Tours in the Tien Shan mountains.
“My work on Asian geography led me... to a thorough acquaintance with everything that was known about inner Asia. I was especially drawn to the most central of the Asian mountain ranges - the Tien Shan, on which no European traveler had yet set foot and which was known only from scanty Chinese sources... Penetrate deep into Asia to the snowy peaks of this inaccessible ridge, which the great Humboldt, based on the same meager Chinese information, considered volcanic, and bring him several samples from the fragments of rocks of this ridge, and home - a rich collection of flora and fauna of a country newly discovered by science - that was what seemed the most tempting feat for me"
Semenov Tian-Shansky.
Excursion trips to the Tien Shan and Dzungarian Alatau.
Tien Shan is one of the largest mountain systems in Asia. Translated from Chinese, Tien Shan means “Heavenly Mountains”. The territory of Kazakhstan includes almost the entire Northern Tien Shan, parts of the Central and Western Tien Shan.
The Central Tien Shan within Kazakhstan begins from a powerful mountain node Khan Tengri(H-6995), at the junction of the borders of China, Kazakhstan And Kyrgyzstan. Further it extends to the west along a series of ridges.
The largest of them is Tersky Alatau. The border with Kyrgyzstan runs along its eastern branch. Ranges included in the Northern Tien Shan : Ketmen, Kungey Alatau, Trans-Ili Alatau, Chu-Ili Mountains and Kyrgyz Alatau.
The Western Tien Shan includes the Talas ridge and the Ugam and Korzhintau ridges extending from it in the southeast direction. Located entirely within Kazakhstan Karatau- the most extreme, heavily destroyed region of the Tien Shan.
Relief, geological structure and minerals. Tien Shan is located in an ancient geosynclinal belt. It is composed of metamorphosed shales, sandstones, gneisses, limestones and volcanic rocks of Precambrian and Lower Paleozoic deposits.
Later continental and lacustrine deposits are concentrated on the mountain plains. They consist of clayey, sandy and moraine deposits. Main mountain systems: Trans-Ili Alatau - the northernmost high-mountain ridge of the Tien Shan, has a length of 350 km, a width of 30 - 40 km, and an average height of 4000 m.
Trans-Ili Alatau rises towards Talgar, Chiliko-Kemin mountains (Talgar peak - 4973 m), and in the eastern direction, to the tracts Dalashyk And Tore, decreases noticeably (3300 - 3400 m). The northern slopes of the mountains are especially clearly cut by numerous rivers, which indicates the influence of the Ice Age on them.
The Trans-Ili Alatau is composed of ancient sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Lower Paleozoic - sandstones, porphyries, granites and gneisses. As a result of the formation of the Caledonian and Hercynian folds in the Paleozoic, and then repeated uplift during the Alpine mountain-building process, the mountain structure became block-folded.
An alpine type of relief has developed on the peaks. Pointed peaks alternate with intermountain plains. Some mountain areas have a stepped relief shape. Ketmen- one of the mid-mountain ranges - located in the eastern part of the Tien Shan.
Its length within Kazakhstan is 300 km, width - 50 km, height - 3500 m. It is formed from effusive sedimentary rocks of the Paleozoic. In some places granite protrudes onto the surface of the relief. The slopes of Ketmen are dissected by the rivers of the Ili basin. Kungey Alatau It is included within the borders of Kazakhstan only on the northern slopes of its eastern part.
The average height of this mountain range is 3800 - 4200 m. The eastern part of Kungei Alatau and Trans-Ili Alatau is separated by river valleys Charyn, Chilik and intermountain plain Zhalanash. Slopes of Kungey Northern Alatau relatively flat and strongly dissected, the tops are aligned.
Chu-Ili Mountains are located in the north-west of the Trans-Ili Alatau. They consist of individual hills that have undergone destruction and severe erosion ( Dolankara, Kulzhabas, Kindiktas, Khantau, Alaigyr and etc.).
The average height is 1000 - 1200 m. The highest point is Aitau, its height is 1800 m. The Chu-Ili Mountains were formed from Precambrian metamorphic rocks and thick layers of gneiss. Their surfaces are composed of sedimentary-effusive rocks of the Lower Paleozoic - shales, sandstones.
The mountain slopes are dry, dissected by deep gorges, the peaks are leveled, to the north-west of these mountains there is Betpak-Dala desert. Kyrgyz Alatau- a large mountain system, its northern slope of the western part is located on the territory of Kazakhstan.
Its highest peak is West Alamedin Peak 4875 meters above sea level .
In the Kazakhstan part, the height of the mountains does not exceed 4500 m. To the west, they decrease. The northern slopes are subsided and destroyed mountains.
The surface of the ridge is composed of sandstones, limestones and granites of the Carboniferous period. The ridge has an uneven, highly dissected surface. On the border with Kyrgyzstan, this ridge has an alpine relief type.
Western Tien Shan within Kazakhstan begins south of Kyrgyz ridge, behind Talas Valley. Here rises a chain Talas Alatau(in the vicinity of the city of Taraz). Kazakhstan part Talas Alatau - Zhabagly Mountains And Sairamsky ridge.
The Zhabagly Mountains are divided into two mountain ranges: they form a basin Aksu-Zhabagly rivers(height of the northern ridge - 2600-2800 m, southern ridge - 3500 m). They are also composed of sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Paleozoic
The mountain slopes are dissected, bear traces of ancient glaciation, and are distinguished by an alpine type of relief. Pritashkent mountains consist of several mountain ranges extending southwest from Talas Alatau
These include the Sairam Mountains (the highest point is Sairam peak 4220 meters above sea level, Koksu 3468 meters above sea level, Ugam 3560 meters above sea level, Karzhantau 2839 meters above sea level, Kazykgurt 1700 meters above sea level.
Their geological histories are similar. All of them are composed of Paleozoic limestones. The mountain slopes are steep and the terrain is dissected. Karst phenomena are widespread. Karatau Ridge located on the western outskirts Western Tien Shan.
It extends in a northwest direction for 400 km, its average height is 1800 m. The highest point is Mynzhilki 2176 meters above sea level. To the northwest it decreases and already at the confluence of dry river beds Sarysu And Chu the mountain becomes a plateau.
In terms of geological structure and relief, Karatau is similar to Chu-Ili mountains. It settles, collapses and levels out. Northeastern and southwestern mountain ranges Karatau ridge separated by intermountain valleys.
If its southwestern ridge was formed from Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, then the northeastern ridge was formed from Paleozoic sandstones and shales. The valleys located between the two ridges are composed of red clay.
Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits of limestone, sandstone and clay are also widespread. The local relief was formed under dry climate conditions. There is no constant surface runoff.
