Legends Myths and Sacred Sites of Issyk-Kul
Journey through the mythological landscape surrounding Cholpon-Ata and Issyk-Kul, uncovering the ancient legends, submerged lost cities, shamanic sacred sites, and Kyrgyz epic traditions that make this lake one of Central Asia's most mystical places.
- 1
Sacred Spring
Visit a spring considered sacred since pre-Islamic times, where offerings are still left and prayers made by community members maintaining a blend of shamanistic and Islamic devotional practices at this ancient site.
- 2
Submerged City Viewpoint
Stand at the lake shore above the location of a submerged medieval city visible in satellite images and partially excavated underwater, one of several ancient settlements believed to have been inundated as the lake level rose.
- 3
Manas Legend Site
Hear the local traditions connecting the Cholpon-Ata region to episodes of the Manas epic, Kyrgyzstan's national oral poem, whose hero is said to have ridden through these mountain landscapes in his legendary campaigns.
- 4
Shaman's Rock
Find the rock outcrop known as a traditional site for shamanic practice, where practitioners communicated with spirits, healed the sick, and maintained the community's connection to the supernatural forces of the natural world.
- 5
Underwater Archaeology Site
Learn about the ongoing underwater archaeology exploring the submerged ruins of Chigu, a 2,000-year-old city that once stood at the lake's edge and now lies several meters below the surface, preserved in the cold mineral water.
- 6
Legend and Stars Gathering
Conclude at a community storytelling spot where elders traditionally gathered to recount Issyk-Kul's legends — of sunken kingdoms, divine horses, sacred mountains, and the spirits that inhabit the lake's unfathomable depths.