CHON KEMIN

One hundred and fifty kilometers from Bishkek lies the valley of Chon Kemin. This valley is most famous for being the birthplace of Askar Akayev. There is a small museum dedicated to him here.

There are other attractions, however. This long valley lies at altitudes of between 1400 m and 2800 m above sea level and reaches over 80 km deep into the mountains between the Kungey Ala Too and Zailii ranges, parallel to the Kazakh border. It has verdant pastures, woodland (of Tian Shan firs),mountain lakes (jamalysh, Kogor,Tor, Almaty and Kichi Kemin amongst them) and spectacular views of the mountains (for example: Kichi Kemin — 4220m; Alisher Novoi — 4170m and Teke Tor — 4190m.

The valley has a rich variety of vegetation, and animal life, and boasts both a Zoological preserve (with partridges, gold pheasant, hare,wild boar and mountain sheep) and a botanical reserve (Kapchagai — which is home to ephedra — horsetail). The conifer forests which line the mountains which form the sides of the valley are reknowned throught out the country and are home to many varieties of mushrooms, berries and herbs.

Manas is supposed to have held games here and near the village of Kyzyl Bairak is a mausoleum dedicated to Shabidan Baitir, a 19th century chieftain of the Sary Bagysh tribe who ruled the valley and is highly regarded as a national hero. There is also a statue of him on horseback in the main square in the town of Kemin.

There are several ancient barrows (burial mounds) in the valley at Tegirmenty and Shabdan. Those near the village of Shabdan, date from the 4th and 3rd century BC and arcaeologists have discovered the remains of the ancient settlement of Suyab, dating between the 6th and 11th centuries AD near the mouth of the valley.

There are several possibilities for trekking in the valley. One route runs over the mountains towards Balykchi on the shores of Lake IssykKul, and others lead up towards the valleys of Griorievka and Semyenovka.

The Chon Kemin valley also offers a venue for white-water rafting and fishing.