Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs

The petroglyph field at Cholpon-Ata covers about forty hectares of boulders left by a glacier, and the carvings on them span roughly from the second millennium BC to the medieval period: long-horned ibex above all, in hundreds of variations, but also hunters with dogs, snow leopards, horses, camels and scenes that appear to show drives and rituals. The site was probably a sanctuary rather than a settlement. It is open ground with paths between the stones and a few interpretation boards, and the best carvings are pointed out by markers or by a guide, since the patina makes them hard to pick out in flat light. Low sun in the morning or evening throws the pecked lines into relief and makes the difference between seeing a lot and seeing almost nothing.

What to look for

• Ibex carvings - hundreds of long-horned goats on the boulders.
• Hunting scenes - figures with dogs, bows and driven animals.
• Snow leopards - the predator that recurs across the field.
• The boulder field - glacial stones spread over open ground.

When to go

May to September. Early morning or late afternoon is essential: in midday light the carvings almost vanish. The site is open ground with no shade and gets hot in July and August.

What to expect

Without low sun or a guide, many visitors walk past the best panels without seeing them. Interpretation is limited. The site is exposed and hot. Some stones have modern graffiti. It is a short visit and works best combined with something else in Cholpon-Ata.

Nearby

Ruh Ordo is in the same town; Grigorievka gorge lies east.

Key facts