According to one version, in the distant past, when the Kyrgyz were uniting into one tribe at the foot of the majestic mountains, there lived a beautiful girl named Cholpon. Her eyes were as clear as the blue sky and bright as the stars. Two young men, Ulan and Santash, set their sights on her. Cholpon found herself in a difficult position, not knowing whom to choose. To win her heart, the young men began a fierce struggle, refusing to give in to each other.
Not wanting to hurt her admirers, Cholpon decided to leave this life by tearing out her heart. Her remains were found on a high mountain, facing the rising sun. Her relatives, upon learning of the tragic loss, mourned for a long time. Their tears flooded the valley, and thus the Issyk-Kul Lake was formed. Over time, people divided into tribes, settling along the northern and southern shores of this lake.
Cholpon's father was a passionate lover of the starry sky and often pondered life. Every day, he would take his daughter to admire the heavenly light together before dawn. Their favorite spot was the slope of one of the sunny peaks, known to all the locals as "Cholpon Ata." It was there that the young flower of the tribe was buried. Over time, this area, dedicated to the memory of the father and daughter, became known by the name Cholpon-Ata.
