The Open-Air Petroglyph Museum in Cholpon-Ata

The Open-Air Petroglyph Museum, often referred to as the “Stone Garden,” is located just 3 kilometers from the center of Cholpon-Ata, nestled in the foothills. This unique museum spans a vast, open field, framed by mountains on one side and the shimmering blue waters of Lake Issyk-Kul on the other. Visitors can wander among countless boulders, searching for the rare stones adorned with ancient petroglyphs. This offers not only a journey through history but also a chance to reflect and connect with the grandeur of nature and humanity’s millennia-old heritage.

The museum is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and covers an impressive area of 42 hectares, dotted with hundreds of boulders featuring ancient rock carvings. The oldest petroglyphs date back to the first millennium BCE. The site is enclosed by a fence, and at the entrance, you’ll find benches, a small kiosk selling tickets and souvenirs, and restroom facilities. There are three different walking routes throughout the area, ranging in length from 800 meters to 3 kilometers, but only the shortest one (marked in blue with directional arrows) is equipped with proper tourist signs. Most visitors follow this trail for their exploration.

Each petroglyph is accompanied by an information plaque in three languages: Kyrgyz, Russian, and English. The most common images found here are depictions of mountain goats, though scenes of hunts, hunters, and deer are also present. Additionally, visitors can discover the remnants of an ancient settlement and burial mounds. Alongside the petroglyphs, the site also showcases ancient burial grounds, stone stelae (balbals), and other archaeological remnants.

For those willing to venture beyond the marked trail, the scenery becomes even more captivating. The area is filled with strikingly beautiful boulders and rocks, many of them covered in colorful moss and thorny plants, creating a dramatic and atmospheric landscape. From the foothills, there is also a stunning panoramic view of Lake Issyk-Kul, adding another layer of beauty to this extraordinary site.