Arzhan is a healing spring. 478 km of the Chuisky tract. Arzhan-Suu (Southern Alt. - “holy water”) - a spring, a natural monument. It is located on the right bank of the Katun, near the village of Manzherok. Republic of Altai. The water comes out of the bedrock slope of the river valley. Katun at an altitude of 340 m. The source is located in the extreme western spur of the Iolgo ridge, in the area of a deep fault and emerges from rock cracks in several places and after a couple of tens of meters forms a single stream. It has several names: “Arzhap-Suu”, “Shoferskoy”, “Golden Key”. This is one of the most popular sources of the Altai Mountains. The water of the source is hydrocarbonate-calcium-magnesium containing silver (the so-called “living water”) and 4 ml/l of divalent iron (“dead water”), the content of which is higher than in the sources of Essentuki and Borjomi. Water also contains copper and manganese, is stored for a long time and, most importantly, has a beneficial effect on improving metabolic processes in the body. Water temperature - 7-8°C. Local residents consider the spring holy. Arzhan-suu is a popular place. Next to it there are cafes and souvenir shops. There are shaman trees all around, decorated with white ribbons. This is an ancient custom of the Altai people in honor of the local gods. Almost all holy places in Altai look this way (springs, passes). You can only tie a clean fabric 20cm long and 5cm wide; the fabric must be in light colors only: white, yellow, blue or pink. Near the Arzhan-Suu spring there is a road bridge to the left bank of the Katun, leading to the Turquoise Katun tourist complex.
The source is located 8 km from the village. Manzherok, Maiminsky district along the Chuisky tract. It emerges from the bedrock slope of the river valley. Katun at an altitude of 340 m. It has several names: “Arzhap-Suu”, “Shoferskoy”, “Golden Key”. "Arzhan-Suu" literally means "mineral water" (Alt. suu - water).
Since 1961, it was considered the only silver-containing source near the Chuisky tract, which served as the basis for approving it in 1978 as a natural monument of the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Region. The status of a natural monument was confirmed by the Decree of the Government of the Altai Republic dated February 16, 1996.
The unique picturesque landscape determines the recreational value of the object; the source is a monitoring point for studying the dynamics.
The source is located at the bottom of the steep side of the river valley. Katun in the extreme western spur of the Iolgo ridge. Here the spur approaches the river bed almost closely. Collected in a metal pipe, the source crosses the Chuisky tract and is the right tributary of the river. Katun. The area where the source emerges belongs to the area of a deep fault that cuts the Vendcambrian base of the northern wing of the Katun anticlinorium. Along the Katun River there are strips of alluvium that make up the floodplain and above-floodplain terraces. The water-bearing rocks are limestones and metamorphic basalts, sometimes overlain by sandy loams and loams.
In the area of the source, the climate is quite mild. The average temperature in January is -13 degrees C, in July - 18 degrees C. Hair dryers often blow. The average wind speed in the winter months is 4-5 m/sec. In summer - 1-2 m/sec. The annual precipitation is about 500 mm.
The source is descending, diffuse type. Water flows out of bedrock cracks in several places and after 20-30 m forms a single stream with a flow rate of 6-10 cubic dm/sec. The fluctuation in flow rate between the main seasons of the year is 1-2 cubic dm/sec.
The study of the source began in 1961 by E.V. Chechegoeva. Later, in 1982, according to the Hydrogeological Administration "Geominvod" and the Moscow Research Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy (MNIIKiF), the source water was assigned to the hydro-carbonate class of the calcium-magnesium group:
In addition, the following were found in the source water: silicic acid (12.2 mg/dm3), strontium (0.34 mg/dm3), zinc (0.12 mg/dm3).
In the 90s, the Tomsk Research Institute of Culture and Physics made an attempt to classify the source waters based on the content of organic matter (Corg. 4.1 - 14.4 mg/dm3) to the VIII group of mineral waters, low-mineralized with a high content of organic substances. Representatives of this group are waters of the Naftusya type (Truskavets). Based on this, it was concluded that it is necessary to fully identify the source water and conduct in-depth studies of the functional composition of organic substances in water with the identification of their genetic nature. The following were identified in the source water: antimony, copper, lead, zinc, bismuth, and silver.
Since 1992, the hydrochemical regime and chemical composition of the source water have been systematically studied by the research chemical-ecological laboratory of the State University of State University.
Hydrocarbonate-calcium-magnesium water.
According to 1998 data, the source water contains: NH4 (1.2 mg/dm3), NO3 (5.6 mg/dm3), N02 (0.04 mg/dm3), phenols and other substances of anthropogenic origin, which indicates about the deterioration of its environmental condition.
