Sometimes I meet people who are not yet familiar with this thesis. And maybe it would not have caused any emotions in me. However, it so coincided that, being a journalist, I really want to use all the tools available to me to tell as many people as possible about the beauty of Kyrgyzstan.
It was just for this reason — to obtain the arguments in favor of the statement about the amazing charm of this land — that it was decided to take a trip within the limits of a tour from the people of the company Xtravel.kg, and as a test subject for the discerning tourist eye, the Chon-Kemin gorge was chosen.
A Place Rich in History
If we speak about the history of this place, the Great Silk Road once passed here, which led to the establishment of settlements. These settlements originally helped and supported the moving trade caravans. Over time, however, the Great Zhibek-Zholu (Turkic ‘Silk Road’) lost its significance for the region. Yet, the outstanding beauty and fertility of these lands never failed to keep people there.
The place even has its own hero — Shabdan-baatyr, who was born here. Nowadays, a number of topographic objects bear his name.
Finally, Chon-Kemin became one of the first reserves established in Kyrgyzstan during the early days of independence in the 90s. Having witnessed the virgin nature of the real mountain forest and the fabulous sunsets here, the choice of this territory as a reserve is completely understandable.
The Beauty of Chon-Kemin
In the summer, this place is notable for its abundance of flowers. And there is incredibly delicious honey — a true abundance of flowers — not only valuable for their fur, but also for vegetables, including potatoes.
People in the know say that they go hunting wild boar in the local hunting grounds. Some luckier gastronomical enthusiasts boast about having tried marmot dishes here.
You can stay in guesthouses with a very interesting design. Inside, everything is made of wood and homespun cloth. They say that the Japanese had a hand in the creation of the style of Chon-Kemin guesthouses. It turned out beautifully, and somehow, a little special.
The locals here are happy to share the peculiarities of their way of life. You can:
- Ride a cart
- Watch how a yurt is set up
- Appreciate the game of young champions in the local horse game kok-boru
- Take part in the preparation of boorsoks
- Get acquainted with other little details of daily or festive village life
For many modern city dwellers, this spectacle is quite educational.
Thrills and Tranquility
Meanwhile, extreme sports enthusiasts come here for real rafting on challenging routes, which is said to be especially good in this area. However, the main advantage of Chon-Kemin is undoubtedly the incredible harmony and tranquility that reign in this place.
Horseback riding allows you to fully experience and tune into that feeling of spiritual balance and tranquility — a feeling that is impossible to catch in a noisy, bustling city. A winter bathhouse with obligatory sunbathing only consolidates this effect.
The result of this subtle but all-consuming experience of Chon-Kemin is that you return to the city as a slightly different person. Hopefully, a little better, and definitely much happier.
And returning to our initial thesis — after all, it is in units of happiness that miracles should be measured?
You can experience all the joys of a vacation in Kyrgyzstan by contacting xTravel.
