Barskoon gorge

The majestic Terksey-Alatoo mountain range borders the southern coast of Issyk-Kul. Many magnificent corners of paradise and picturesque landscapes lurk on its slopes. One of them - the Barskoon gorge about 30 kilometers long.

At the very beginning of the Barskoon gorge there is a village of the same name, which used to be called Barskhan in ancient times. In the past, here was the residence of the Khan, and the cities of Lower and Great Barskhan were located nearby. A carpet of green steppe vegetation blankets the hillsides. The kingdom of the most beautiful Tien Shan spruce trees follows it, with barberry, sea-buckthorn, rowan, raspberry, currant, honeysuckle and rosehip bushes nestling among lower branches. All this together creates not only a wonderful visual picture, but also gives a unique aroma of untouched flora. A magnificent view of the Lake Issyk-Kul opens from here.

Higher in the mountains, at an altitude of 2800 meters spruces are found less and less often and are replaced by juniper trees. The main attraction here is waterfalls cascade, with the largest one is 100 meters high.

It is worth noting that one of the Great Silk Road routes to China passed through the Barskoon gorge, bypassing the Bedel Pass (height 4284 m.). This area is interesting because this is where a medieval eminent scientist Mahmoud al-Kashgari was born. There are also monuments here - a Soviet truck mounted on a pedestal and a bust of Yuri Gagarin. The great cosmonaut recreated on the Issyk-Kul southern coast after his first flight into space.

Today, a road passes through the gorge leading to the Kumtor gold mine. Meanwhile tourists can enjoy many small paths to the exciting world of mountain nature.

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