzstan is the legendary Issyk-Kul Lake. This huge lake, located high in the mountains, has crystal clear water. For many kilometers stretches its transparent blue surface. Issyk-Kul replaces the sea for all Central Asians. Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and Uzbeks come here.
General information about Issyk-Kul Lake
To find out where Issyk-Kul Lake is located, you can use the Google map, which can even determine the coordinates of the reservoir. They are 42.26 p. w. 77.11.00 in. The length of Lake Issyk-Kul totals 182 km, and its width reaches 58–60 km, its area is 6330 square meters. km The maximum depth of the reservoir reaches 702 meters, its height above sea level - 1608 meters. 
Due to the fact that more than 50 rivers flow into the lake, and not one flows out of it, a lot of mineral substances are concentrated in it and the water here is salty like in the sea. Salinity in ppm reaches almost 6. In winter, the lake does not freeze due to the great depth and high concentration of mineral salts, the water temperature during this period does not drop below 2-3 degrees Celsius. Only in some places of the bays during particularly cold winters can water become covered with ice. 
A variety of fish are found in the pond. In Soviet times, several hatcheries operated here that supported a population of rare and expensive fish varieties: trout, pike perch, bream and many others. But now fishing is attracting many tourists to these parts.
Leisure and attractions
The pond has a unique pristine nature. On its shore, old-fashioned settlements and cities alternating with a rich history and culture, as well as teeming with unusual sights, alternate. There are sanatoriums, children's camps, camp sites and various complexes designed to relax and restore health. 
North coast
Issyk-Kul Lake is famous for its beauty, but there are still many interesting things in its vicinity. For example, on the north side, an unusual Rukh-Ordo complex (spiritual center) is built, the main purpose of which is to prove that God is one. At the entrance to it, 5 almost identical white chapels and museum exhibits symbolizing the main world religions immediately catch your eye:
- islam;
- orthodoxy
- buddhism;
- catholicism;
- judaism.
In the cities known as popular resorts, Cholpon-Ata and Bosteri, located five kilometers from each other, vacationers are provided with all the conditions necessary for proper relaxation and entertainment. For example, in the city of Boster there is a huge Ferris Wheel, which allows you to easily see the entire coast of Issyk-Kul. There is also a water park and many different attractions. Cholpon Ata is famous for its unique museums, numerous restaurants and cafes. 
Not far from these cities are located mineral springs equipped with comfortable outdoor pools. There are also beautiful unique gorges where tourists go in droves every summer, where they take interesting photos, admire the surrounding landscapes and take away with them love for the Issyk-Kul region forever. 
On the north shore of the lake, the climate for relaxation is more favorable, and the swimming season lasts longer than on the opposite south coast. There are a lot of resorts, as well as private pensions and small hotels. The beaches are sandy, sometimes pebbles are found in places, or are completely covered with clean fine sand, so relaxation and swimming in the lake are more convenient here.
In the upcoming season of 2017, Issyk-Kul Lake is waiting for its fans for a summer vacation. There is no sweltering heat, as in the Black Sea, but the lake warms up quite well - up to 24 degrees. Water in its unique composition, purity and transparency is second only to Baikal. No wonder these regions are called the second Switzerland. 
South coast
On the south side, the natural landscape is richer and striking in variety, the coast is rocky and uncomfortable for swimming, but the water is much cleaner and more transparent. There are fewer vacationers, mini-hotels and pensions. The most visited places are Tamga and Kaji-Sai. In the village of Tamga there is a military sanatorium. 
Few travelers know that on the south side of the lake there is a Kyrgyz Dead Sea - Salt Lake. So it is called because of the mineral composition of water. The size of the lake is about three hundred meters in width and five hundred meters in length. The bottom depth is an average of 2-3 meters. Water is saturated with trace elements.
Plunging into the lake, vacationers experience a feeling of weightlessness, as in the Dead Sea. It is impossible to drown in such water, it literally pushes to the surface. The properties of the water of the Salt Lake are in no way inferior to the healing water of the Dead Sea in Israel. In just a few days, you can improve your health. 
