Turgen Gorge in the Ile-Alatau National Park (90 km from Almaty) is an ideal place to enjoy the beauty of nature. The gorge has hot springs, a trout farm, waterfalls and thick forests. Rich in coniferous and mixed trees, alpine and sub-alpine meadows, lakes and springs, medicinal herbs and berries, the gorge plunges 44 km into the vast Assy plateau (2,560m). Long ago, caravans from Europe and Asia passed through the "Royal Gates" on their way to China and India. The broad valley stretches east for 60 km.
The Turgen Gorge is well known for its seven waterfalls. The Medvezhy (Bear) falls drop 30 meters in a beautiful setting amidst overhanging cliffs and green fir trees, while the Bozgul Falls, known for the force of their water, have worn away an entire tunnel in the rock. Another notable feature of the gorge is the ancient Chin-Turgen mossy fir forests which cover the ground and form a thick wall of trees.
The most popular spot in the Turgen Gorge is Boten, the hunting base. Here, where three rivers meet, the gorge is at its deepest - 920 meters. The Turgen river flows southwest, while the Kishi-Turgen runs east. There is an observatory on the plateau. Ancient burial mounds and rock drawings are dotted along the Asy river. There are quite a few Sacae and Usun graves in the gorge, dating from 500 BC-300 AD. Resorts such as Sinegorye and Tauturgen are located where hot springs flow into the rapid Turgen river. The Sinegorye, situated 1.500m above sea level in the scenic Mirushino gorge (70 km from Almaty), offers a wide choice of accommodations. The small mountain lakes above the Sinegorye are wonderful for bathing and fishing, while lower down is a trout farm where you may catch your own fish and cook them for supper.
Turgen or Bear waterfall is located in the picturesque gorge 60 kilometrs from Almaty. The beautiful river attracts many people from the city and tourists to spend a day out in the nature and relax.
On the way you may stop at the Esik Museum of History and Culture which has a replica of a Scythian worior called the Golden man found in that arear in 1969. You will hear the whole story of the most unique archeological finding of the 20th century and probably meet the person who found it and who works in this museum. On the way you may also stop at the Spring of Eternal Beauty and Youth and see the big sculptures of the Golden worrior and snow leopard.