The slopes are dissected by large and small gorges and dry river beds. A large reserve of minerals was found on the territory of Karatau. They are used for the production of lead, zinc and Shymkent lead-zinc plant and providing phosphorus raw materials to chemical plants Taraza.
Ores are mined by open-pit mining. Karatau is a source of building materials - gypsum, cement, etc., which gives the state large profits. The folded base of the southwestern and southern parts of the ridge formed in the Paleozoic era.
The main appearance of the Tien Shan relief was formed during mountain building in the Neogene and Anthropogen periods of the Cenozoic era. Proof of this is the earthquakes occurring in the Tien Shan. The general appearance of the mountain relief is not the same.
The mountains alternate between high peaks, ridges with intermountain valleys, hilly plains, etc. The altitudinal belt of mountains is formed in direct dependence on the geographical location and pattern of mountain ranges. Climate, rivers and glaciers.
Climate of the Kazakh part of the Tien Shan mountain system dry, unstable, formed in winter under the influence of polar and in summer tropical air masses. It is influenced by Arctic air masses and the Siberian anticyclone.
The height of mountain ranges and the variety of terrain affect the supply of heat and moisture. Therefore, in autumn and spring there are often frosts in the foothills of the Tien Shan. In the summer months, hot winds often blow - hot winds.
The dry continental climate of the plains in the mountains gives way to a moderately humid continental climate. Winter is long, from October to April-May, summer is much shorter. In Kungey and Terskey Ala-Too, snow sometimes falls as early as August and it becomes quite cold.
Even in May-June there are often frosts. Real summer comes only in July. The time of heaviest precipitation is May. If during this period it rains at the foot of the mountain, then snow falls on its peaks.
On the northern slopes Trans-Ili Alatau Even in the winter months there are often warm days. During the day the snow melts, at night the puddles become covered with ice. Such a sudden change in weather has a destructive effect on the rock.
The climate of the Western Tien Shan is influenced by the warm climatic conditions of southern Kazakhstan. Therefore, in the Western Tien Shan mountains the snow line is located higher than in the east. Here the average annual precipitation is greater - 600 - 800 mm
On the mountain slopes the average July temperature is +20°+25°C, at the foot of the glaciers -5°C. Many rivers flow along the spurs Tien Shan mountains, along intermountain plains. They originate from the northern slopes of the Trans-Ili Alatau the Bolshaya and Malaya Almatinka rivers, Talgar, Issyk, Chilik, Kaskelen, from the eastern slopes of the Tien Shan - Charyn river.
Many of them fall into the Ili River, the flow of which replenishes the water supply of Lake Balkhash. Chu River originates in the Kyrgyz Alatau and after crossing the border of Kyrgyzstan flows through the territory of Kazakhstan
From the southwestern slopes of Karatau flow rivers Arys, Boraldai, Bogen. From the northwestern slopes there are some rivers that are fed by melted snow waters in the spring and dry up in the summer. In the spurs of the Tien Shan there are lakes located in depressions between the mountain peaks. These lakes originate from glaciers.
Below, in intermountain basins, small lakes form. The peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains are covered with glaciers, their especially powerful reserves are concentrated in Chiliko-Keminsky mountain junction. In the Trans-Ili Alatau there are more than 380 glaciers, which occupy mountain valleys with a total area of 478 sq. km.
They are located in the upper part of the basins, where the Chilik, Issyk, Talgar, Bolshaya and Malaya Almatinka, and Aksai rivers originate. The largest glacier is Korzhenevsky (length 12 km). In total, in the Kazakhstani part of the Tien Shan there are 1009 glaciers with a total area of 857 km2
Long-term melting of glaciers and heavy precipitation on hot summer days increase the influx of meltwater to lakes and rivers. This leads to water overflowing its banks and flooding begins.
They cause great harm to the economy and pose a danger to human life. Flora and fauna of the Tien-Shan mountain system. Natural areas of the Tien Shan mountainous country vary along the vertical zone.
These belts developed in direct dependence on the orographic pattern of mountain ranges and geographic location. Due to the diversity of the natural environment and the characteristic features of each mountain range of the Tien Shan, the same belts are not located vertically everywhere at the same height: in one ridge they are higher, and in another they are lower.
IN Northern Tien Shan There are four levels of altitudinal zones. If we count them from the very top, then they begin with glaciers, with alpine terrain covered with eternal snow. And in other ridges the belts begin at an altitude of 2600 - 2800 m, in others - above 3300 m.
There are rolling hills surrounding bare rocks. Natural areas consist of subalpine and alpine meadows and high-mountain landscapes. The mountains are inhabited by leopards, mountain goats, snowcocks, and mountain eagles.
The next altitudinal zone is common in mountains of average height from 1500 - 1600 m and up to 3200 - 3300 m. Small-leaved and coniferous forests mainly grow on the northern slopes of the mountains. The plains are covered with meadows; on the southern slopes there are signs of steppe and meadow-steppe zones.
Spruce-forest belt. 1. Schrenk's spruce. 2. Aspen. 3. Tien Shan rowan. 4. Honeysuckle. 5. Geranium is straight. 6. Siberian larch. 7. Siberian fir. Forests are found only in gorges. Animals inhabited by bears and roe deer.
The belt of low mountains is clearly visible in the Trans-Ili Alatau. Their height is 900 - 1100 meters above sea level. They resemble the small hills of the central part of Kazakhstan. Various types of plants grow on the dark and dark chestnut soils of this territory: herbaceous, woody (pines), shrubs (meadowsweet).
The lowest altitude zone covers intermountain plains and the foothills of the mountains (they are located at an altitude of approximately 600 - 800 meters above sea level). In these territories, signs of desert, semi-desert, and steppe zones are observed.
Grains, melons and horticultural crops are grown here. Meadows are used as pastures for grazing livestock. The altitude zones of the Western Tien Shan, compared to the Northern Tien Shan, are located 100 - 200 meters higher.
They are affected by the arid climate of Central Asia and less moisture. The types of soil and vegetation cover vary depending on the altitudinal zone.
Scheme map of the Eastern part of the central Tien Shan
Khan Tengri and the Sredinny Range from the slopes of Pobeda Peak. Photo: RISK online
Tien Shan is a Chinese word meaning "Heavenly Mountains". It is a great mountain system located mainly in Kyrgyzstan and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China. Its northern and distant western ranges are in Kazakhstan, while the southwestern part reaches the borders of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Inside the territory of the former USSR, the Tien Shan mountains stretch in an arch more than 1200 km long and 300 km wide. They border in the north with the Ili Valley and the Fergana Depression in the south, while the eastern outskirts seem to dock with the Alai ridge of the Gissar-Alai mountain system.
