The petroglyphs of Tanbaly Tas in the Altyn-Emel National Park are rock paintings of the Bronze, Iron and Middle Ages.
Location
The Tanbaly Tas petroglyphs are located in the western part of the Altyn-Emel National Park in the Sholak (Chulak) mountains, in the Kara-Espe, Taigak, Terekty and partially Kyzylauyz gorges, 17 km from Checkpoint 1 (when entering the park from the village of Shengeldy).
Besshatyr and Tanbaly Tas: Trail of Saka Nomads
This is a special tourist route in the southwestern part of the Altyn-Emel National Park. In this place, the outermost spurs of Dzhungarian Alatau (the Sholak Mountains) almost reach the floodplain of the Ili river (in the place where it flows into the Kapchagai reservoir), forming a narrow entrance to the valley.
Here, in the foothills of Sholak, numerous petroglyphs of the Bronze Age, Saka epoch (I millennium BC), the Middle Ages and so on, up to the present, are scattered on the rocks. Besides pagan symbols, the Tanbaly Tas petroglyphic complex also includes Buddhist inscriptions. Scientists suggest that one of the abodes of Buddhist lamas could be located in this area.
There is a complex of the Besshatyr royal burial mounds in the valley nearby. These are the tombs of the leaders of the Saka Tigrahaud (Tigrahauda, Tigraxauda) nomadic tribe, which inhabited this territory in the 6th-4th centuries BC.
The grandiose mounds which look like pavilions from afar, along with altars and menhirs surrounding them, stand solemnly in the silent steppe, the whole scene keeping its ancient appearance up to now.
Historical and Cultural Landmark
The Tanbaly Tas petroglyphs in the Altyn-Emel National Park are part of one of the main and largest rock art centers in the world, which stretches along the Sayan and Altai to the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains.
Animals, anthropomorphic characters, scenes of hunting, everyday life, migrations, rituals, geometric symbols (solar symbols and others) are depicted on natural canvases - patinated rocks.
Many petroglyphs are most likely associated with the Besshatyr burial mounds in the Ili river valley, since most of the drawings date from the Bronze Age to the Saka Era, although there are also more recent paintings dating from the Middle Ages.
Petroglyphs - drawings of people and animals carved on stone - give an idea of the lifestyle of the nomadic tribes that inhabited the territory of Semirechye (Jetysu, Seven Rivers) in ancient times.
Images of people and animals (deer, argali, ibex, wolves, snow leopards) reflect a closer connection between man and nature than at the present time. The ancient nomads revered the natural elements and animals living nearby, as their survival and well-being depended on it.
In the Taigak gorge, rare images of two elephants were found, as well as Buddhist inscriptions, the main meaning of which can be reduced to a universal prayer formula, "Om mani padme hum". Their appearance is associated with the spreading of Buddhism among nomads in the 9th-10th centuries and its support by the Mongol conquerors in the 13th century.
The first sketch from this monument of late Buddhism was made in 1856 by the first explorer of the sanctuary, Chokan Valikhanov, who was interested in this religion. Judging by the concentration of the inscriptions, one can suggest that one of the monasteries of Buddhist lamas could have been located in this area (possibly at the present Taigak post of the Altyn-Emel National Park).
Tanbaly Tas petroglyphs are a rare historical monument that reflects the religious beliefs of nomads, from the pagan era with the cult of the sun (images of sun-headed deities) to the Buddhist culture (lamaist inscriptions).
Tanbaly Tas is of great cultural and historical value and, along with the Besshatyr necropolis, is under the protection of UNESCO.
Terminology
Tanbaly Tas means "stone with signs", "painted stone" in Kazakh. This term is applied not only to rock paintings in the Altyn-Emel National Park, but also to other petroglyphs in the south-east of Kazakhstan.
Not far from Altyn-Emel, down the Ili river, there is another petroglyphic complex, known under the more Russian-like name, Tamgaly Tas, and famous for its images of Buddha.
