Mountain lake Issyk-Kul. Disputes around Issyk-Kul, salt or fresh lake? Secrets and history of Lake Issyk-Kul

Answer from Danila Serbenyuk[guru]
not salty!)) Baikal is also a lake, and more!!!


Answer from Victoria Kormilina (Kostenko)[newbie]
But still many seas are larger


Answer from User deleted[guru]
Everything that does not have access to the World Ocean is called lakes, and it is salty because there are salt marshes there.


Answer from User deleted[guru]
not fair! agree with you! incredible beauty!


Answer from Rus[guru]
By definition, a sea is a part of the world's oceans. Anything that is not connected to the ocean by at least a strait is not a sea. By the way, the Caspian is a lake called the “Caspian Sea”. And the Aral, until it dried up, although it was called a sea, was a lake. And please note: based on the definition, the sea cannot dry up; if the flow (evaporation) of water exceeds its inflow along the rivers and due to precipitation, the shortage will be compensated by the influx through the strait. Through what strait can water get into Issyk-Kul?

Issyk-Kul is a legendary lake, impressive, naturally salty, never freezing, shrouded in legends and the love of everyone who has ever visited its shores.

The lake is truly incredible in size: its length is more than 180 km, and its width is about 60 km. These are impressive sizes not only for Kyrgyzstan, but also for the planet as a whole. There are not many lakes comparable to Issyk-Kul - it is given an honorable place in the list of the most large lakes in the world.

There are several versions of the name of the lake. One of the most popular versions refers us to the Turkic roots of the word “Issik-Kul” (“hot lake”). The lake, by the way, is really “hot”: due to its properties, it does not freeze even in winter. This is due to the salinity of the water, large reserves of heat retained by the water column and relatively cold local winters. The second of the common versions of the origin of the name belongs to Eduard Murzaev, a famous Soviet scientist, professor, doctor of geographical sciences. He believed that Issyk-Kul means “sacred lake.” Perhaps this is true - the local population treats their lake as the most precious thing they have.

Lake Issyk-Kul is located in the northeastern region of Kyrgyzstan between the Tien Shan ranges. The height above sea level is about 1.5 kilometers. Depending on the amount of rain and a certain natural cyclicity, the water level in the lake changes over the years.

The expanses of the lake are home to at least 20 species of fish, most of which are characteristic of these places historically, and some were introduced separately from other regions. The most popular fish here is the Issyk-Kul chebak, a subspecies of roach.

During the periods of autumn and spring bird migration, the lake is a life-saving respite and resting place for many birds. Up to 50,000 birds remain on the lake for the winter.

Rest on Lake Issyk-Kul

Issyk-Kul is rich in both well-equipped beach areas and secluded wild places on the shore. Beach line lakes are more than 600 kilometers. There are sand and pebble surfaces here, and in some places the shore is covered with boulders.

Among the most visited and developed places are Cholpon-Ata, Bosteri, Sary-Oy, Chon-Sary-Oy, Tamchi, located on the northern shore of the lake, Kadzhi-Sai, Tamga - located on the southern coast.

They call the best beach in Issyk-Kul private beach in Cholpon-Ata, belonging to the Blue Issyk-Kul sanatorium. People come here to relax with children. In Bosteri, the Golden Sands beach is especially popular - those who seek active recreation and entertainment like to come here.

In general, the shores of Issyk-Kul offer a lot of interesting pastimes: a water park, catamarans, scooters, boat trips, hang gliding, parachute jumping, surfing and even diving (for example, to see with your own eyes the ancient ruins of settlements under water).

Beach in Botesri on Lake Issyk-Kul - Google panorama Maps

Weather

The unique climatic zone that arose in Issyk-Kul due to the virtually maritime climate and the proximity of the mountains, the stunning beauty around, the incredible coniferous air of mountain forests, the mildness of the climate (there is no need for acclimatization here, which is inevitable when you go, for example, to the sea), has long been and firmly made this region a favorite vacation spot both for the Kyrgyz themselves and for a huge number of tourists.

The beach season on the lake is relatively short (from mid-June to early September); it is during this period that there is the largest “influx” of vacationers. However, the climate is very mild and allows you to have a wonderful holiday in these parts at any time of the year. The local climate is considered temperate maritime - mild winters prevail here and quite cool summer. The average temperature in January is around zero (−2°С…−6°С). The usual daytime temperature in the summer months is around +20°С…+23°С, with a light breeze, and in July often thunderstorms. There is never sweltering heat here, although the number of sunny days a year is quite sufficient to get the required share of solar “vitamins”.

