The Great Wall
A rock ridge.
Ninara from Helsinki, Finland — CC BY 2.0 · Bruno Rijsman — CC BY 2.0 · Incall — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Incall — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bruno Rijsman — CC BY 2.0 · Prof. Mortel — CC BY 2.0 · Prof. Mortel — CC BY 2.0 · Incall — CC BY-SA 4.0
A colourful canyon on the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, about 4 km from the village of Tosor, whose Russian name means «fairy tale». Wind and water have sculpted its sandstone over thousands of years into shapes like castles, animals and mythical creatures. The rock shades from red to orange and yellow, and one of its best-known formations is the «Great Wall of China», a long, narrow rock ridge like the famous wall. From the higher ridges the view runs over the canyon to the blue lake and the snowy mountains beyond. The canyon is a few hundred metres from the main south-shore road, and you can wander freely along its paths and climb the small peaks for the view from above. Entry is about 50 som in cash at the gate, per visitor guides. There is no shade, so come in the morning or just before sunset when the colours glow, with good shoes and water.
A rock ridge.
From the ridges.
On the rock.
South shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, near Tosor village
About 50 som in cash at the gate, per visitor guides; go in the morning or before sunset, as there is no shade.