All Tien Shan ranges, excluding the meridional one, run from west to east and consist of four mountain ranges divided naturally: Central Tien Shan, Northern and Western, as well as Inner Tien Shan. The northern slopes of the ridges are cut by gorges of mountain river valleys and reach depths of 2,000 - 4,000 meters; they are short and shallow. The dominant height of the peaks is 4000 - 5000 meters, and the passes pass between the heights of 3500-4500 m. The climate is typically Central Asian and with the height of precipitation it becomes more and more - up to 900-1000 mm per year on the western slopes of the Fergana Valley.
Tien Shan has significant ice cover: 7,787 glaciers, the largest is South Inylchek, 60 kilometers long.
It has several regions: Trans-Alai Alatau, Inylchek, Kyrgyz, Kokshaal-too, Tengri-Tag, Tersky-Ala-too, Talas Ala-too, Fergana, etc.
Tourist and mountaineering exploration of the “Soviet” part of the area began in the 30s, by a fairly large number of groups, and by and large has not been completed to this day. True, it is impossible to say that the area has been “settling in” all these years - and this is not only due to the Great Patriotic War, during the USSR the area was limited in access (issuing passes to the border strip took several months), and sometimes it was simply closed for access for 5-10 years. Therefore, if you study reports, both tourist and mountaineering, you can determine the “windows” when access to the area opened. Today, getting there is not a problem; you can register yourself (registration, issuing passes), or again through any travel agency.
Over the years of development in the area, dozens of passes have been climbed, the main peaks have been climbed, and many difficult routes have been laid to many of the peaks. Tourists covered all the ridges of the region with passes, while the zone of mountaineering interests is mainly concentrated in the Tengritag, Kokshaaltau, Meridional ridges, rare ascents today are made in the Saryjaz and Inylchek ridges. I’ll try to describe these ridges a little, assessing the difficult passes and peaks, moving from north to south.
Entrances, approaches, decoration
Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to conduct “end-to-end” hikes – starting in Kyrgyzstan and ending in China, or vice versa. You can only jump a little in one direction or another through a couple of passes. Therefore, for now these parts of the districts should be considered separately.
From Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan there are two highways for entering the region. From Kyrgyzstan - through the city of Karakol (formerly Przhevalsk) along a decent road to the Semenov, Mushketov, Yu. Inylchek glaciers (to the Maidaadyr outpost), Kaindy. From Kazakhstan – through the regional center Narynkol to the upper reaches of the river. Bayankol (the road ends at the Zharkulak mine), from where it’s a 12-15 km walk to the Bayankol glacier system. Mountain hikes generally begin and end at these points. But if there are no special restrictions on funds, you can use a helicopter - for small groups as a companion (i.e., for transfer), for large groups - you can order and pay for a separate board. Today the situation is such that the area is served only by 2 Kyrgyz helicopters. (I won’t be surprised if there will be one next year, because last season one burned out, but I really hope that there will be a second one). The flight is carried out from two points - Karkara (Kazakhstan, through Kazbek Valiev), the Maidaadyr outpost (Inylchek river, Tien Shan Travel, Vladimir Biryukov). There are several more camps serving clients in South Inylchek, besides Valiev and Biryukov there are three more. The first two plus one more are located at the confluence of Yu. Inylchek with the Zvezdochka glacier, two more are on the opposite side, under the slopes of Gorky. In Northern Inylchek, only Kazbek Valiev’s camp now operates (previously there were two). But according to V. Biryukov, this summer the Kyrgyz camp (Tien Shan Travel company) will also begin operating in Northern Inylchek. Through any of these companies you can visit the area, choosing more suitable prices. Over the years, I have used the services of Kazbek Valiev, the Dostuk-Tracking company (Bishkek, Shchetnikov N.). In recent years, I have been using the services of Vladimir Biryukov’s Tien Shan Travel company, also because I have many friends there.
Depending on which check-in method you use - through a company or on your own - transport prices will vary greatly. I don’t see the point of describing them here - you can look up their prices through the company on their websites, but I simply don’t know the prices for self-hired transport - I haven’t used it for too long. As for the helicopter, I think these are more stable numbers. Today, a helicopter hour in Kyrgyzstan costs $1,800, and an approach from Karkara or Maidaadir costs $150 per person. When flying, for example, from Maidaadyr, you can scatter drops in 2-3 places during the flight hour and land at the beginning of the route (in 2001, using a helicopter, we delivered drops to Southern and Northern Inylchek, and landed ourselves at the bottom of the Mushketov glacier , thus excluding traffic along river valleys from the route).
If we talk about the most common way to get there today, it’s by car from Bishkek through Karakol to Maidaadyr, then by helicopter to South or North Inylchek, or on foot (then you can drive a little further by car, or you can hire horse-drawn transport and use it to get almost to the Yu. Inylchek glacier). The second option is from Alma-Ata to Karkara, from where by helicopter to the same place - that is, to the South or North of Inylchek. People visit other places to start routes less often. And ascents are mainly carried out from the listed camps (a rare exception, which has been repeated more than once in recent years, is ascents to the Marble Wall from the Bayankol glaciers).
You should probably know that to visit the area through any state, you need to obtain registration (if entry/exit is carried out through different states, then in each of them) and passes to the border zone (for now, the expected complication of issuing passes has resulted in additional payment). All this is done in different places (registration with the police, passes with the border guards), so I prefer to use the services of companies.
On the Chinese side, things are somewhat different. In order to enter the area, you must obtain a military permit ($650 per group), a permit to visit the Tomur National Park (another $650), and insurance for all participants ($72/person). So far, today I know only one tour operator who undertakes to arrange all this. And naturally, payment for operator services will also be added here.
To enter the region for the first time, we used the traditional route to the Kashgar Mountains at that time - Moscow-Bishkek-Osh (plane) - Irkeshtam checkpoint (car) - Kashgar (car) - Aksu (train) - village. Talaq (machine). This journey took 6 days. We made our way back in exactly the same way, but it took 4-5 days. The second time we went directly to China, Moscow-Urumqi-Aksu (plane) - Talak (car). This option took us 2 days, and today is the optimal route to the area. But if we talk about departure from Moscow, there is currently no direct flight to Urumqi, so you have to fly with a transfer. From the nearest cities, planes fly to Urumqi from Novosibirsk, Almaty, Bishkek. Therefore, you can travel by plane from any of these cities. Probably, you can also calculate the option of visiting these cities by train, and then by plane. The entire route by train probably does not make sense, although it is theoretically possible. Maybe this option will one day become acceptable - there is persistent talk about the construction of a railway connection from Kyrgyzstan to China (Kashgar). Considering the speed at which the Chinese are building, I would not be surprised if such a road appears within a year or two after the decision is made. In the meantime, it would be good if a road through Irkeshtam was built - maybe the drive through Kyrgyzstan, especially to the Kashgar Mountains (Kongur - Muztag-Ata) would become quite convenient.