The south side of the lake is famous for its beautiful landscapes. The most beautiful gorge is located here, not only on the Issyk-Kul coast, but throughout Central Asia. It is called Fairy Valley. Wind and water have created here truly amazing and unusual landscapes, the description of which is impossible in simple human words. These are one of the most ancient mountains of Kyrgyzstan, which took thousands of years to form. The mountain folds are similar to pictures depicting fancy castles built of white clay. Found shells remind that once there was an ancient sea. 
The southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul is more suitable for those who can appreciate the beauty of pristine nature. There are almost no sandy beaches, in most cases it is small pebbles, turning into large boulders. But the southern coast is very picturesque, the nature of Issyk-Kul has become its main attraction. Here you can take wonderful photos that will long keep the memory of an amazing adventure. 
Secrets and history of Issyk-Kul Lake
The waters of Issyk-Kul are fraught with many unsolved mysteries. Over many centuries and millennia, the lake’s surface has repeatedly sank and rose again. When once again the Issyk-Kul Lake exceeded its borders, all the cities and settlements that were located in its vicinity absorbed its waters on its way. So at the bottom there were many villages of ancient people. And in them, researchers find household items that belong not only to different time periods, but also to different cultures. 
Historians attribute this to the fact that trade caravans passed through this place in antiquity and in the Middle Ages. Due to the fact that the Silk Road ran there, on the bottom of the lake and in its vicinity during archaeological research there are signs of almost all of humanity. In total, at the bottom of Issyk-Kul, there are up to hundreds of local objects, large and small, which can be identified as a settlement. 
Legend of the lake
Kyrgyzstan keeps many legends about the amazing and wonderful Lake Issyk-Kul. Here is one of them that explains the origin of the reservoir. A very long time ago, on the very spot where the waves of Lake Issyk-Kul splash, there was a huge beautiful city with magnificent palaces and numerous streets and houses where ordinary people huddled. But suddenly the earth began to give a jolt, and an earthquake of unprecedented power began, which spared neither people nor buildings. Everything was destroyed, and the earth itself fell, and in this place a hollow formed, which was filled with water. So a deep lake appeared on the site of the city. 
A few girls from this city, early in the morning, shortly before the earthquake, went high up into the mountains for brushwood, and that is why they remained alive. They began to mourn their dead relatives and friends, who were buried at the bottom of the lake. Every day they came ashore and poured hot tears there, which flowed in streams into Lake Issyk-Kul. There were so many of them that the water in it became as bitter and salty as the tears of the girls.
Basic moments
Issyk-Kul is one of the deepest lakes in the world, located in the north-east of Kyrgyzstan in the Tien Shan mountains at an altitude of 1600 meters. The lake reaches a length of 180 km, and its width varies from 30 to 60 km. The average depth of the lake is 300 meters, but in some places it reaches 700 meters. The lake is second only to Baikal in purity and transparency of water. Thanks to the huge thickness of the water, the lake does not have time to cool and never freezes. About 80 rivers and tributaries flowing into the Tien Shan glaciers flow into Issyk-Kul. But there are no drains from the lake, and it accumulates all the valuable mineral substances brought by rivers and rains.
Beautiful scenery of the lake
The climate in the vicinity of Issyk-Kul is temperate marine. The sun pleases with its appearance more often than on the Black Sea coast. But there is no sweltering southern heat, and in winter there are no frosts. The average summer temperature is +24 ° C, the water warms up to +22 ... + 24 degrees. In winter, the thermometer rarely drops below 6 degrees below zero.
Hundreds of thousands of birds hibernate or rest on an ice-free lake during flights, and nature lovers will spend many exciting hours observing them.
Why go
Issyk-Kul provides incredible opportunities for relaxation and recreation - the purest mountain-sea air, thermal springs available all year round, healing mud and healing mineral water. For a good rest, a year-round tourist infrastructure has been created here - comfortable housing, well-maintained sandy beaches, cafes, cinemas, discos, boat and catamaran rental. Guests of Issyk-Kul are offered fascinating excursions to places not touched by civilization. Fans of outdoor activities will be happy to take part in mountain climbing, hiking and horseback riding, rafting. For those who want to see the underwater world, dives are organized in the lake to a depth of more than 20 meters. And hang gliding over the beautiful Issyk-Kul will be one of the most exciting adventures in your life!
Fishermen will appreciate fishing on the lake - bream, carp, trout, tench, carp are found here.