According to N.B. Ermakov, in the vicinity of the spring there are pine tall grass-grass-bracken forests. Tree stand with an admixture of birch; the undergrowth consists of solitary bird cherry, Siberian mountain ash, common viburnum, and meadowsweet. In the herbaceous layer the most abundant are:
common bracken, female kochedednik, northern aconite, as well as cereals - reed grass:
reedy, blunted, spreading pine; sedges: Arnelle, big-tailed, common sedge, Krylov's bedstraw, hairy sedge. Here you can also find nemoral species that have a relict habitat in Altai: far eastern fescue, giant fescue; bipetalum parisis.
Along the banks of the spring, in the forest area, the white hare is common among large mammals. Among the insectivores there are: common and common shrews, several species of bats, mainly bats; three species of forest voles, voles, chipmunks and wood mice. The common reptiles are the sand lizard and the common viper. Birds are represented mainly by passerines. Among the various insects, diurnal butterflies attract attention. Swallowtails are quite common, nymphalids and whitefishes are varied. Hawthorn is abundant in open areas and along roads in early summer. Here you can also find the flower eye and the roadside edge-eye.There is a legend according to which one hunter mortally wounded a deer in the mountains.
But the beast did not fall, but quickly galloped away, as if life had no intention of leaving it. The hunter noticed horns with precious stones on the head of the wounded deer and rushed after him, not wanting to miss such treasures.
Bleeding, the wounded deer ran to the Arzhan-Suu spring and ran into the water. While the hunter was descending from the mountain, the animal’s wound healed. The deer jumped out of the water and rushed away faster than the wind. The hunter was very surprised by this and threw dried grayling into the water. The fish came to life and swam, moving its fins. The hunter threw an otter skin into the water. The otter emerged and swam just like the grayling.
Then the hunter realized that the source of Arzhan-Suu gives strength and life to everyone.
Visiting hours:
Reserve and recreational
Organization responsible for security.
8 km from the village of Manzherok, a transparent spring gushes out of rock cracks - the Arzhan-Suu spring. This is one of the most popular and mystical places in Altai. It's difficult to drive past. There are always a lot of cars and buses on the highway. Every guest of Altai strives to visit the famous spring.
Translated from Altai “arzhan-suu” means “silver water”. Indeed, the water here has a high content of silver ions, and there is even more divalent iron in it than in the famous Essentuki. An ancient Altai legend tells about the healing properties of the Arzhan-Suu spring.
In ancient times, there were many deer - mountain deer - in these places. These were very beautiful animals with powerful branched horns and smooth fur. One day a hunter spent a long time chasing a beautiful large deer with amazingly beautiful horns. He even managed to wound the animal, but the deer gathered all his strength and tried to escape from the hunter along the mountain paths. The hunter really wanted to take possession of the beautiful deer antlers. They ran for a long time along the rocks and gorges, the deer became completely weak, and then he headed to the Arzhan-suu spring. He reached a steep cliff and ran into the water. While the hunter carefully went down to the source, the wounds on the animal’s body healed, and with renewed vigor he took off running and in a few moments disappeared into the thickets so that no trace could be found.
The hunter was surprised at such a miraculous healing. He found dried grayling in his knapsack, which he took with him to eat while hunting. He threw the fish into the water. A second later, the fish moved its fins and swam away alive and unharmed. Then the hunter took the tanned otter skin from his shoulder and also threw it into the water. Not even a moment passed before the otter came to life and swam away after the grayling.
Since then, the miraculous water of the Arzhan-Suu spring has been known far beyond Altai. Well, if you make a wish near the spring, it will definitely come true. It just has to be kind and most intimate.
Today, next to the Arzhan-Suu spring, there is the largest souvenir market in Altai. Here everyone will find something for themselves that will remind them of the distant and beautiful Altai.