170 km north-west of the Almaty city, in the Chu-Ili mountains area named Tamgaly, there is an open-air museum of rock art, the name of which is currently changing in accordance with the rules of the Kazakh language to Tanbaly.
Tanbaly Tas is the traditional Kazakh name for rock paintings.
Tourist Attraction
Studying of rock paintings is like visiting of an open-air museum of antiquity, an opportunity to dive into centuries. Touching the images carved in stone, it is hard to believe that the unknown master who worked on them lived in times before our era. It is amazing that nature has preserved these works of art, despite the destructive influence of time.
To get to the Tanbaly Tas petroglyphs, you need to drive into the national park via Checkpoint 1 from the village of Shengeldy.
The gorges of the Sholak mountains, the western end of Dzhungarian Alatau, where petroglyphs are located, are very picturesque and secluded places that attract scientists, researchers of local flora and fauna, birdwatchers and mountain trekking enthusiasts.
Travel Advisory
- The park is open for visitors only during daylight hours.
- Overnight stays, camping on the shore of Kapchagai/Ili River, and fishing are prohibited.
- It is prohibited to move around the park during dark hours.
- Through drive to the Singing Dune is prohibited.
- There is almost no mobile communication in the park and the Internet does not work.
- The road along Route 2 is very bad, hilly and rocky in places, it is recommended to have a strong and reliable 4x4.
- Travel to Besshatyr and Tanbaly Tas is possible only through Checkpoint 1, via the village of Shengeldy. It is impossible to buy a permit there.
Learn more about the route to know how much time you will need to visit the park.
- Passport
- Small handy backpack for personal items
- Personal hygiene items: a toothbrush, toothpaste, a towel, etc. in case of overnight stay in a hotel or a campsite
- Antibacterial wet wipes
- Paper tissues and toilet paper (plain, white, non-perfumed brands)
- Sunscreen cream
- Cream or spray against blood-sucking insects
- Smartphone / camera + chargers
- Personal medikit
- Drinking water (in the hot arid climate of the Altyn-Emel Park, you may need a lot of drinking water)
Wear comfortable nonstainable outdoor clothing: pants, a T-shirt or a long-sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt and a raingear. Summer outfit should be suitable for a very sunny, hot, as well as windy and dusty weather.
A headdress that protects from the sun and wind is a must.
Shoes should be lightweight, with good grip soles designed for hiking. Don't wear slippers.
Bring a set of clothes for the evening and flip-flops in case of overnight stay at a hotel or campsite (keep in mind that nights can be cold).
For the cold season, you will need warm hiking clothes and shoes, as well as thermal underwear.
The distances in the Altyn-Emel Park are large, so clothes, shoes and headgear should be as comfortable as possible for long hikes.
Be careful in the mountains and near the cliffs. Keep to the elaborate tourist routes.
Wear a sun hat and drink enough clean water to prevent dehydration in the desert climate.
Use an anti-tick spray on all clothing during the active period (May-June). Take care also of mosquito and midge repellents.
Do not touch animals, lizards and rodents, which can be infection carriers.
With normal wildlife safety and hygiene practices, you will enjoy your vacation and your exciting journey through the national park.
Tourism in the Altyn-Emel National Park is pro-environmental.
Garbage. Wherever you are, do not leave garbage (including organic) behind you, such as plastic, glass, metal, food waste, cigarette butts, napkins, tampons, pads, etc. Pack the garbage carefully in bags and take them out to specially designated places. Bring drawstring trash bags. Do not burn any kind of garbage.
Toilet. If you are away from a toilet, find a spot that is away from paths and water sources, and be sure that human feces do not contaminate water. In a hot desert, human waste does not biodegrade easily because there is little organic soil to help break it down. Do not bury them, but lightly cover them with soil so that the heat of the sun and light can speed up the decay process. Used toilet paper should also be sprinkled with soil. Use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands.
