natural wonder
Issyk-Kul Lake
The world's second-largest alpine lake, a warm saline lake surrounded by snow-capped Tien Shan peaks in Kyrgyzstan.
26 km · about 30 min drive
AsiaKyrgyzstanIssyk-Kul
Cholpon-Ata
Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan · Asia
About Cholpon-Ata
Cholpon-Ata is worth a stop: 1 hours from Kadzhi-Say, 26km from Issyk-Kul Lake.
Cholpon-Ata is in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, with about 14,000 people. The nearest town is Kadzhi-Say, about 57 km away.
Cholpon-Ata is a resort town on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan with a population of 14,237 (2021). It is the administrative center of the Issyk-Kul District of Issyk-Kul Region; this district occupies most of the lake's north shore. To the west along highway A363 is Tamchy and to the east isRead more
Bosteri.
The town contains numerous large and small sanatoria, hotels and guesthouses to accommodate the many visitors who descend upon the lake in summer. During the Soviet era it was much frequented by vacationers brought here in organized mass tours from other parts of the USSR. Holidaymakers now usually visit on their own or in small groups and originate mainly from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia with some tourists from other countries. Attracting more demanding foreign tourists will require upgrading of the existing facilities, but the location is certainly attractive. The view of the imposing alpine ranges of the Tian Shan across the lake is impressive. There is a local museum and an open-air site with about 2000 petroglyphs dating from 800 BC to 1200AD.
The first three World Nomad Games were held in Cholpon-Ata, in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Cholpon-Ata?
Within an hour or so of Cholpon-Ata: Issyk-Kul Lake (26 km), Big Almaty Lake (45 km), Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon (59 km).
Where is Cholpon-Ata?
Cholpon-Ata is in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, about 57 km from Kadzhi-Say.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 14,237
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Kyrgyzstan
- Region
- Issyk-Kul
- Timezone
- Asia/Bishkek
- Coordinates
- 42.6494, 77.0823
Tags
Worth the detour from Cholpon-Ata
3 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Big Almaty Lake
A stunning turquoise alpine lake nestled at 2,511 meters in the Tien Shan mountains just south of Almaty.
45 km · about 50 min drive
photogenic
Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon
Wind-carved red and ochre sandstone ridges on Issyk-Kul's dry southern shore, walkable in an hour and shaped into forms locals read as dragons and castles.
59 km · about 70 min drive
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