Water temperature in Issyk-Kul

The warmest water is in July-August - the lake heats up to +18°C...+23°C. In winter, the lake maintains a stable temperature of +4°C. Generally swimming season here lasts up to six months, and great holiday possible all year round.

Filling the lake mountain rivers They constantly keep the water in Issyk-Kul clean.

The salinity of the lake (ranging from 5.8 ppm at the surface to 18 ppm in deep water) is a result of the composition of the river water entering the lake. The unique composition of mountain springs is essentially a special mineral water that fills the lake.

They are “responsible” for the color of the water in Issyk-Kul - all shades of blue (from soft blue to rich blue, almost black).

For comparison, the water in the lake is much less salty than in our usual resorts. For example, when going on vacation to Crimea or Sochi, you will get water on average 3 times more salty than in Issyk-Kul (17 ppm), and on the Turkish Mediterranean coast at least 6 times more salty water(from 36 to 39 ppm). There is no need to shower after swimming in the lake. Moreover, after a few days of relaxation on the lake, you will definitely notice the beneficial effects of water on your skin. Also, there are no jellyfish or large fish, which are often characteristic of sea water.

Wild beaches on Lake Issyk-Kul

Sanatoriums and boarding houses

Holidays on the shores of Issyk-Kul are chosen not only by connoisseurs have a nice rest, but also those who care about their health. Here, problems with the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract, diseases associated with breathing, heart and blood vessels, endocrine disruptions, skin diseases and much more are cured. This is facilitated by the use of therapeutic mud (hydrogen sulfide and silt mud), healing colored clay, a special composition of air, as well as radon therapy (hot springs enriched with radon). The local mineral water is similar in composition to such famous waters as Narzan, Borjomi or Essentuki. It is used in the form of hot baths, massage showers, and special irrigations.

The most popular sanatoriums in the region offering therapeutic programs are: “Cholpon-Ata”, “Aurora”, “Kyrgyz Seaside”, “Blue Issyk-Kul”. Often, tourists who come here for rest and recovery choose to stay in one of the private boarding houses or small hotels surrounding the sanatoriums - this makes it possible to choose the type of vacation based on the comfort and accessibility that you want for yourself, and combine it with procedures on the territory of the sanatorium.

How to get to Lake Issyk-Kul

The lake is located 240 km from the capital of Kyrgyzstan Bishkek and 135 km from the regional center Karakol.

The local small airport closest to the lake is “Issyk-Kul”, located 35 km from the lake. From June to September it receives flights from Osh, Almaty, Tashkent, and Novosibirsk.

You can also get to the lake by train only in summer period. From Bishkek to west coast Lakes (Balykchy station) train launched. It departs from the capital of Kyrgyzstan at 6.25. and after 5 hours brings you to Issyk-Kul.

Available during other periods of the year Shuttle Buses and minibuses.

Bishkek-Cholpon-Ata buses run between these cities all year round. Most often they depart in the evening (after 21:00). Travel time is about 5 hours.

The Bishkek-Issyk-Kul route goes to the lake several times a day. Travel time is also about 5 hours.

Aerial photography of Lake Issyk-Kul (video)

Why is the water salty in Issyk-Kul?

Prices for holidays on Lake Issyk-Kul are growing much faster than the quality of tourism infrastructure is improving. According to Kyrgyz tour operators, the only thing most predictable on the lake this year is the weather. As for prices for boarding house services, we can only predict the situation in terms of their growth.

The most inexpensive season It was June, when the average price for a holiday in more or less decent boarding houses was 50 conventional units. It is difficult to say unequivocally what exactly is meant by units. In the last two years, travel business owners have preferred to make payments in more stable euros. “A night’s stay in the most comfortable hotels on the coast will cost an average of about $150 in July. But we are not talking about luxury, but about standard rooms. A suite will cost at least $200. It is possible that during the peak holiday season in August, the cost will be even higher,” one of the Bishkek travel agencies told Liter. If last year you had to pay 35 dollars for rooms with the most modest conditions, now you will need at least 70.