From the village of Talak, where the border post is located, you can also drive by jeep in different directions - probably to the Temirsu glacier. The path known to us, used in all expeditions (by the Chinese, the Japanese, and us), leads towards the Kokyardavan pass (you can almost get to the pass). Then a caravan of horses is organized (although it is also possible to start on foot) and after 30-35 km along the river valley. In Chonterex you can go to the tongue of the Chonteren glacier, where all the expeditions established a base camp. The route can be covered on horseback in 1.5-2 days.
In the neighboring valley - Kichiktereksu - there is a coal mining plant. The valley itself is more extensive than Chonterexu, with many small settlements. Having gone down a fairly decent path to the plant, you can then go further by car. By the way, the trail here is really good, but it’s easy to lose it, which is what we did from time to time. In the upper reaches of the river (in a section of 10 kilometers) it quite often branches, and the chosen path may simply turn out to be a dead end (for example, to a summer camp). The main trail, however, goes 300-400 meters up or down the slope, which is quite difficult to guess. Sometimes local residents helped us get back on the trail, for whom we seemed to act as a visiting zoo. To the river valley Kichikterex can also be visited at the start of any hike.
We did not try other check-in options. One of them is along the Muzart River, along which the road rises quite far, and you can get approximately to the level of the Tugbelchi glacier. There are probably other options for arrival, but other expeditions have yet to get acquainted with them. There are a lot of dirt roads in these places, only local residents know them well (a simple example - our tour operator knew nothing about the coal mining plant and the road there - otherwise we would have immediately planned one of the ending points of the hike there.
Central Tien Shan
The Central Tien Shan is the highest and most majestic part of the Tien Shan mountain system. This is a huge “knot” of mountain ranges with a total length of about 500 km from west to east and 300 km from north to south. This is the most picturesque region of the Tien Shan, which is a complex system of intertwined mountain ranges (Terskey-Ala-Too, Sary-Jaz, Kui-Liu, Tengri-Tag, Enilchek, Kakshaal-Too, Meridional Ridge, etc.), crowned with majestic peaks the northernmost of the highest mountains on the planet - Lenin Peak (7134 m), Pobeda Peak (7439 m) and the fantastic Khan Tengri Pyramid (7010 m, probably the most beautiful and difficult peak of the Tien Shan to climb). In the north, the Boro-Khoro ridge connects the Tien Shan with the Dzungarian Alatau system. Almost the entire territory of this region is located above 1500 m above sea level, and the mountain peaks are covered with centuries-old snow caps, giving rise to many dozens of glaciers, rivers and streams. There are over 8,000 ice fields and glaciers here, the most representative of which are the Southern (length about 60 km) and Northern (35 km) Inylchek (Enilchek, “The Little Prince”), Jetyoguz-Karakol (22 km), Kaindy (26 km) , Semenova (21 km) and others, whose total area exceeds 8100 sq. km.
The relief of most of the Tien Shan ridges is high-mountainous, strongly dissected by numerous valleys (the northern slopes are much more rugged than the southern ones), with highly developed glacial forms. There are many screes on the slopes, there are glaciers, on glaciers there are moraines, and at the foot there are numerous alluvial cones. Mountain river valleys have a large difference in height and a clearly visible stepped profile with flat swampy terraces - “sazs”. Many large valleys are surrounded by high-mountain plateaus - "syrts", whose height sometimes reaches 4700 m. On the plateaus and highlands of the mid-altitude part of the ridges there are high-mountain pastures "jailoo", covered with forbs and alpine meadows. At altitudes from 1000 to 2000 meters, the foothills of the ridges are bordered by foothill adyrs. There are about 500 lakes here, the largest of which are Song-Kol (Son-Kul - “disappearing lake”, 270 sq. km) and Chatyr-Kol (Chatyr-Kul, 153 sq. km).
The Central Tien Shan is a real Mecca of international mountaineering, therefore it is the vicinity of the seven-thousanders that is the most studied part of the Tien Shan. The most popular points of attraction for climbers and trekkers are the areas of the Tengri-Tag ridge and Khan Tengri peak ("Lord of the Sky", 7010 m), Tomur Pass, Pobeda Peak (7439 m) and the Inylchek glacier, the basin of the unique Merzbacher Lake in the eastern part of the mountain system, Semenov-Tien-Shansky peak (4875 m), Free Korea peak (4740 m) and the famous Crown (4855 m) as part of the Kyrgyz ridge, Communism peak (7505 m) and Korzhenevskaya peak (7105 m, this is already the Pamirs, but few climbers would agree to pass by these great mountains), the ice walls of the Kakshaal-Too (Kokshaal-Tau) ridge, which includes three peaks with a height of more than 6000 m and about a dozen peaks with a height of more than 5000 m, the Ak-Shyyrak massif and many other, no less attractive regions.
Despite the harsh climate and mountainous landscape, the territory of the Tien Shan has been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by numerous stone sculptures, rock paintings and burial grounds scattered in abundance throughout the territory of this mountainous country. Historical and cultural monuments of the medieval period are widely represented - fortified settlements like Koshoy-Korgon, which arose on the basis of nomadic camps, khan headquarters and on caravan routes from the Fergana Valley through the Tien Shan. One of the most famous and popular tourist sites in this region is the Tash-Rabat caravanserai (X-XII centuries), built in the inaccessible but picturesque Kara-Koyun gorge. Also widely known are Saimaluu-Tash or Saimaly-Tash (“Patterned Stones”) - a whole gallery of rock paintings in the gorge of the same name (more than 107 thousand petroglyphs of the 2nd-3rd millennia BC) not far from Kazarman, stone sculptures of Kyr-Dzhol (VI -VIII centuries) on the shores of Lake Song-Kol, petroglyphs of the Chumysh rocks (III-I thousand years BC, Fergana Range), numerous rock carvings of the Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Talas regions. The ancient caravan route through the Torugart pass (height 3752 m) is also worthy of attention. This long (total length about 700 km) route from Central Asia to Chinese Kashgar (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region) passes through cold gorges and narrow passes of Terksey-Ala-Too, Moldo-Too, At-Bashi and Maydantag, through spectacularly beautiful landscapes and the most ancient caravan routes of the Great Silk Road.
