Semyonovskoye Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the Pre-Issyk-Kul region
On the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, 40 km from the resort town of Cholpon-Ata, along the road from Bishkek north of the village of Semyonovka, lies one of the most beautiful places in the Pre-Issyk-Kul region, the Semyonovskoye Gorge. Its length is about 30 kilometers.
Semyonovskoye Gorge is named in honor of one of the first explorers of these places - the Russian scientist-geographer P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, who studied the Tian Shan mountains in the 1850s and 1860s.
From the village of Semyonovka, a 15-kilometer asphalt road leads into the mountains. It runs along the Chon Ak-Suu River, past the Kirchin tourist base. The road leads to a summer pasture located at an altitude of 2010 meters above sea level, where the Chon Ak-Suu meets the Kichi Ak-Suu. The river flows from glaciers for about 34 kilometers down to Lake Issyk-Kul through three other small lakes. Ak-Suu is a turbulent mountain river with clear glacial water, and majestic Tian Shan fir trees rise on its slopes. In the summer and spring, the pure air here is filled with the scents of high-altitude herbs. Dense thickets of shrubs grow on the slopes of the gorge: sea buckthorn, rose hips, barberry, honeysuckle, and currants. In spring, during flowering, this bouquet of various scents merges into a single unforgettable aroma.
This pasture, or jailoo, is a historic site for the gathering of Kyrgyz elders. From the end of June to the end of September, a yurt camp is set up here, where staying offers tourists an unforgettable ethnological experience. Half of the yurts are occupied by travelers, while local families reside in the other half, providing services and entertainment. Guests in the yurt camp can, for example, sleep not on beds, but on traditional blankets directly on the floor of the yurt, just as Kyrgyz nomads did. There are no familiar toilets and bathrooms here, but the unforgettable impressions of spending several days in such an authentic place fully compensate for all minor inconveniences. Tourists here learn about the history, culture, crafts, cuisine, and games of the Kyrgyz people, or embark on hiking or horseback rides in the surroundings. For less active guests, demonstrations of crafts and horseback riding, stories about the epic Manas, concerts on traditional instruments, and even culinary tastings are provided.
No excursion is complete without a visit to the mountain lake, which locals say is sacred. According to legend, this lake was formed as a result of an earthquake. Previously, this place was a site for prayers. Some tourists enjoy entering the lake. It is believed that if one immerses oneself in it three times with their head, their sins are cleansed. The depth of this lake is about 20 meters, the water is clear with a bluish tint, and the water temperature is about 5 degrees; wild ducks can be seen swimming on the lake.
At the northeastern edge of the village of Semyonovka, there are burial sites dating from the 5th to the 3rd century BC. More burial sites can be found higher up in the Ak-Suu River valley. Another attraction of these places is a dacha built in the 1960s near Semyonovka on the shore of Issyk-Kul, specifically for Leonid Brezhnev to stay during his visit. Used only once, this modest building stands on the border of a marshy area, not far from the beach, and today, unfortunately, is in a state of severe neglect, although there are rumors of possible repairs and reconstruction.
Not far from Semyonovskoye Gorge, there are several cozy cottages of the health and rehabilitation center "Chernobyltsi." This place is popular among athletes who often come here for training camps. The altitude and the fresh, thin air are ideal for training.