Salt lake kul. Issyk-Kul mountain lake. Wild beaches on Issyk-Kul lake

Many people who are going to go to rest on the shore of the Kyrgyz analogue of the Russian Baikal are sure that the water in Issyk-Kul is just as fresh. However, those who have been there have a completely different opinion. And that 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, is it possible to consider this water body really 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. Cleanliness is achieved here due to the fact that only mountain rivers flow into it. And those, as you know, originate from snow-white glaciers.

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

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

However, while 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 surface. Here, the density of the liquid is not that high. In addition, it contains a lot of oxygen.

To catch or not to catch?

What kind of living creatures can be found in such a mineralized environment? Is it worth taking tackle and counting on prey? These are serious questions for some potential tourists. I don’t want to get into a mess, having spent wasted vacation on the shore without a single bite. For many species of fish, the conditions here have proven to be very suitable. True, the lake fauna used to be more diverse and was caught by fishermen in much larger numbers than now. There were marinka, osman, chebak. They in any form and degree of readiness could be purchased along the entire coast.

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

However, it should be borne in mind that there is no ice fishing here as a class. And not at all because in the harsh winter months there is no one here and the road here is closed, due to the abnormally low values ​​on the thermometer. At this time, the average temperature here is -5. Due to its extraordinary depth and mineral composition, this body of water never freezes.

Crimea or Issyk-Kul?

But you shouldn't go here just for fish. This area can bring other joys as well. Many doubt that in high altitude conditions, the temperature of the contents of the lake can reach suitable for swimming. But, as practice shows, this is not the case. In July, the water here warms up to 24 degrees. Yes, there is no suffocating heat here in summer. 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. At the same time, there are at least 300 sunny days here. And this is more than in the Crimea. And certainly more than on Baikal. So you can relax here even in winter. Naturally, in January they will not be able to plunge into the water, but it is quite possible to take a walk around the surroundings and get some air.

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

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

Answer from User deleted[guru]
Everything that has no outlet to the World Ocean is called lakes, and it is salty because there are solanchaks.

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

Answer from Rus[guru]
By definition, the sea is part of the world's oceans. Everything that does not communicate with the ocean no less than the strait is not the sea. By the way, the Caspian is a lake called the "Caspian Sea". And the Aral, until it dried up, although it was called the sea, but was a lake. And pay attention: based on the definition, the sea cannot dry up, if the discharge (evaporation) of water exceeds its arrival along the rivers and due to precipitation, the shortage will be compensated by the inflow through the strait. And through what strait can water get to Issyk-Kul?

In addition to numerous attractions, Central Asia can safely boast of its zest - Issyk-Kul Lake. This unique lake at the same time it is included in the thirty largest lakes of the planet both in area and in depth.

The mountainous Issyk-Kul continues to attract the attention of the tourist community. The flow of tourists is increasing every year. But, unfortunately, not everyone knows where Lake Issyk-Kul is located and what it is famous for.

Issyk-Kul is located on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. This republic was part of the Soviet Union, and its landmark belonged to a huge country. Getting to the lake at that time was not difficult. Today, in order to enjoy the beauty of one of the deepest lakes in the world, you will have to cross several states with which Kyrgyzstan borders: China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Lake Issyk-Kul is one of the top largest lakes in the world in terms of area and is ranked seventh in the world.

1609 meters above sea level determines the location of the Kyrgyz lake. The exact location of Issyk-Kul can be found on the geographical map. If you examine it carefully, then the first thing you come across is the Northern Tien - Shan mountain system. The Teskey-Ala-Tau and Kungey-Ala-Tau ridges surround the reservoir on both sides.

Issyk-Kul has four bays: Pokrovsky, Tyup, Dzhergalansky, Rybachy. The coastline of the lake has swept for almost 700 km. The dimensions of Lake Issyk Kul are impressive. Issyk-Kul is measured in one hundred and eighty-two kilometers from west to east, and fifty-eight kilometers from north to south. The climate in Kyrgyzstan is very mild, therefore, even in the most severe winter, the lake is not covered with ice. For several decades, the water level has been cyclical in Issyk-Kul. It increases and decreases.

The lake is of interest not only as a tourist site, but also as an object for research. An amazing view of the lake can be seen even from space. It did not leave indifferent any astronaut. They all admire the Kyrgyz reservoir as one. The legendary conqueror of space, Alexei Leonov, compared the mountain miracle with the human eye. Usually tourists combine a visit to Lake Issyk-Kul and

What is the water in Issyk Kul: salty or fresh

The answer to this question will most likely be given by its regular visitors, who will confidently confirm its salinity. However, the discoverers of the alpine lake are sure that the water in it is fresh. This opinion is based on the erroneous comparison of Issyk-Kul with Lake Baikal. However, the similarity of the two lakes comes to the end with their large size and clear water.