Western Tien Shan
The Western Tien Shan mountain system lies on the very edge of the Tien Shan mountainous country, reaching out with its spurs to the hot sands of the deserts of Central Asia. The relief of these places is somewhat lower than in the central part of the mountain system, the leveling surfaces are more extensive, and the elevated plateaus are less numerous (Palatkhon, Angrenskoye, Ugamskoye and Karzhantau - all in the west of the region). The highest points of the Western Tien Shan are Chatkal Peak (4503 m) in the ridge of the same name, Manas Peak (4482 m) in the Talas Alatau and Mount Baubash-Ata (4427 m) in the western part of the Fergana Range. Glaciation is insignificant, the snow line runs at altitudes of 3600-3800 m on the northern slopes and 3800-4000 m on the southern ones. The rivers of the Western Tien Shan (Angren, Akbulak, Itokar, Karaunkur, Koksu, Maidantal, Maili-Suu, Naryn, Oygaing, Padysha-Ata, Pskem, Sandalash, Ugam, Chatkal and others) have rapids, are fed by glaciers and snow, and flow along narrow gorges (in the upper reaches), in the middle reaches they usually have wide valleys, but in the lower reaches they again form canyon shapes. It is simply difficult to find better places for rafting and rafting than local rivers.
The vegetation of the Western Tien Shan, despite the low amount of precipitation that falls here, is quite diverse - steppes and deciduous forests in the lower belt, shrubs and meadows in the middle, as well as alpine meadows and high-mountain heaths closer to the peaks. About 370 species of animals and approximately 1,200 species of higher plants live here, and the complex topography leads to the formation of numerous local ecocenoses inhabited by unique species of plants and animals. Therefore, the mountainous regions of the Western Tien Shan, although developed by tourists to a much lesser extent than the eastern regions, have their own undoubted set of attractions. The level of difficulty of the hikes carried out here is much lower, so less prepared tourists can take part in them, and their relatively short length makes it even easier. The easiest routes are laid through the Keksuysky, Kuraminsky, Sargardon-Kumbel, Ugamsky and Chatkalsky ridges. Somewhat more difficult, II-III categories, go through the Talas Alatau, Pskem and Maydantal (Maidantag) ridges, along the Baubash-Ata, Isfan-Dzhaylyau, Kekirim-Tau (Fergana ridge) mountains, and the most difficult routes pass in these same areas, capturing the surroundings of the peaks Chatkal (4503 m), Manas (4482 m) and Kattakumbel (3950 m) and Babayob (3769 m), fortunately the terrain here is so diverse that it allows you to pass sections of all difficulty levels within one route.
The most favorable time for trekking in the mountains of the Western Tien Shan is from the end of April to the end of October, but already in March-May there is a huge number of both organized groups and “wild” tourists.
The territory of the mountain system is dominated by a sharply continental climate. Rare precipitation, dry air, weak winds and significant temperature changes - these are the features of the area. The winter period is unusually severe for the local latitudes. In the summer months it is hot in the foothills and valleys, and fresh and cool in the mountains.
Tien Shan lazily basks in the sun - there is enough light here. On average, the mountain system receives from 2500 to 2700 hours of sunlight per year. For comparison, Moscow accounts for only 1,600 hours. In March and April, the picturesque picture is complemented by cloudiness. In August and September, the sky, on the contrary, is clear - not a single cloud. The Tien Shan mountains welcome guests most cordially from May to October: with the intoxicating aromas of plants, a flowering carpet and a generous scattering of berries.
On the way to the Torugart pass. Tien Shan MountainsExploring a mysterious mountain system
Mentions of the Tien Shan range are found in ancient writings and notes. Descriptions of expeditions to these places have been preserved, but they resemble fiction more than reliable facts. The Russian explorer Pyotr Semenov discovered the mountain “country” and spoke in detail about it.
Until this point, European information about the Tien Shan remained scarce. For example, the German encyclopedist and geographer Alexander Humboldt believed that the main part of the mountain system was fire-breathing volcanoes. Chinese sources did not fill the gaps in knowledge. One of them, which dates back to the 7th century, mentioned: in the famous local lake Issyk-Kul, “dragons and fish live together.”
Semenov began to think about the Tien Shan when he took up serious work - translating into Russian the book “Earth Science of Asia” by the German scientist Karl Ritter. The task was assigned to the young researcher by the Russian Geographical Society. Semenov approached the task creatively: he not only translated the text, but also provided additional materials from scientific sources. There was little information about the vast expanses of Asia, but I really wanted to see the mountains with my own eyes.
The researcher prepared the expedition for three years. Humboldt himself blessed the scientist for this risky undertaking, asking him to bring fragments of Tien Shan rocks as a gift. In the spring of 1855, the explorer set off. The artist Kosharov went with him, whose images complement the memories of the Russian geographer. The expedition ascended from Almaty to Lake Issyk-Kul. The book “Travel to Tien Shan” is filled with impressions from the trip.
After returning home in 1857, Semenov proposed to the Geographical Society to conduct another expedition, but there were no funds for it. Subsequently, his ideas encouraged other researchers to study Central Asia. For Semenov’s contribution, half a century later he was officially given an additional surname - Tian-Shansky.
"The Grumpy Giant"
The dreams of many climbers are to conquer Pobeda Peak, which is located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China. This beautiful peak has serious demands on the moral and physical preparation of daredevils. Despite the enormous growth of 7439 meters, the peak remained unnoticed for a long time.
In 1936, a group of climbers enthusiastically set out to conquer Khan Tengri. It was believed that this was the highest peak of the Tien Shan. During the expedition, the group noticed a nearby mountain that rivaled Khan Tengri in height. A few years later, climbers under the leadership of Leonid Gutman went to her. The famous Tien Shan explorer August Letavet joined the group. In 11 days, with almost complete absence of visibility, we managed to reach the top. The exact height was determined only in 1943.
From the outside, Pobeda Peak resembles a huge, gloomy giant who has decided to rest. But the pampered appearance is deceptive: climbers face inclement weather. Only occasionally does the northern seven-thousander change its anger to mercy. Severe frosts and snow storms, avalanches and freezing winds - the mountain tests all the endurance of the daredevils who dare to climb it. The best type of temporary shelter remains a snow cave. It’s not for nothing that Pobeda Peak is called the most impregnable and formidable seven-thousander.
But it is difficult to accurately determine the top of the peak - it is smoothed and stretched, so the summit tour was located in different places. In the early 90s, a group of Minsk residents was not even counted for the ascent: there was severe bad weather and they could not find the mark of the previous team.