This is provided that vacationers will be fed only breakfast and dinner,” tourism manager Ainura Bekesheva shares information. - Now many boarding houses indicate in their price lists prices exclusively for accommodation in rooms, not including meals. Therefore, the price of 50 dollars per night changes to 70 or 80 dollars.

The main tourists, as in previous years, are natives of Russia and Kazakhstan. For most Kyrgyzstanis, Issyk-Kul is nothing more than a weekend route; there is not enough money for more. True, this year there are fewer Russians due to rising prices. According to tour operators, a vacation consisting of monotonous lying on the beach and eating smoked Baltic herring, which is often passed off as “indigenous” Issyk-Kul whitefish, does not particularly appeal to foreign lovers of exotic travel. Starting this year, scooter riding is also prohibited on the lake. The reason is the large number of accidents in the 2007 season. The issue was also raised in parliament that jet skis threaten the ecology of the lake. This time the jet ski will be available only in closed luxury hotels. So the most common proposal is a horse route.

The reason for the increase in prices was the increase in the cost of electricity, as well as a sharp jump in food prices. However, charging an order of magnitude higher than conventional units does not guarantee that the vacation will also not be conventional, but comfortable. For the first time, a government commission headed by the recently appointed Deputy Prime Minister Elmira Ibraimova decided to meticulously study the conditions for receiving vacationers. The ex-leader of the pro-presidential parliamentary faction "Akzhol" chose the most popular places recreation. It is no coincidence that the inspection concerned only the northern coast, where the most developed tourism infrastructure. Nothing could hide from the watchful government eye of a high-ranking commission. Tourist business owners have been subjected to severe criticism, ranging from poor landscaping to funds ineffectively spent on major repairs.

The commission members had many questions about the fences around the beach area. According to the akim of the Issyk-Kul region, Turusbek Mansurov, local residents are indignant that it is now impossible to walk along the beach. And the owners of private properties say that otherwise someone might lose valuables. “We need to think about how to resolve this issue,” noted Elmira Ibraimova. The words of the director of one of the oldest boarding houses on the Issyk-Kul coast that repairs worth 500 thousand soms were recently carried out here only raised a lot of questions among the commission members. “It’s unnoticeable that so much money has been invested in the health resort,” summed up E. Ibraimova.

Representatives of the state commission, consisting of employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, State Construction, Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision and environmentalists, came to the conclusion that in all state boarding houses, due to the lack of sufficient funding, there are problems with fire safety; the canteens do not comply with catering conditions, air exchange, sanitary and environmental standards, and bathrooms and the toilets leave a lot to be desired. In addition, the inspectors noted that many health resorts have a large territory, but it is not well-kept or deserted. “It is necessary to attract investors to develop the infrastructure, as private owners do,” members of the commission believe. The established list raised questions paid services. According to Zamir Dzhumashev, a representative of the State Agency for Tourism, owners often make a profit from renting cottages, but are in no hurry to invest the money received in the development of the infrastructure of boarding houses. “Here you have to pay for every step: for blankets, mattresses, for entering the territory of the health resort. And this despite the fact that the tours are very expensive,” noted a representative of the country’s main tourism department, leaving Golden Sands.

The comments also concerned the toilets. In a number of recreational facilities that came under inspection, stationary toilets were not working, and dry toilets had not yet been installed. “You understand that when there are no toilets near the beach, people relieve themselves in the lake,” the Deputy Prime Minister appealed to the professional duty of directors.

Environmentalists also did not remain in debt, noting that the environmental protection zone is not taken into account at all: cafes and summer bars are located right next to the shore, throwing garbage into the pearl of Central Asia. “Most of the garbage is brought to us by local residents who come to swim, taking food with them,” the heads of the Blue Issyk-Kul boarding house told the state commission. The beach of this health resort is open to everyone. Experts believe that such free luxury will soon be few and far between. Most of the beaches will be paid, which is already causing dissatisfaction local residents.

Summing up the results of the state inspection, E. Ibraimova instructed employees of the relevant departments not to issue permits to receive tourists to those boarding houses that do not comply with accepted standards. “And if different “roofs” call you, be firm, because the well-being of the region and the safety of the lake are behind you,” she noted.

But, most likely, this instruction remained nothing more than a good wish. There is no information yet that any boarding house on the coast is closed.