Today I will tell you about the 2017 ascents to the peaks of Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola (4082 m) and Russian Shater (4117 m), which are located in the Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola massif, in the south of Ukok in Altai. I have been going to these peaks almost every year since 2009. Our plans usually include the peak Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola (the name of which we sometimes shorten to Tabyn for simplicity) with a height of 4082 m, but under good weather conditions and time to spare, we usually have time to climb the second peak Russian Shater with a height of 4117 m , which is located a kilometer from the first. This year, a group of nine people initially gathered for this ascent, but at the last moment four of the nine refused, and in the end a group of only five remained. All five are from different cities, did not know each other before, all have different physical training and experience, and different motivation. Nevertheless, we all climbed both peaks, which I consider a completely successful result. The ascent begins from the camp at an altitude of 3000 m, where we arrive on foot from Dzhazator, accompanied by a horse caravan that carries our things. This journey takes five days, and it is very important, since during this time everyone “gets” in physical shape, gets acclimatized and turns into a team. The ascent usually begins at 6 am. For the first 30-40 minutes we walk along the stone moraine, then we put on our crampons, form a group and go out onto the glacier. When we walked along the flat part of the glacier, the wind brought cloud caps onto the Russian Shater and Tabyn. As we ascended to the crack zone, the caps became denser and the wind at the top intensified, occasionally blowing up the gaps. At some point we discussed whether we should abort the climb and try again the next day in the hope of better weather. In general, the scenario of 2016 was repeated, when we climbed the Russian Tent, stood there for several minutes under a hurricane wind in dense clouds and went down. A small difference was that the wind still sometimes blew the clouds over the Russian Tent and the top opened for 30-40 seconds. I proposed to postpone this decision until an altitude of 3600 m, until a stop on the rocks, after which the most difficult section begins - a long climb up the slope with a fairly large slope, where it is impossible to fully rest. We passed the glacier and the crack zone relatively quickly, and this gave us hope that we would also overcome the last section. While we were sitting on the rocks and drinking tea, it became completely clear that it was worth going only to the Russian Tent, since there were gaps in the clouds above it, and the top of Tabyn was tightly covered in clouds all the time. Here at a rest stop, one of the participants in the ascent, Olga, offered to stay and wait for our return from the ascent, but I found some necessary words for her, and she went with us. Usually on the last long climb we walk at a pace of 50 steps, rest for a minute and restore our breathing. And with increasing altitude, these rests become longer. This year there was almost no snow and the trail in this section was easy for me, and everyone, including Olga, walked quite well. The last section before reaching the rocks is relatively steep, but from them to the top there are already several tens of meters left. When we reached these stones, I was surprised to see human figures on the top; I thought that these were most likely Mongolian climbers, since there were no climbers on our side. This turned out to be partly true. Yes, they came from the Mongolian side, but they were our compatriots from Novosibirsk. They made a traverse from the Potanin glacier. Today they started from the top of the Cities of Heroes 3911 m, after the Russian Tent they planned to go to Tabyn and go down to their camp on the Potanin glacier. They were also surprised to see us, and also to the fact that we were traveling light and came out today from the green. We spent some time at the top together. A strong wind was blowing, there were almost no gaps in the clouds, and plans to climb Tabyn also seemed very illusory. The Novosibirsk residents went down to the col between the Russian Tent and Tabyn, and we stayed on the top for some more time, wanting to wait for a clearing and look down from the top. And we waited for this breakthrough. Moreover, this was not a short-term clearing, but a global one - the clouds rose, first the whole of Ukok became visible, then Malchin Peak, and then Tabyn. Novosibirsk residents went for it, as it became clear that the weather was changing for the better. All these changes happened in just 10-15 minutes. The wind had died down significantly, the sun was shining and I didn’t want to leave the summit, I waited for the shots of the ascending sequence on Tabyn and waited. There was still plenty of time, and we also decided to go to Tabyn. Passing the saddle, Olga once again timidly tried to stay there and wait for us, but I again found something to tell her, and she continued climbing. Now I don’t even remember what I used to lure her in :). From the saddle to the top it is only 80 m in height. It was simply a pleasure to walk them along the steps, which were filled with Novosibirsk residents. When we arrived at the top of Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola, the clouds had risen even higher and Kiytyn (4374 m) was already completely open - the highest point of Mongolia and the entire Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola massif. After enjoying these views and taking pictures of the summit, we went down; the weather began to deteriorate again. The most dangerous section of the entire descent was the section descending to the rocks at 3600 m, since there was almost no snow here, and the slope was quite good. We passed it quite quickly and without incident, and the further descent also passed without incident. We were already at the camp at about six in the evening, so the entire ascent took about twelve hours. I would like to say a big thank you for everything to all the participants in this ascent, as well as to the Spirits of the mountains, who gave us the opportunity to stand on these two peaks and let us go in peace.