"Lord of the Skies"
The neighbor of Pobeda Peak is the formidable Khan Tengri (6995 meters). It is called one of the most beautiful peaks in the world. The regular pyramidal shape and the mysterious name “Lord of the Skies” fascinate climbers. The Kazakhs and Kyrgyz have their own name for the peak - Kan-Too. During sunset, the surrounding mountains are plunged into darkness, and only this peak takes on a reddish hue. The shadows of the surrounding clouds create the effect of flowing scarlet streams. This effect is created by pink marble, which is part of the mountain. The ancient Turkic peoples believed that a supreme deity lived on a hill.
Khan Tengri was first conquered in 1936. The classic route for climbers along the mountain peak passes along the Western Ridge. It’s not that simple: if you only have a few easy routes in your track record, you shouldn’t even try to defeat the “Lord of the Skies.” The northern part of the mountain is steeper than the southern one. But there is less likelihood of ice collapses and avalanches. Khan Tengri also prepares other “surprises”: bad weather, low temperatures, hurricane winds.
Khan Tengri and Pobeda Peak belong to the Central Tien Shan. From the center to the west there are three mountain ranges, which are separated by intermountain basins. They are united by the Fergana Range. Two parallel mountain ranges stretch to the east.
“Thinner” glaciers of the Tien Shan
The high mountain part of the mountain system is covered with glaciers. Some of them are hanging, which pose a danger to climbers. Glaciers benefit local peoples - they fill the rivers of four countries and are a source of fresh water for the population. But ice reserves are beginning to dry up. Over the past fifty years they have decreased by almost a quarter. The area of glaciers decreased by 3 thousand square meters. km - a little more than Moscow. Since the 70s, the ice part began to disappear more actively. According to scientists, by the middle of the 21st century, the “Heavenly Mountains” will lose 50% of their reserves. The changes could leave four countries without water resources.
Melting glaciers in the Tien ShanFlowers at the foot of the mountains
In spring, the mountain slopes are filled with life. Glaciers melt, and water goes to the foot of the mountains. Semi-deserts boast ephemeral grasses, steppes – wild onions, shrubs and tulips. There are coniferous forests and meadows in the Tien Shan. Junipers are common. There is a lot of golden root and blackberries here. There are dangerous “residents” - Sosnovsky's hogweed. If you touch it, you may get burned. The Greig tulip, whose petals reach 75 mm, also grows here.
In the vicinity of the mountains there are many species of plants and animals that live only here. These include the saker falcon, the red wolf, and the Menzbir marmot. Another difference of the Tien Shan is the proximity of animals and plants of different latitudes. South Indian porcupine and northern roe deer, walnut and fir live together. There are representatives of steppes, deserts, forests, mountains... Thanks to this, several nature reserves have been created within the mountain system.
The unfrozen lake and its “neighbors”
They feel comfortable in the territory of the mountain system and lake. The largest is Issyk-Kul. It is located in a deep depression between two ridges on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. The water in it is slightly salty. The name is translated from the local language as “warm”. The lake lives up to its name - its surface never freezes.
The reservoir occupies more than 6 thousand square meters. km. Along it there is a tourist area: hotels, boarding houses, guest houses. The southern shore is less developed, but more picturesque - silence, mountain air, snow-capped peaks, hot springs nearby... The lake is so transparent that you can see the bottom. The coast resembles a seaside resort - there is something for everyone. You can bask on the beach, go fishing or take an excursion to the mountains.
Lake Tianchi is also located in the Tien Shan Mountains, a hundred kilometers from Urumqi (China). Local residents nicknamed it the “Pearl of the Heavenly Mountain.” The lake is fed by melt water, which is why it is crystal clear. The most spectacular mountain in the area is Bogdafeng Peak, whose height exceeds 6 thousand meters. Favorable time to visit is from May to September.
Hiking and cycling routes
Hiking in the Tien Shan Mountains often includes exploring Issyk-Kul. Several days of passes surrounded by five-thousand-meter peaks, emerald mountain reservoirs, acquaintance with the most famous local attractions - all this includes a walking route. Travelers admire local blue spruces and juniper thickets, an abundance of flowers and waterfalls, swim in hot springs and relax on the shores of a healing lake. Sometimes the routes involve getting to know the simple life of nomadic shepherds.
Tourists are especially interested in the Northern Tien Shan and the Kyrgyz ridge. Both areas have convenient access. They are sparsely populated and untouched by civilization. You can take simple hikes or choose challenging routes. Comfortable time for travel is July-August. Experienced tourists advise to be careful in trusting information that is 20 years old or more. Due to the melting of glaciers, some routes were easier, others became more difficult and dangerous to overcome.
Residents of Russia do not require foreign passports to travel to Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. Upon arrival, you must register. The attitude towards tourists is hospitable, and there are no language problems. Transport accessibility of the mountains varies. The easiest places to get to are those located near Almaty: Western Dzungaria and Trans-Ili Alatau. There is also excellent access to the mountains located near Tashkent and Bishkek. You can also get to the picturesque places that are located near Lake Issyk-Kul. The remaining areas of the Kyrgyz and Chinese Tien Shan are inaccessible.
Bicycle tours are also conducted in the Tien Shan mountains. There are opportunities for cycling, cross-country, and road pedaling. The sultry Asian summer, sands and off-road conditions will test the traveler's strength. Landscapes change: semi-deserts, deserts, mountain ranges. After the bike tour, you can stop at Lake Issyk-Kul and visit the cities of the famous Silk Road along the way.
Mountain People
The Tien Shan attracts not only adventure seekers. For some people, mountain slopes are their home. At the end of spring, local nomadic shepherds install the first yurts. In such mini-houses everything is thought out: kitchen, bedroom, dining room, living room. The yurts are made of felt. It's comfortable inside even during frosts. Instead of beds there are thick mattresses laid on the floor. Semenov also observed the economy and life of the Kazakhs and Kyrgyz in the vicinity of the Tien Shan. In his personal reports, the scientist described visits to Kyrgyz villages and individual meetings with local residents during the expedition.
Before the revolution, the yurt was considered the main type of housing among the Kirghiz. Today, the design has not lost its significance, since livestock farming continues to receive a lot of attention. It is placed near ordinary houses. When it’s hot, the family relaxes there and greets guests.
The Tien Shan mountain system stretches from west to east in Central Asia and passes through the territory of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China (in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region). Most mountain ranges and ridges extend in the latitudinal or sublatitudinal direction. Only in the central part of the system there is an exception - a powerful ridge, which is called the Meridional, it includes the highest peaks. The Pamir-Alai system connects the western ranges of the Tien Shan with the Pamirs. The northern border of the Western Tien Shan is considered to be the Ili, and the southern -. The limits of the Eastern Tien Shan are usually designated in the north by the Dzungarian basin, and in the south by the Tarim basin.