But positive changes must occur in matters of ensuring resort area law and order “The Ministry of Internal Affairs is considering the issue of involving a mounted platoon of patrol and guard service on duty in the Issyk-Kul region. Additionally, about 200 regional police officers and cadets and officers of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic sent to help them every day,” the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told Liter. Increased safety measures are associated with activities on the lake this summer season. large number events within the CIS, where Kyrgyzstan chairs this year.

Ruslan Andreev, Bishkek - Cholpon-Ata


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Basic moments

Issyk-Kul is one of the most deep lakes in the world, located in the northeast of Kyrgyzstan in the Tien Shan mountains at an altitude of 1600 meters. The length of the lake reaches 180 km, and its width varies from 30 to 60 km. The average depth of the lake is 300 meters, but in some places it reaches 700 meters. In terms of cleanliness and transparency of water, the lake is second only to Baikal. Thanks to the huge thickness of water, the lake does not have time to cool down and never freezes. About 80 rivers and tributaries flowing from the glaciers of the Tien Shan flow into Issyk-Kul. But there is no drainage from the lake, and it accumulates all the valuable minerals brought by rivers and rain.

Beautiful lake scenery

The climate in the vicinity of Issyk-Kul is moderately maritime. The sun pleases with its appearance more often than on Black Sea coast. But there is no sweltering southern heat, and there are no frosts in winter. The average summer temperature is +24 °C, the water warms up to +22...+24 degrees. In winter, the thermometer rarely drops below 6 degrees below zero.

Hundreds of thousands of birds spend the winter or rest during migration on the ice-free lake, and nature lovers will spend many fascinating hours watching them.

Why go

Issyk-Kul provides incredible opportunities for recreation and wellness - the purest mountain-sea air, thermal springs, available all year round, healing mud and healing mineral water. For a good rest, a year-round tourist infrastructure has been created here - comfortable housing, comfortable sandy beaches, cafes, cinemas, discos, boat and catamaran rental. Guests of Issyk-Kul are offered exciting excursions to places untouched by civilization. Lovers active rest They will be happy to take part in mountain climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and rafting. For those who want to see undersea world Dives into the lake to a depth of more than 20 meters are organized. A hang gliding flight over the beautiful Issyk-Kul will be one of the most exciting adventures of your life!


Fishermen will appreciate fishing on the lake - bream, carp, trout, tench, and carp are found here.

There are only a few places on Earth with such a unique microclimate - the air contains great amount ions of iodine, sea salts, ozone, and the water of Issyk-Kul is truly a magical storehouse - it contains all the useful chemical elements and microelements, which, coupled with a weak alkaline reaction, have a powerful healing effect on the human body.

Tamchy resort beach

Resorts and Attractions

The northern coast of Issyk-Kul is more comfortable; guests have a lot of hotels to suit every taste and good entertainment infrastructure. The Cholpon-Ata resort is located here, mineral water which are similar in composition to the Essentuki springs. Local silt and hydrogen sulfide muds are famous for their analgesic and antibacterial properties. Local attractions, a water park and a 70-meter Ferris wheel are worthy of attention. In the vicinity of Cholpon-Ata, take a look at the Stone Garden, where you will see the unique ruins of the city from the times of the Great Silk Road.

Not far from Cholpon-Ata there is the village of Bosteri, famous for its fair and local apricots, cherries, and honey.

For a calm family vacation The village of Bulan-Sogotu is perfect.

In the village of Korumdu you can see an ethnographic zone with ancient petroglyphs.

The shallow water beach near the village of Sara-oy will satisfy vacationers with children.

Near the village of Ak-Suu you can plunge into unique springs - although they are located next to each other, the water in them differs in composition (hydrogen sulfide and radon) and in temperature (from +32 to +50).

Fans of esotericism consider it their duty to reach the local shrine of Tanga Tash - three gigantic stones lying at a distance of a kilometer from each other.


5 hours drive from Issyk-Kul lies Dead Lake with healing mud and water so salty that it is impossible to drown in this reservoir. The chemical composition of the lake's water is equivalent to the water of the Dead Sea in Israel. Local muds are very effective in treating colds and skin diseases. If you come here, be prepared for the fact that the lake is not equipped in any way; on its shores there are only yurts where you will be offered dishes of national Kyrgyz cuisine. Do not try to remove water under any circumstances - this will result in a heavy fine.

