Located in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul region, Barskoon Valley attracts thousands of local and foreign tourists every year with its cascading waterfalls, spruce forests and stunning natural scenery.
Situated on the slopes of the Tian Shan Mountains along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, the valley stretches for approximately 30 kilometers and lies 320 kilometers from the capital, Bishkek. Its waterfalls, spruce trees, juniper groves and alpine meadows make it a popular destination for nature lovers.
Formed by melting glaciers, the valley’s waterfalls reach heights of up to 24 meters. They are known by names given to them by local residents, including “Tears of the Snow Leopard,” “The White-Bearded Elder’s Beard,” “Champagne Splashes” and “Manas’s Bowl.”
A Historic Stop Along the Silk Road
Barskoon is also historically significant as the birthplace of Mahmud al-Kashgari, an 11th-century Turkic scholar and the author of Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk, one of the earliest comprehensive dictionaries of the Turkic languages.
Situated at an altitude of 2,500 to 3,500 meters above sea level, Barskoon Valley is also known as one of the historic routes of the Silk Road. According to historical sources, the valley once served as a stopping point for caravans traveling to China. A settlement that once stood in the area eventually fell into ruins and disappeared, reflecting the region’s historical significance.
Today, the route passing through the valley leads to Kumtor, Kyrgyzstan’s largest gold mine.
Tourist Interest in the Valley Continues to Grow
The number of local and foreign tourists visiting Barskoon Valley is increasing every year. With its waterfalls, spectacular scenery and cool climate, the valley has become one of the leading tourist attractions in the Issyk-Kul region.
Small hotels and restaurants operate in Barskoon village, near the entrance to the valley, as well as in the area surrounding the waterfalls. Tour operators organize trips to the valley throughout the year.
During the summer months, holidaymakers visiting the region go hiking in Barskoon, climb to the waterfalls and enjoy horseback riding. Some visitors cool off by standing beneath the waterfalls, where water temperatures range from 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Visitors Drawn by the Valley’s Natural Beauty
Mirlan Kubatov, a local visitor who was visiting Barskoon for the second time, said he had first traveled to the valley with his friends and had now returned with his family.
“I came here for the first time with my friends. This time, I brought my family. This place is captivating with its cool air and magnificent nature. There are several waterfalls here. If you turn left, you reach a taller waterfall; if you continue straight, you reach a smaller one. We went to the waterfall that was easier to access,” he said.
Kubatov noted that the number of visitors to the valley was increasing every year, adding that roads were being renovated and infrastructure was being improved.
“I think the number of tourists will increase significantly once the roadworks are completed because this is one of Kyrgyzstan’s major tourist attractions,” he said.