Several springs are known in the Altyn-Emel National Park, which are of interest both from a touristic and scientific point of view.
Shokan Valikhanov's Spring
Shokan Valikhanov's spring is located in the Kokbastau oasis at the foot of the Kishi (Small) Kalkan Mountains, at a distance of 2 km from the Singing Dune.
This spring is a historical landmark of the Altyn-Emel National Park.
In 1856, Shokan Valikhanov (1835-1865), the first Kazakh scientist, historian, ethnographer, folklorist, traveler, educator and orientalist, traveled through the Uigentas and Altyn-Emel passes during his famous expedition to Kashgaria as a military intelligence officer of the Russian Empire. He made a description of the nature of the Ili river basin:
"The beautiful weather favored our journey, we first walked along the picket road to the Altyn-Emel picket along the beautiful valleys of the Alatau foothills. The fields were full of orange tulips, oriental poppies, and yellow birds swayed on the long stems of white mallow."
The place that is now known as the Shokan Valikhanov's spring also has a very vivid description in his essays - "... we spent the night at the spring in the sands, between the Kalkan mountains, where we ended up in some kind of hollow that was teeming with snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, phalanges, and for a long time we could not forget this damned overnight stay."
Turanga, saxaul, barberry, and reeds grow here. In hot and dry times of the year, the spring dries up.
See also:
Naizatapkan Spring
The Naizatapkan spring is located in the Dzhungarian Alatau mountains, 35 km north of the village of Basshi.
This spring has been used since ancient times (possibly since the Saka times) to treat various diseases, and each stream (there are about 10 of them) has its own medical purpose. The antiquity of this natural health resort is evidenced by stone fences, rock paintings, traces of pagan ceremonies, where ablution with holy water is usually used.
The name "Naizatapkan" ("the place where the spear was found"), according to one version, comes from the fact that the spear was found in this place. Also, warriors of the Kazakh Khan Salkam Zhangir, who fought with the Dzhungars, probably passed through and were treated here.
The place is revered by Muslims as sacred; men and women are advised to visit it at different times.
See also:
Arba Travel offers accommodation and tourist services in the Altyn-Emel National Park.
We are based in the village of Basshi near the central office of the Altyn-Emel National Park.
We have our own tourist transport and the largest Caravansarai campsite with stationary and mobile caravans, a Kazakh yurt and a spacious guesthouse in a large country estate for comfortable stay in Basshi.
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