To find out for sure what kind of water is in Issyk-Kul, let's approach the solution of this issue from a scientific point of view.

Issyk-Kul is a closed lake. It has no connection with the world's oceans. Approximately eighty tributaries flow into the lake. Jergalan and Tyup flow from the east, and Kutemaldy from the west. The last channel belongs to the ChU river, which flows very close to the lake. The six-kilometer-long Kutemaldy replenishes Issyk-Kul only in the spring flood.

Issyk-Kul can be considered the center of the accumulation of glacial rivers, which carry dissolved mineral salts in their waters: sodium, sulfate, chloride and magnesium. This lake can rightfully be considered a health resort of European and even world importance, thanks to its healing mineral water.

Where did this name of the lake come from?

There are several explanations for the origin of the name Issyk-Kul. If we take into account the origin of the words in the name lake, then they have Turkic roots. The Türkic words Issyk-Kul became the progenitors of the modern name Issyk-Kul. The Kyrgyz spelling of Lake Issyk kul means "hot lake" because it does not freeze during the winter season. We already know that this is due to the mild climate, very salty water and huge reserves of heat, which are stored at the depths of Issyk-Kul.

EM. Murzaev, a Soviet physicist geographer, who at one time studied the history of the origin of the name of the lake, is inclined to a theory that goes far into antiquity. The indigenous Kyrgyz consider Issyk-Kul a sacred lake. The nation revered his holiness for many centuries, preserving it today. The ancient name is Tuz Kul, that is, "salt lake".

Reasons to visit Issyk-Kul

The most important argument to go to Issyk-Kul as soon as possible is to put your health in order. This is an amazing place that combines fresh mountain air and medicinal mineral water. The health resort awaits its visitors from the second half of June to the end of summer. Since the number of people wishing to improve their health is growing every year, medical institutions are also increasing depending on demand. In addition to sanatoriums and boarding houses, you can stay in hotels, holiday houses, tourist complexes.

Issyk-Kul is a favorite place for avid fishermen. The species diversity of fish includes about twenty families. Most of them were brought in on purpose and adapted to mountain water. One of the acclimatized species is Gegharkuni, imported from Armenia. Fishermen often brag about their catch of trout and chebak. It happens that individuals over 15 kilograms fall.

The alpine lake attracts lovers of contemplation. Beautiful places On the Earth. Issyk-Kul, like Baikal, beckons with its clean and transparent water. Throughout the day, you can observe how the color palette of the water changes. The color scheme plays with a variety of colors: it dazzles the eye with emerald tints, then blue waves excite the heart with their pressure.

Issyk-Kul is no less fascinating with its sights and legends.

Legends and secrets of the Kyrgyz miracle

Issyk-Kul is full of mysteries and legends. Guides with special interest tell about local mysteries and legends. In confirmation of the mysteriousness of the alpine lake, let us get acquainted with some of them.

The first legend tells of how the mountain pool appeared. It happened in the distant past, when there was no reservoir at all. And in its present place there was a magnificent city. But the life of a large settlement was interrupted in an instant. During the strongest earthquake, the earth parted and "swallowed" the city along with its inhabitants, leaving a huge depression in its place. The huge depression began to rapidly fill with water and turned into a mountain lake.

As it turned out later, not all residents died in that disaster. Several girls remained alive, who on the day of the tragedy went to the mountains for brushwood. Grief overwhelmed the young beauties so much that they could not come to terms with the loss of their relatives. As soon as the sun rose, they came to the reservoir and wept bitterly, suffering from the loss of loved ones. There were so many tears that they turned the fresh water of the lake into salt. It was the burning tears of the suffering girls that gave the name to the Issyk lake, which translates as "hot". The Kyrgyz added Kul to the first word, which means lake in translation.

The elders confirm that the nature of Issyk-Kul is fully consistent with its name. If you peer into the waters of the lake for a long time, you can clearly trace his mood, similar to the experiences of the surviving girls. The transparent emerald color envelops in its magic during the calm, and the insane waves that raged in the storm are ready to tear the coast to shreds.