There are only a few places on Earth with such a unique microclimate - the air contains a huge amount of iodine ions, sea salts, ozone, and Issyk-Kul water is a truly magical treasure - it contains all the useful chemical elements and trace elements that, coupled with a weak alkaline reaction, a powerful healing effect on the human body.
Beach resort TamchyResorts & Attractions
The northern coast of Issyk-Kul is more comfortable, there are a lot of hotels for every taste and good entertainment infrastructure for guests. Here is the resort of Cholpon-Ata, the mineral waters of which are similar in composition to the Essentuki springs. Local silt and hydrogen sulfide muds are famous for their analgesic and antibacterial properties. Noteworthy are local attractions, a water park and a 70-meter ferris wheel. In the vicinity of Cholpon-Ata, look at the Stone Garden, where you will see the unique ruins of the city during the Great Silk Road.
Not far from Cholpon Ata is the village of Bosteri, known for its fair and local apricots, cherries, honey.
For a relaxing family vacation, the village of Bulan-Sogotu is perfect.
In the village of Korumdu, you can see an ethnographic zone with ancient petroglyphs.
The shallow beach near the village of Sara-oh will satisfy vacationers with children.
Near the village of Ak-Suu you can plunge into unique springs - although they are next to each other, the water in them differs in composition (hydrogen sulfide and radon) and in temperature (from +32 to +50).
Esoteric fans consider it their duty to reach the local shrine of Tanga Tash, three gigantic stones lying a kilometer apart.
A 5-hour drive from Issyk-Kul lies the Dead Lake with healing mud and so salty water that it is impossible to drown in this reservoir. The chemical composition of the lake water is equivalent to the water of the Dead Sea in Israel. Local mud is very effective in the treatment of colds and skin diseases. If you gather here, be prepared for the fact that the lake is not equipped at all, on its shores there are only yurts where you will be offered dishes of the national Kyrgyz cuisine. In no case do not try to take out the water - for this they are punished with a large fine.
To the east of Issyk-Kul there is the legendary Sentash pass - it was here that Tamerlan ordered to pour his famous stone heaps.
Be sure to go on an excursion to at least one of the most beautiful local gorges - Dzhety-Oguz with a zoological reserve and hydrogen sulfide springs; Barskhan along which the Great Silk Road ran; Boom with a botanical reserve; Barskaun with magnificent waterfalls and a monument to Yuri Gagarin, who loved to visit these places.
Accommodation
It offers tourists more than two hundred sanatoriums with an excellent medical base, boarding houses, rest houses, mini-hotels. Those who want to get as close to nature as possible and enjoy the local exotic are offered traditional Kyrgyz yurts for living.
View of the Tien Shan mountains
Useful information
- Do not buy alcohol in the markets and in small shops - there is a danger of buying counterfeit products.
- During forest walks do not eat unfamiliar berries and plants, do not pick mushrooms unknown to you.
- It is more profitable to buy souvenirs and things not at Issyk-Kul, but at the Dordoi Bishkek market.
How to get there
By plane we fly to Bishkek or Alma-Ata, then by bus or train we go to Issyk-Kul. It will take 4 hours from Bishkek, 8 hours from Almaty. To cross the borders of Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan, a passport of the Russian Federation is enough.
The author - Oksana_Lyutova. This is a quote from this post.
Mountain Lake Issyk-KulThe most beautiful and largest lake in Central Asia is Issyk-Kul Lake. It is located between the ranges of the Northern Tien Shan: Kungei Ala-Too (facing the sun) and Terskey Ala-Too (facing from the sun) at an altitude of 1609 m above sea level. Issyk-Kul is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world.
The lake is incredibly beautiful. For this reason, it is called the "Pearl of Kyrgyzstan." Greater transparency and bright sunshine change the color of the water of Issyk-Kul Lake from pale blue to dark blue tones. In winter, the water temperature is + 4.2-5.0 °.
There are many legends and myths about the origin of Lake Issyk-Kul. Here are the three most common legends.
In July and August, the upper layers of the water are heated to + 18-20 °. Even in the coldest winters, the lake does not freeze. Magnificent views of the snowy peaks open from the north shore of the lake. Eighty rivers and streams flow into the lake, but the lake has no runoff, so the water in the lake is salty.
There are beliefs about cities buried under the waters of Issyk-Kul. The mountains around the lake are practically unexplored.