Arzhan is a healing spring. 478 km of the Chuisky tract. Arzhan-Suu (Southern Alt. - “holy water”) - a spring, a natural monument. It is located on the right bank of the Katun, near the village of Manzherok. Republic of Altai. The water comes out of the bedrock slope of the river valley. Katun at an altitude of 340 m. The source is located in the extreme western spur of the Iolgo ridge, in the area of a deep fault and emerges from rock cracks in several places and after a couple of tens of meters forms a single stream. It has several names: “Arzhap-Suu”, “Shoferskoy”, “Golden Key”. This is one of the most popular sources of the Altai Mountains. The water of the source is hydrocarbonate-calcium-magnesium containing silver (the so-called “living water”) and 4 ml/l of divalent iron (“dead water”), the content of which is higher than in the sources of Essentuki and Borjomi. Water also contains copper and manganese, is stored for a long time and, most importantly, has a beneficial effect on improving metabolic processes in the body. Water temperature - 7-8°C. Local residents consider the spring holy. Arzhan-suu is a popular place. Next to it there are cafes and souvenir shops. There are shaman trees all around, decorated with white ribbons. This is an ancient custom of the Altai people in honor of the local gods. Almost all holy places in Altai look this way (springs, passes). You can only tie a clean fabric 20cm long and 5cm wide; the fabric must be in light colors only: white, yellow, blue or pink. Near the Arzhan-Suu spring there is a road bridge to the left bank of the Katun, leading to the Turquoise Katun tourist complex.
The source is located 8 km from the village. Manzherok, Maiminsky district along the Chuisky tract. It emerges from the bedrock slope of the river valley. Katun at an altitude of 340 m. It has several names: “Arzhap-Suu”, “Shoferskoy”, “Golden Key”. "Arzhan-Suu" literally means "mineral water" (Alt. suu - water).
Since 1961, it was considered the only silver-containing source near the Chuisky tract, which served as the basis for approving it in 1978 as a natural monument of the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Region. The status of a natural monument was confirmed by the Decree of the Government of the Altai Republic dated February 16, 1996.
The unique picturesque landscape determines the recreational value of the object; the source is a monitoring point for studying the dynamics.
The source is located at the bottom of the steep side of the river valley. Katun in the extreme western spur of the Iolgo ridge. Here the spur approaches the river bed almost closely. Collected in a metal pipe, the source crosses the Chuisky tract and is the right tributary of the river. Katun. The area where the source emerges belongs to the area of a deep fault that cuts the Vendcambrian base of the northern wing of the Katun anticlinorium. Along the Katun River there are strips of alluvium that make up the floodplain and above-floodplain terraces. The water-bearing rocks are limestones and metamorphic basalts, sometimes overlain by sandy loams and loams.
In the area of the source, the climate is quite mild. The average temperature in January is -13 degrees C, in July - 18 degrees C. Hair dryers often blow. The average wind speed in the winter months is 4-5 m/sec. In summer - 1-2 m/sec. The annual precipitation is about 500 mm.
The source is descending, diffuse type. Water flows out of bedrock cracks in several places and after 20-30 m forms a single stream with a flow rate of 6-10 cubic dm/sec. The fluctuation in flow rate between the main seasons of the year is 1-2 cubic dm/sec.
The study of the source began in 1961 by E.V. Chechegoeva. Later, in 1982, according to the Hydrogeological Administration "Geominvod" and the Moscow Research Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy (MNIIKiF), the source water was assigned to the hydro-carbonate class of the calcium-magnesium group:
In addition, the following were found in the source water: silicic acid (12.2 mg/dm3), strontium (0.34 mg/dm3), zinc (0.12 mg/dm3).
In the 90s, the Tomsk Research Institute of Culture and Physics made an attempt to classify the source waters based on the content of organic matter (Corg. 4.1 - 14.4 mg/dm3) to the VIII group of mineral waters, low-mineralized with a high content of organic substances. Representatives of this group are waters of the Naftusya type (Truskavets). Based on this, it was concluded that it is necessary to fully identify the source water and conduct in-depth studies of the functional composition of organic substances in water with the identification of their genetic nature. The following were identified in the source water: antimony, copper, lead, zinc, bismuth, and silver.
Since 1992, the hydrochemical regime and chemical composition of the source water have been systematically studied by the research chemical-ecological laboratory of the State University of State University.
Hydrocarbonate-calcium-magnesium water.
According to 1998 data, the source water contains: NH4 (1.2 mg/dm3), NO3 (5.6 mg/dm3), N02 (0.04 mg/dm3), phenols and other substances of anthropogenic origin, which indicates about the deterioration of its environmental condition.
According to N.B. Ermakov, in the vicinity of the spring there are pine tall grass-grass-bracken forests. Tree stand with an admixture of birch; the undergrowth consists of solitary bird cherry, Siberian mountain ash, common viburnum, and meadowsweet. In the herbaceous layer the most abundant are:
common bracken, female kochedednik, northern aconite, as well as cereals - reed grass:
reedy, blunted, spreading pine; sedges: Arnelle, big-tailed, common sedge, Krylov's bedstraw, hairy sedge. Here you can also find nemoral species that have a relict habitat in Altai: far eastern fescue, giant fescue; bipetalum parisis.