The legend of Tamerlane is considered no less interesting. The Turkic commander has been to the lake three times in seven years. The truth of this legend is evidenced by the pass located in the eastern part of the lake. It was formed during the military campaigns of Tamerlane to these lands. Each time, making another campaign to capture the local population, the Central Asian conqueror ordered the soldiers to take one stone at a time and put them in one place. When the entire army passed, then at this place was formed stone mountain... However, Tamerlane's campaigns of conquest failed. He never managed to subdue the indigenous tribes. The local population turned out to be quite dodgy. Before the approach of the Tamerlane troops, the tribes migrated from the country and waited in secluded places. Tamerlane could not stay on the Kyrgyz territory for a long time, he had to conquer other lands. Returning back, the commander gave an order to each soldier to take a stone from the first heap and transfer it to another. In this way, Tamerlane counted his soldiers. Hence the name of the artificial mountain "Santash" - counting stones.

The most beautiful and the most big lake Kyrgyzstan - Issyk-Kul lake... It is located in the northeastern part of the republic between the ranges of the Northern Tien Shan: Kungey Ala-Too (facing the sun) and Terskey Ala-Too (facing away from the sun) at an altitude of 1609 m above sea level. Issyk-Kul lake one of the largest mountain lakes in the world.
The lake basin, surrounded on all sides by powerful mountain ranges, remained for a long time an inaccessible region of Kyrgyzstan. Now you can get here by the road passing through the famous Boom Gorge; there are also 2 airports on the territory of the basin: Cholpon-Ata, located near the resort town, and international Airport Tamchy, which was built and opened in the summer of 2003 on the basis of a military airport.
Here are some figures about this unique place, attracting an increasing number of tourists: the volume of all water is 1738 km², the area of ​​the water surface is 6236 km², the length of the coastline is 688 km, the average depth is 278 m, the maximum depth is almost 2.5 times more and equal to 668 m, length Issyk-Kul from West to East is 182 km, and from South to North - 58 km. Over the past two centuries, the level of Lake Issyk-Kulpon has been decreasing and, as a result, both the depth and the length of the coastline are decreasing. According to the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, since 1886, he fell by 4 m, according to other sources, by 9 m.
Due to the great depth of the lake, the water does not have time to completely cool down - the lake never freezes, except on some shores. Issyk-Kul is translated from Kyrgyz as "Hot Lake". The ancient Kyrgyz called this pearl of the country "Tuz-Kul" - "Salt Lake" for the salty taste of water, which is not suitable for drinking either for people or for animals.

Issyk-Kul lake climate

Issyk-Kul lake belongs to the formed tectonic way and due to the orographic isolation of the basin - the climate here is peculiar, almost maritime. It is softer, warmer and more humid than in other depressions of the Tien Shan located at the same height. According to the thermal regime, Issyk-Kul is a subtropical lake. Here, on the coast of the lake, it is moderately warm in summer, and not cold in winter. The average air temperature in January is minus 2 - minus 10 degrees, in July - plus 17 - plus 18. The average water temperature in summer is plus 21 - plus 23, in winter - minus 3 - minus 4. The western part of the basin is dry, rains are rare, snow almost never falls out. In the western mountains bordering the lake, only 115 mm of precipitation falls, on the eastern shore - about 600 mm. However, in recent years, the amount of precipitation has increased - the impact of Global Warming is also noticeable in Kyrgyzstan.
To the Issyk-Kul lake more than 80 rivers and rivulets-tributaries flow in, but not a single river carries its waters away from this azure lake, which causes the accumulation of salts (water salinity - 5.90%). The largest rivers flowing into the lake are Tyup (103 km) and Jergalan (81 km), the length of the rest does not exceed 50 km. Once upon a time, the Chu River, flowing along the western edge of the basin, carried its waters into the lake.
The contrast of natural zones is varied: in the east there are steppes on dark chestnut soils, along the mountain slopes in the west there is a semi-desert, but in the east, at the same heights, especially along the Terskey Ala-Too gorges, there are dense spruce forests. The organic world of the lake is also diverse - about 20 species of fish live here, of which 10 are acclimatized. Issyk-Kul is inhabited by: chebak, carp, marinka, osman, pike perch, bream, mirror carp, grass carp, Amurdarya and Sivan trout, whitefish and other fish.

