Close-up of a horned animal carved on the rough grey stone surface. — 16/07/2015 · Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs

Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs

Ancient animals and hunting scenes on boulders at the foot of the mountains.

Different periodsBronze Age and Middle Ages
≈9:00–17:00check for your date
OutdoorsStones with petroglyphs
Outdoorsdaytime: July +20°, January +2°
Cholpon-AtaNorth-western outskirts

Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

What to see

4 stops in visit order

The list on the left follows the chapters as you scroll. Tap a photo to enlarge it.

03.06.2008

outside1 / 4

Boulder field

outside

The boulder field lies at the foot of the mountains. Strips of grass are visible between the stones.

How it is built
Under the skyBoulders instead of museum cases
The drawings are carved on the dark, patinated surfaces of granite boulders.
Find the boulders of different sizes in the foreground.
Next: Large composition →
10.10.2014

outside2 / 4

Large composition

outside

Large curved horns and small animal figures share a broad boulder.

Scenes
Hunting sceneAnimals, people and movement
The compositions include goats, deer, predators and archers. Some drawings overlap earlier ones.
Find the large curved horns on the left and the slender figures above them.
Next: Pale silhouette →
03.06.2008

outside3 / 4

Pale silhouette

outside

A pale four-legged animal figure stands out against the dark stone surface.

Technique
PeckingThe drawing is made by striking the stone
On smooth surfaces, pecking can be fine and dense; on rough ones, it can be coarse and sparse.
Find the pale body and the raised arcs above its head in the centre of the frame.
Next: Stone against the mountains →
16.07.2015

outside4 / 4

Stone before mountains

outside

The sloping carved surface faces the viewer, with the boulder field extending behind it.

Surface
PatinaDark patina highlights the lines
Carved pale lines contrast with the dark surface. Not every boulder bears a drawing.
Find the pale silhouette with curved horns on the near stone.
Next History in 6 dates ↓

History

History in 6 dates

1986Topographic survey
A topographic survey was carried out in the area with the main concentration of petroglyphs.
1990, 1992First conservation trials
Specialists from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan carried out experimental conservation of the drawings in the central area.
2000Preparing the nomination
Funding was approved to prepare an application for international recognition of the petroglyphs.
2002–2004Documentation
About 1,200 surfaces with drawings were recorded at the Cholpon-Ata site.
2005Condition survey
Specialists assessed the 2002 conservation trials and proposed monitoring the treated areas.
2018Digital archive
The petroglyphs were photographed and described for digital documentation; the study results were published in 2022.

Seasons

Outdoors: four seasons

How the site looks through the seasons. Monthly temperatures in Cholpon-Ata are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

Based on a photo by Dan Lundberg, CC BY-SA 2.0, modified

Spring
March–May
- MarchCholpon-Ata +6° / +4°
- AprilCholpon-Ata +10° / +8°
- MayCholpon-Ata +14° / +11°
Summer
June–August

Green grass is visible between exposed boulders, with clouds gathering above the mountains.
- JuneCholpon-Ata +17° / +14°
- JulyCholpon-Ata +20° / +17°
- AugustCholpon-Ata +19° / +16°
Autumn
September–November

The stones are exposed, with yellow and green foliage behind a large boulder.
- SeptemberCholpon-Ata +17° / +13°
- OctoberCholpon-Ata +11° / +8°
- NovemberCholpon-Ata +7° / +5°
Based on a photo by Dan Lundberg, CC BY-SA 2.0, modified

Winter
December–February
- DecemberCholpon-Ata +4° / +2°
- JanuaryCholpon-Ata +2° / 0°
- FebruaryCholpon-Ata +3° / +1°

Where it is

Location: Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul Region
From the centre: ≈2.478630383996056 km from central Cholpon-Ata as the crow flies
Elevation: 1,740 m
Coordinates: 42.66° N, 77.06° E

Open in Maps

Plan your visit

Walking directions, opening times and etiquette

Getting there on foot

≈2.4 km as the crow flies
From the centre: Cholpon-Ata
On foot or by taxi
Address
Cholpon-Ata, north-western outskirts

Hours and prices

Opening hours: ≈9:00–17:00
Time needed: 45–60 min

check for your date Hours change, especially in winter and on holidays.

Etiquette

Protect the drawings. Do not touch, trace or wet the drawings. Do not step on stones bearing images.
Clothing and footwear. Dress for the weather and choose closed shoes with a firm sole.
Photography. Ask a museum staff member about photography rules.
Accessibility. Ask a museum staff member about an accessible route between the stones.

Check in advance

Admission fee
Exact entrance and wheelchair route
Current photography rules
Toilets and drinking water

Check on site

Hours for your date at the entrance
Whether indoor photography is allowed at the entrance
Hours, tickets and guided tours Museum ticket office
Photography rules and paths between the stones Museum staff member
Toilets and path accessibility Museum staff member

What to bring

Keep with you Water A hat and sun protection Light windbreaker

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Keep planning

Guides and ready-made itineraries

Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.

Routes and programmes

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