Standing on the shores of the high-mountainous Issyk-Kul and peering into its endless blue, it is hard to believe that this is not the sea: the scale of the Kyrgyz lake, protected by the Tien Shan mountains, is so impressive. It is one of the largest and deepest lakes on the planet, its landscapes fascinate, and natural resources heal from ailments. It is good here at any time of the year, the beaches are not yet bursting at the seams, and there is enough entertainment – it turns out that Issyk-Kul is better than another sea. “Subtlety” counted five proofs of this at once. The water in the lake does not freeze even in winter frosts and is so transparent that the bottom can be seen from a height. The waters of the mountain rivers that feed the Issyk-Kul are crystal clear and are close in composition to Caucasian mineral springs. They are also responsible for the color of the water surface – all shades of blue, replacing each other. The lake is brackish, but it’s not sea salt at all: after swimming, you don’t want to take a shower as soon as possible. The beach season lasts from mid-June to early September, the best beaches are located in Cholpon-Ata and Bosteri. The entrance to the water is gentle, the sand is fine and clean, amenities are available. Is it true, why not the sea? Holidays in Issyk-Kul are considered budget: you can find inexpensive accommodation, food prices and transport moderate. Oh yes, it is very picturesque here, wherever you look: monumental mountain ranges, hazy gorges, bright alpine meadows and coniferous forests. Fairy Tale Canyon – red clay rocks of bizarre shapes, covered with a flower carpet in summer. Waterfalls roar in the Barskoon gorge, in the Jety-Oguz valley rise the Seven Ox Ridge and the Broken Heart Rock, where lovers confess their feelings to each other in the hope of finding happiness for life. There is even an analogue of the Israeli Dead Sea with such a concentration of salt that it is impossible to drown. 
1. Pure water
2. The beauty of the surroundings
3. Cool excursions
Everything is serious and real here, no remake. You can get acquainted with the ancient history of these places in the “Stone Garden” near Cholpon-Ata, where thousand-year-old boulders with petroglyphs have been preserved. Chapels of five religions — Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism peacefully coexist in the Rukh Ordo cultural center. Tamga-Tash is a sacred place, a chain of three huge stones with engraved Tibetan inscriptions. The San-Tash mound is a monument to the fallen soldiers of Tamerlane, and the mausoleum of Gumbez Manas was erected in the 14th century over the grave of the emir's daughter (although people still believe that this is the resting place of the legendary batyr Manas, and the emir's daughter was invented to avert eyes).< ul class="neo-gallery__list">
Boundless Issyk-Kul is a fishing paradise with trophy bream, carp and carp, trout and, what is especially valuable, endemic species fish.
4. Entertainment and sports
Endless Issyk-Kul is a fishing paradise with trophy bream, carp and carp, trout and, what is especially valuable, endemic fish species. Divers are attracted by ancient settlements lost at the bottom with destroyed buildings and valuable artifacts – from household items to jewelry. Here they fly on hang-gliders (of course not, with such and such views!), ride horses, raft down the rivers. The local cafes (in the literal sense of the word, authentic, often arranged right in yurts) serve beshbarmak, pilaf and lagman, samsa and manti, tandoor cakes – and, of course, real koumiss. Holidays in Issyk-Kul are considered budget: you can find inexpensive accommodation, food and transport prices are moderate. At the same time, the infrastructure is developed, the locals are hospitable, there is no language barrier.
What else to read on the topic
- What do the Kyrgyz think about Russians? 4 sudden facts
- Almost like in the Maldives: 7 Russian beaches, not much inferior to paradise islands
- No worse than the Norwegian fjords: 6 places in Russia where it is breathtakingly beautiful
5. Opportunity to improve health
The waters of Issyk-Kul, saturated with useful elements, mineral springs, thermal wells, silt mud of the Dead Lake are natural cures for many diseases. Diseases of the nervous and endocrine, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive organs, and skin are treated here. The largest local hospitals are located in the vicinity of Cholpon-Ata and Bosteri, Tamchi and Chok-Tala.