Issyk-Kul lake nature

Large vertical extent Issyk-Kul lake, the complexity of the relief, significant fluctuations in hydrothermal indicators and other environmental factors have led to a wide variety of flora and fauna in the Issyk-Kul basin. Different types of vegetation are located at relatively close distances from each other - wormwood and solanchak deserts, soddy steppes, tall-grass and alpine meadows, coniferous and deciduous forests and shrubs. The most notable representatives of shrubs on the shore of the lake are sea buckthorn thickets, and in alpine meadows, yellow edelweiss, listed in the Red Book, is found.
Woody vegetation is represented mainly by shrenk spruce forests. Spruce forests are distributed mainly on the northern slopes of the mountains bordering Lake Issyk-Kul. Spruce grows in separate massifs, islands, interspersed with glades, scree and rock outcrops, alternating with meadows. The mountain slopes are rich in thickets of wild rose, barberry, currant, mountain ash, juniper. In the lower reaches along the river banks, in more humid places, willows are abundant. In the east of the valley, they form deciduous lines.
Animal world The Issyk-Kulya includes 50 species of mammals, 285 - birds, 11 - reptiles, 31 - fish, 4 - amphibians. Black-throated loon, bittern, black stork, mallard, gray duck, demoiselle crane, common gull, blue kingfisher nest near the coastal waters of the lake and the rivers flowing into it. A large number of bird species occur during wintering and migration. Typical of them are: gray heron, swans, gray goose. In the 40s, over 100 thousand waterfowl wintered here. By the end of the 60s, their number was reduced by half. Thanks to the introduction of a 2-km protective zone, the prohibition of gun hunting on the coast, the number of wintering birds has increased and now amounts to 70-80 thousand individuals.
The lake is home to 11 aboriginal and more than 10 acclimatized fish: osman, marinka, chebak and chebachok, carp, trout, tench, bream, etc. Osman, bream, marinka, carp, carp, carp, trout, pike perch, chebak and chebachok are of commercial importance. The latter are also objects of traditional recreational fishing.

Additional information about the lake Issyk-Kul- Guides:

Basic moments

Issyk-Kul is one of the deepest lakes in the world, located in the north-east of Kyrgyzstan in the Tien Shan mountains at an altitude of 1600 meters. The lake reaches 180 km in length, 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 the purity and transparency of the water, the lake is second only to Baikal. Due to the huge water column, the lake does not have time to cool down and never freezes. About 80 rivers and tributaries flowing down from the Tien Shan glaciers flow into Issyk-Kul. But there is no drainage from the lake, and it accumulates all the valuable minerals brought by rivers and rains.

The climate in the vicinity of Issyk-Kul is moderately marine. The sun pleases with its appearance more often than on Black Sea coast... But there is no sweltering southern heat here, and there is no frost 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 on the non-freezing lake during flights, watching which nature lovers will spend many fascinating hours.

Why go

Issyk-Kul offers incredible opportunities for recreation and health improvement - the purest mountain-sea air, thermal springs available all year round, therapeutic 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. The guests of Issyk-Kul are offered fascinating excursions to places untouched by civilization. Lovers active rest will gladly take part in mountain climbing, hiking and horseback riding, rafting. For those wishing to see the underwater world, diving into the lake to a depth of more than 20 meters is organized. Hang gliding over the beautiful Issyk-Kul will be one of the most exciting adventures in your life!

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

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

Resorts and attractions

The northern coast of Issyk-Kul is more comfortable, there are a lot of hotels for every taste and good entertainment infrastructure at the guests' service. The Cholpon-Ata resort is located here, mineral water which are similar in composition to the Essentuki sources. Local silt and hydrogen sulphide mud are famous for their analgesic and antibacterial properties. The local attractions, a water park and a 70-meter Ferris wheel are also worth a visit. In the vicinity of Cholpon-Ata, look into 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 quiet 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 beach near the village of Sara-oi 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.

A 5-hour drive from Issyk-Kul lies the Dead Lake with healing mud and so salty water that it is impossible to drown in this reservoir. The chemical composition of the lake water is equivalent to that of the Dead Sea in Israel. Local mud is very effective in treating colds and skin conditions. If you come here, be prepared for the fact that the lake is not equipped in any way, on its banks there are only yurts, where you will be offered dishes of the national Kyrgyz cuisine. In no case try to take out the water - for this you will be punished with a large fine.

To the east of Issyk-Kul is the legendary Sentash pass - it was here that Tamerlane ordered to fill 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.

Residence

It offers tourists more than two hundred sanatoriums with excellent medical facilities, boarding houses, rest homes, mini-hotels. Those who want to get as close as possible to nature and enjoy the local exoticism are offered traditional Kyrgyz yurts for living.

Helpful information

• Do not buy alcoholic beverages 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 that you do not know.
• It is more profitable to buy souvenirs and things not in Issyk-Kul, but in Bishkek's Dordoi market.

How to get there

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