Along the banks of the spring, in the forest area, the white hare is common among large mammals. Among the insectivores there are: common and common shrews, several species of bats, mainly bats; three species of forest voles, voles, chipmunks and wood mice. The common reptiles are the sand lizard and the common viper. Birds are represented mainly by passerines. Among the various insects, diurnal butterflies attract attention. Swallowtails are quite common, nymphalids and whitefishes are varied. Hawthorn is abundant in open areas and along roads in early summer. Here you can also find the flower eye and the roadside edge-eye.There is a legend according to which one hunter mortally wounded a deer in the mountains.
But the beast did not fall, but quickly galloped away, as if life had no intention of leaving it. The hunter noticed horns with precious stones on the head of the wounded deer and rushed after him, not wanting to miss such treasures.
Bleeding, the wounded deer ran to the Arzhan-Suu spring and ran into the water. While the hunter was descending from the mountain, the animal’s wound healed. The deer jumped out of the water and rushed away faster than the wind. The hunter was very surprised by this and threw dried grayling into the water. The fish came to life and swam, moving its fins. The hunter threw an otter skin into the water. The otter emerged and swam just like the grayling.
Then the hunter realized that the source of Arzhan-Suu gives strength and life to everyone.
Visiting hours:
Reserve and recreational
Organization responsible for security.
There are many wonderful natural places in the Altai Territory, which have been considered sacred by the indigenous people since ancient times. Among them mineral spring "Arzhan-Suu".
There are several translation options for this name - “holy water”, “mineral water”, “silver water”. But they all reflect one common essence - Arzhan-Suu spring water is saturated with so many different minerals that it is recognized as healthier than the well-known Borjomi or Essentuki mineral water.
The natural spring is enriched with copper, iron, manganese, and contains a high proportion of silver. Water from “Arzhan-Suu” (hydrocarbonate-calcium-magnesium) is medicinal, has a beneficial effect on the entire human body, improves metabolic processes, and cures many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The spring that makes its way between the mountains is currently ennobled, well-groomed, and surrounded by stonework. In 1978, it was recognized as a state natural monument of the Altai Territory.
This place is very popular among travelers. Nearby there is a cafe of the same name, whose stone arches resemble an ancient castle. Sellers of numerous souvenirs lined up in a long row. Their various products are in demand among tourists who are in a hurry to take with them something that will remind them of the amazing beauty of the Altai region on long winter evenings.
The so-called shaman trees surrounding the Arzhan-Suu spring are also interesting. An ancient custom spread among local residents, and subsequently among visitors. Ribbons made of light-colored fabric (white, blue, yellow, green) are tied to the branches of trees located near holy places. Some people thereby “appease” the gods, while others hope for the speedy fulfillment of their cherished desire. Meanwhile, in the Altai Territory such unusual plants, strewn with ribbons from top to bottom, are found quite often.
The legend of "Arzhan-Suu"
In ancient times, a legend was composed about the healing properties of the Arzhan-Suu spring, which has survived to this day. In a brief retelling, it will sound something like this:
A long time ago, a hunter wounded a red deer in the mountains. The animal, bleeding, rushed away from its pursuer. Having reached the Arzhan-Suu spring, the deer rushed into the water. And the hunter, who did not stop the chase, was surprised to see how the water healed the deer’s wound. And, emerging from the water, the deer began to run with renewed vigor, quickly disappearing from sight. The amazed man threw dried fish – grayling – into the water. And she, unexpectedly moving her fins, swam! Then he threw the otter skin into the water. And the animal, instantly reviving, rushed in pursuit of the swimming fish.
Since then, people have understood that this water heals, “gives strength and life to everyone.”
How to get to the Arzhan-Suu spring
This natural monument is located on the 477th kilometer of the Chuysky Tract (the central highway of the Altai Territory), 7 kilometers from the village of Manzheroka, behind the bridge leading to the Turquoise Katun tourist complex. In addition to its official name, the source is widely known as “Shofersky” or “Golden Key”.
In recent years, experts have been concerned that the thousands of cars that annually stop near the Arzhan-Suu spring could harm the healing properties of its water with their exhaust gases. This topic has been repeatedly discussed in the media. Therefore, it is likely that in the future, “Arzhan-Suu” will become a protected area, exclusively pedestrian, fenced off from cars.