The basin of the lake, surrounded on all sides by powerful mountain ranges, remained for a long time an inaccessible region of Kyrgyzstan. Now you can get here on the road through the famous Boom Gorge, there are also 2 airports in the basin: Cholpon-Ata, located near the resort town, and Tamchi International Airport, which was built and opened in the summer of 2003 at the military airport.
Here are some figures about this unique place, attracting an increasing number of tourists: the volume of all water is 1738 km2, the area of \u200b\u200bthe water mirror is 6236 km2, the length of the coastline is 688 km, the average depth is 278 m, the greatest depth is almost 2.5 times more and equals 668 m, the length of Issyk-Kul from West to East is 182 km, and from South to North - 58 km. Over the past two centuries, the level of Issyk-Kul has been falling and, as a result, both the depth and the length of the coastline have been decreasing. According to the Great Soviet Encyclopedia from 1886 it fell by 4 m, according to other sources, by 9 m.
In depth and volume of water, it has no equal in the world among alpine lakes. Issyk-Kul is rightfully the second largest alpine lake, after Lake Titicaca located in Chile.
Due to the great depth of the lake, the water does not have time to completely cool - the lake never freezes, except on some coasts. Issyk-Kul in translation from Kyrgyz - "Hot Lake". The ancient Kirghiz called this pearl of the country "Tuz-Kul" - "Salt Lake" for the brackish taste of water, which is not suitable for drinking either for people or for animals.
The lake belongs to the formed tectonic path and due to the orographic closure of the basin - the climate here is peculiar, almost marine. It is softer, warmer and wetter than in other Tien Shan depressions located at the same height.
According to the thermal regime, Issyk-Kul is a subtropical lake. Here, on the coast of the lake in summer it is moderately warm, in winter it is not cold. The average air temperature in January is minus 2 - minus 10 degrees, in July - plus 17 - plus 18. The average water temperature in summer is plus 21 - plus 23, in winter - minus 3 - minus 4. The western part of the basin is arid, rains are rare, snow almost does not fall out. In the western mountains bordering the lake, only 115 mm of precipitation falls, on the eastern shore - about 600 mm. However, in recent years the amount of precipitation has increased - in Kyrgyzstan, the influence of Global warming is also noticeable.
More than 80 rivers and tributaries flow into the lake, but not a single river takes its waters from this azure lake, which causes the accumulation of salts (water mineralization - 5.90%). The largest rivers flowing into the lake are Tyup (103 km) and Jergalan (81 km), the rest do not exceed 50 km. Once, the Chu River, flowing along the western edge of the basin, carried its waters to the lake.
The contrast of natural zones is varied: in the east it is steppes on dark chestnut soils, along the mountain slopes in the west it is a semi-desert, but in the east, at the same heights, especially along the Terskey Ala-Too gorges, there are dense spruce forests. The organic world of the lake is also diverse - about 20 species of fish live here, 10 of which are acclimatized. Issyk-Kul is inhabited by: chebak, common carp, marinka, osman, zander, bream, mirror carp, grass carp, Amurdarya and Sivan trout, whitefish and other fish.
The first to be explored by the great Russian traveler P.P. Semenov-Tian-Shansky. He wrote about Issyk-Kul: “It is difficult to imagine something grander than the landscape, which appears to the traveler from Kungei across the lake to the Heavenly Range. The dark blue surface of Issyk-Kul can safely compete with the same blue surface of Lake Geneva, it seemed to me on the western side of Kungei is almost unlimited in the East, and the incomparable grandeur of the last plan of the landscape gives it such grandeur that Lake Geneva does not have. "
The famous Russian traveler and scientist, explorer of Central Asia, N. M. Przhevalsky, was in love with this land and asked to be buried on the lake. Having seen the beauty of Kyrgyzstan, he said: "This is the same Switzerland, only better." After the death of Przhevalsky, a city was named in his honor, located next to the grave of a traveler. Then, after the collapse of the USSR, Prezhevalsk was renamed to Karakol. There is a museum of Prezhevalsky in the city.
Issyk-Kul attracts a huge number of tourists from Kazakhstan, Russia, other parts of the CIS, as well as foreign tourists. On the coast of the lake there are resorts operating year-round, where you can not only have a great rest, but also improve your health.Issyk-Kul Lake