Determining the geological age of the Tien Shan, scientists attribute the formation of the rocks of this mountainous country to the end of the early and beginning of the middle Paleozoic (500-400 million years ago). This is evidenced by the nature of their fundamental folding: Caledonian in the north and predominantly Hercynian in other parts. Subsequently, this ancient mountain material, belonging to the Ural-Mongolian belt, turned into a plain - peneplain (very similar to the current Kazakh small hills), which again ascended to the clouds relatively recently - during the Alpine orogeny, which began 50 million years ago and continues to this day day. Local residents call the folded reliefs of the foothills quite expressively - “adyrs”, that is, “counters”. These reliefs are covered in layers above by typical Alpine folding of a later time, formed by tectonic processes. In the depths of the Tien Shan, these processes continue, and today up to 30-40 seismic events are recorded per year. Fortunately, they are all of a relatively low level of danger, but the Tashkent earthquake of 1966 shows: this is not a guarantee that this will always be the case. Almost all large and many small lakes of the Tien Shan, both in the valleys and in the highlands, are of tectonic origin. The formation of mountains and gorges was, of course, influenced by erosion processes: outcrops and removal of sedimentary rocks, erosion and displacement of river channels, accumulation of moraine deposits, etc. Mudflows in the gorges of the Tien Shan are a common occurrence, especially on the northern slopes Trans-Ili Alatau, which is why the city of Almaty (Alma-Ata) suffered more than once.
In terms of orography, which describes mountainous reliefs, the Tien Shan is most often divided into Northern, Western, Central, Internal and Eastern. Sometimes clarifying adjustments are made to this terminology, for example, how the Southwestern Tien Shan, framing the Fergana Valley, is characterized as a special structure. Within the framework of the concepts of geomorphology, some individual ridges with unique structural features are also distinguished. Plus, there is also the Gobi Tien Shan on the territory of Mongolia - two relatively low (up to 2500 m) local ridges isolated from the Greater Tien Shan.
The highest peaks - Pobeda Peak (7439 m) and Khan Tengri (6995 m) - belong to the Central Tien Shan. The ridges of the Northern and Western Tien Shan gradually decrease from east to west from 4500-5000 m to 3500-4000 m. And the Karatau ridge rises only to 2176 m. Often the ridges have an asymmetrical outline. The Inner Tien Shan is dominated by the Terskey-Ala-Too, Borkoldoy, Atbashi ridges (up to 4500-5000 m) and the southern barrier - the Kokshaal-Too ridge (Dankova peak - 5982 m). In the Eastern Tien Shan, two stripes of ridges are clearly visible, Northern and Southern, again oriented along the West-East axis. They are separated by valleys and basins. The heights of the most massive ridges of the Eastern Tien Shan - Halyktau, Sarmin-Ula, Kuruktag - 4000-5000 m. At the foot of the Eastern Tien Shan there are the Turfan depression (depth up to -154 m), the Khamiya depression; The southern zone includes Lake Bagrash-Kol in the intermountain depression.
The Tien Shan rivers have the character of turbulent mountain streams, their average slope is 6 m per kilometer. The most productive river in terms of water energy is the Naryn, which at its confluence with the Kara Darya forms the Syrdarya. The Big Fergana and Northern Fergana irrigation canals originate from Naryn. On this river there is a cascade of hydroelectric power stations: Toktogulskaya, Tash-Kumyrskaya, Uchkurganskaya, Kurpsaiskaya, Shamaldysaiskaya, new cascade hydroelectric power stations are being built.
The first explorer of the Tien Shan was the Russian geographer and traveler P.P. Semenov (1827-1914), twice, in 1856-1857, the first European to climb the glacier of the Khan Tengri peak, awarded for his discoveries an honorary title addition to the surname - Tian-Shansky. Following him, expeditions to the Tien Shan were made by I.V. Ignatiev and his other students, as well as the Hungarian zoologist L. Almásy and the German geographer G. Mörzbacher.
Although the Tien Shan is the fifth highest mountain system in the world (after the Himalayas, Karakoram, Pamir and Hindu Kush), and its glacier-covered peaks look harsh, below the snow line the Tien Shan slopes represent a colorful and diverse natural world.
In the steppes of the foothills, ephemeral and ephemeral plants predominate. They are replaced by tall forbs, including many grasses. Even higher, with increasing humidity, meadows begin that serve as high-mountain summer pastures (jailau), islands of shrubs (saxaul, conifer, kopeck, juzgun) and deciduous forests, dominated by wild fruit trees. Above 2000 m above sea level. m. coniferous tracts begin, dominated by Tien Shan spruce and fir. Behind them begins a zone of alpine and subalpine meadows; they rise to heights of 3400-3600 m, mainly on the northern slopes. Gradually they are replaced by syrts - dry rocky plains with a wavy surface and small lakes. The most common type of vegetation on syrts is the so-called cushion plants, sort of short-stemmed balls that are resistant to temperature changes and strong hairdryer winds blowing from the peaks. Here, already on takyr-like soils, vast areas of permafrost often catch the eye as harbingers of a meeting with glaciers. Well, behind them rise ridges of low slate rocks and stretch out snow fields adjacent to flat (at this level) peaks dissected by gorges.
In the valleys of the Western Tien Shan, rich in rivers and well protected from the north by high and monolithic mountain walls, mixed forests of walnut with cherry plum, buckthorn and apple trees grow in the undergrowth. The drier valleys and basins of the Inner Tien Shan at altitudes of 1500-2500 m have signs of typical rocky deserts and mountain steppes of Central Asia.
The fauna of the Tien Shan is no less rich. In the most general terms, it can be described as typical of Central Asia, and in addition, there are animals whose homeland is Siberia. Wild donkeys and goitered gazelles graze on the plains, and Altai mountain deer, wild Siberian goats and mountain sheep (argali) are often found higher up. Among other mammals, the typical inhabitants of the Tien Shan are the endemic Tien Shan (or white-clawed) brown bear, badger, leopard, lynx, wild boar, tolai hare, wolf, fox, marten, manul. Among the rodents - gopher, jerboa, gerbil, mole vole, wood mouse, Turkestan rat. In the mountain forests there are black grouse, wood grouse, partridges, snowcocks, and pheasants. Ducks, geese, swans, cranes, and herons live in the reed thickets along the river beds. And everywhere - lark, wheatear, bustard, sandgrouse, partridge, finch, eagles and vultures. Swans appear on the lake during spring migration. Reptiles are most often represented by the viper, copperhead, and patterned snake. Lizards are scurrying everywhere. Many lakes of the Tien Shan are rich in fish (osman, chebak, marinka and other species).