To the east of Issyk-Kul there is the legendary Sentash Pass - it was here that Tamerlane ordered the construction of his famous stone heaps.

Be sure to go on an excursion to at least one of the most beautiful local gorges - Jety-Oguz with a zoological reserve and hydrogen sulfide springs; Barskhan, along which the Great Silk Road ran; Boom with a botanical reserve; Barskaun with magnificent waterfalls and a monument to Yuri Gagarin, who loved to visit these places.

Accommodation

More than two hundred sanatoriums with excellent medical facilities, boarding houses, holiday homes, and mini-hotels are available to tourists. For those who want to get as close to nature as possible and enjoy the local exoticism, traditional Kyrgyz yurts are offered for accommodation.

View of the Tien Shan Mountains

Helpful information

  • Do not purchase alcoholic drinks in markets and small shops - there is a danger of buying counterfeit products.
  • During forest walks, do not eat unfamiliar berries and plants, do not pick mushrooms unknown to you.
  • It is more profitable to buy souvenirs and things not in Issyk-Kul, but in the Bishkek Dordoi market.

How to get there

We fly by plane to Bishkek or Almaty, then by bus or train we go to Issyk-Kul. The journey from Bishkek will take 4 hours, from Almaty 8 hours. To cross the borders of Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan, a Russian passport is sufficient.

Many people who are going to go relax on the shores of the Kyrgyz analogue Russian Baikal, we are sure that the water in Issyk-Kul is just as fresh. However, those who visited there have a completely different opinion. And that the similarity is limited only by purity and size. So ?

Indeed, this is one of the main questions that worries potential guests of this fertile land. That is, can this water body really be considered the closest analogue of the Baikal one? Yes, this body of water is one of the largest on the planet. The same applies to the purity of the content. According to this indicator, it is second only to Baikal. Depending on the time of day, the color of the surface changes: from blue to dark green. Purity here is achieved due to the fact that only mountain rivers flow into it. And those, as you know, originate from snow-white glaciers.

In total, runoff from 80 rivers flows into Issyk-Kul. Some of them flow through saline soil rich in salts. Since none of it leaks out, the mineralization of the contents constantly increases. Hence the salinity of the local water.

It contains a large amount of sodium chloride and magnesium sulfate (almost 6% of the total volume). Due to these elements, the liquid becomes so multi-colored and completely undrinkable.

However, during bathing it has a very beneficial effect on the body. Of course, this is not the Dead Sea, which can easily keep anyone on the superficial. Here the liquid density is not so high. In addition, it contains a lot of oxygen.

To catch or not to catch?

What kind of living creatures can live in such a mineralized environment? Is it worth taking gear and counting on production? These are serious questions for some potential tourists. You don’t want to get into trouble by wasting your vacation on the shore without a single bite. For many species of fish, the local conditions turned out to be very suitable. True, earlier the lake fauna was more diverse and was caught by fishermen in much more, than now. Marinka, Osman, and Chebak were found here. They could be purchased in any form and degree of readiness along the entire coast.

But those times have sunk into oblivion. Thanks to the introduction of predatory pike perch and trout here, the populations of traditional local fish very quickly disappeared. So, if the target of the catch is a predator, then this plan may well be feasible.

However, it is worth taking into account that winter fishing there is no class here. And not at all because during the harsh winter months there is no one here and the road here is blocked, as a result of abnormally low values ​​on the thermometer. At this time here average temperature-5. Due to its extraordinary depth and mineral composition, this reservoir never freezes.

Crimea or Issyk-Kul?

But you shouldn't come here just for fish. This area can bring other joys as well. Many doubt that in high altitude conditions, the temperature of the lake contents can reach a temperature suitable for swimming. But, as practice shows, this is not so. In July, the water here warms up to 24 degrees. Yes, in summer there is no suffocating heat here. Due to the fact that the area is surrounded by mountains. Therefore, the climate here is more pleasant than, say, on the Black Sea coast, where it is often unbearably hot. Moreover, there are at least 300 sunny days here. And this is more than in Crimea. And certainly more than on Lake Baikal. So you can relax here even in winter. Naturally, in January you won’t be able to take a dip in the water, but it’s quite possible to take a walk around the neighborhood and breathe some air.

 

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