More exotic wildlife is represented in Dzungaria, a geographical and historical region in the north of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. There you can still find a wild camel and three representatives of the one-hoofed class: the dzhigetai, the kulan and the wild Przewalski's horse, species that are almost completely exterminated in other regions of Central Asia. The tiger lives in the riverine thickets of Dzungaria, the Gobi brown bear is found in the mountains, and the red wolf is common.
As confirmed by archaeological excavations of mounds, the population of the Tien Shan, both sedentary and nomadic, bore more Caucasian than Mongoloid features until the appearance of the Huns from the east and the Sarmatians from the west in the 6th-8th centuries, the Uyghurs in the 9th century. , Mongols, starting from the 12th century. The modern ethnographic map of the Tien Shan is mosaic, it is formed by dozens of ethnic groups. Hence the large number of customs, rituals, and legends preserved since ancient times. But in general, as travelers testify, in this world there is fidelity to its roots and wise tranquility, and it is extremely interesting to get acquainted with the local foundations of people’s lives.
general information
Nationality: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region).Ethnic composition: Uighurs (Kashgarians), Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Mongols, Hui (Dungans), Chinese, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Oirats (Western Mongols), etc.
Religions: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism.
Highest Peaks: Pobeda Peak (or Tomur in Uyghur) (7439 m), Khan Tengri (7010 m with glacier, 6995 m without glacier).
Largest ridges: Meridional, Terskey Ala-Too, Kokshaal-Too, Khalaktau, Boro-Khoro.
The largest rivers: Naryn, Karadarya (both belong to the upper reaches of the river basin), Talas, Chu, Ili.
Largest lake: Issyk-Kul (area - 6236 km 2).
Other large lakes(at an altitude of more than 3000 m above sea level): Son-Kol and Chatyr-Kol.
Largest glacier: Southern Inylchek (area - 59.5 km 2).
The most important passes: Turugart (3752 m), Muzart (3602 m), Tyuz-Ashuu (3586 m), Taldyk (3541 m), Boro-Khoro (3500 m).
Nearest airports(international): Manas in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Tashkent South (Uzbekistan), Almaty in Almaty (Kazakhstan), Divopu in Urumqi (China).
Numbers
Length from west to east: about 2500 km.Average length(in this case - latitude) from north to south - 300-400 km.
Total area: about 875 thousand km 2.
Number of passes: more than 300.
Number of glaciers: 7787.
Total area of glaciers: 10.2 thousand km 2.
Climate and weather
In general, it is sharply continental.The Fergana ranges (Southwestern Tien Shan) are located on the border with a subtropical climate.
Average January temperatures: in the valleys of the lower mountain belt - +4°C, in mid-altitude valleys - up to -6°C, on glaciers - up to -30°C.
Average temperatures in July: in the valleys of the lower mountain belt from +20 to +25°С, in mid-altitude valleys - from +15 to +17°С, at the foot of glaciers from +5°С and below.
The temperature drop with every 100 m rise is approximately 0.7°C in summer; 0.6°C in autumn and spring; 0.5°C in winter.
Average annual precipitation: from 200 to 300 mm on the eastern slopes and valleys of the Inner and Central Tien Shan, up to 1600 mm in mid-mountain and high-mountain zones.
Economy
Minerals: ores of various non-ferrous metals, mercury, antimony, phosphorites (Karatau), hard and brown coal. In the Fergana Valley and the Dzhungar Basin there are deposits of oil and natural gas of industrial importance. The Tien Shan is also rich in geothermal springs.Agriculture: growing wheat, grapes, fruits, vegetables, sheep breeding, goat breeding, horse breeding.
Service sector: tourism.
Attractions
■ Peaks: Pobeda Peak on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China, Khan Tengri on the border of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China.■ Lake Issyk-Kul(Kyrgyzstan).
■ High mountain lake Tianchi(“Heavenly”), China.
■ Valley of the sacred springs Manzhyly-Ata(Kyrgyzstan) - a place of Muslim pilgrimage to the mazar of the Sufi and preacher, after whom the valley is named.
■ Rock “walls” in the Lyaylyak river basin(Kyrgyzstan): Ak-Su (5355 m), Blok (5299 m), Iskander (5120 m).
■ National parks: Ugam-Chatkal (Uzbekistan), Ala-Archa (Kyrgyzstan).
■ Reserves: Issyk-Kul and biosphere Sary-Chelek in Kyrgyzstan, Alma-Ata and Aksu-Zhabaglinsky in Kazakhstan, Sary-Chatkal mountain forest in Uzbekistan, as well as a number of reserves (including in the territory of walnut-fruit forests of the South-Western Tien- Shan), the Altyntag reserve and the “landscape area” “Mountain Screen” (China).
Curious facts
■ Pobeda Peak, named so in 1946 in honor of the victory of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War, is one of the seven-thousanders for which climbers are awarded the prestigious title of “snow leopard.”■ During sunset, part of the Khan Tengri peak becomes almost scarlet, like the shadows of clouds near it. This is where its second, “folk” name comes from - Kan-Too, or Kan-Tau, meaning “bloody (or bloody) mountain” (from the Turkic “kan” - “blood”, “too” - “mountain”), In this there is a certain sacred meaning: the sharp, blade-like and inaccessible peak of Khan Tengri is associated among the indigenous inhabitants of the Tien Shan with the concepts of “homeland” and “struggle”.
■ The northern slope of Khan Tengri Peak (6995 m), its western bridge (5900 m), connecting it with Chapaev Peak (6371 m), resemble the configuration of the Himalayan ligament Chomolungma (8848 m) - its South Col (7900 m) - and the peak Lhotse (8516 m). And although the Tien Shan “understudy” is 2 km lower, climbers planning to storm the highest peak of the world carry out the final stage of preparation for this expedition here.
■ In the wreath of legends about Lake Issyk-Kul there are stories that at its bottom there is a flooded Armenian monastery where the relics of the Apostle Matthew were kept. Several legends tell about Tamerlane's stay here. But most of the legends are associated with the shed hot (Turkish, “issyk”) tears of the young beauty Cholpon. She cried for so long that her tears formed a lake as beautiful as herself. In one of the legends, it is not she who cries, but the people for her. Two warriors who claimed her heart - Ulan and Santash - entered into a life-and-death battle. But their strength was equal, and all their relatives went wall to wall. Cholpon could not stop them, and then she tore her heart out of her chest. The opponents froze, and then all together they took Cholpon to a high mountain, laid her face to the sun and began to mourn her. Their tears, flowing in streams, flooded the valley between the mountains.
