Taldykorgan

You will find a 90-meter Burhan Bulak waterfall, which can be reached by a powerful off-roader only. Moreover, two routes are offered to the tourists. The first one is – from Tekeli you get to the Korin clove. However, this road is not always passable. Then the second option is – a bypass road from the Kopal-Arasan valley. Please note that driving through the pass of the Minshukur ridge is only possible for experienced drivers.

The first kilometers you drive along the ground road. It runs along the right side of the Kora clove and a forest of various trees. On the way you will see how birch groves saturated give way to dense shrubs. In these places you can see the famous Sivers apple trees with your own eyes. Despite a rather difficult 50 kilometers long journey, you are not tired at all, because you enjoy magnificent landscapes.

The area where the road passes has an unusual relief. The mountain system is an original natural idea. It has two parallel ridges, with extended valleys up to 100 km long between them. You won’t find another such place in Kazakhstan. The intermountain valleys are up to 1.5 thousand meters deep. The maximum height of Dzhetysu Alatau (Dzhungarsk Alatau, Semirechensk Alatau) is 4.6 thousand meters above sea level. The peak called Semenov-Tyanshansky rises to 4,622 meters above sea level.

But the Korin Clove resembles the structure of similar objects of the Dzungaria mountains. It lies exactly between two tall ridges. Moreover, they are not similar to each other. The clove ends at the very edge of the glaciers, with the height reaching three kilometers! In the southern part it is bordered by the main ridge of Dzhetysu Alatau. Here, you will see the steepest slopes covered with green forest. If at the entrance the clove is limited by a cramped stone canyon, further it keeps expanding. Going deeper, you will see fir and deciduous massifs.

Walking along the Korin Clove, you can enjoy its magnificent waterfalls that give birth to many rivers. These natural objects cannot be called majestic. Waterfalls are quite low, but still look amazing.

On your way you will see a giant stone that not just have its own name. An incredible legend is associated with it, which is based on a real fact. Once upon a time there was a rather rich aul here. Thousands of cattle grassed on the local pastures. But once everything changed for the aul people. A powerful earthquake made an impressive stone broke off from a slope and fell straight on the aul. But thanks to some incredible luck, it crashed right between yurts crowded with children and women. After this amazing incident, they began to call it “Aulie-tas” or “The Sacred Stone”. Travelers stop here. They take pictures with a huge stone and listen to this bewildering story.

Burkhan Bulak is considered to be the largest waterfall in the country, with the height reaching up to 92 meters. However, if compared, for example, with Angel, it is a small indicator. However, the views are impressive! A powerful stream of wild water falls right from three ledges. Before breaking free, the stream splits into many mini-rivers. And then all this natural wonder turns into a myriad of miniature sprays. In fact, it is impossible to describe all this beauty with words! You must see the waterfall with your own eyes in order to feel all its strength.

Tourists will probably be interested in translating the phrase Burhan Bulak. “Bulak” means the source. The word “Burkhanami” used to mean Buddhist stone stupas and pyramids, which were considered sacred Bodisattvas. Historians believe that the word came just at the time when the Buddhist faith flourished here. And those huge rocky peaks above the waterfall resembled the famous sacred pyramids.

The spur above the waterfall is up to 400 meters high. And at the top you can see unique Tien Shan spruce. The waterfall has crystal clear water. But at the same time, it is very cold. Do not forget that the waterfall is located quite high in the mountains – about 2.2 kilometers above sea level. By the way, tourists can plunge into the local waters. Many extreme fans come here just to experience these unreal sensations.

It is believed that if a person stands under the streams of Burkhan Bulak, he or she is purified. All the negative energy leaves you. Moreover, you are cleansed both spiritually and physically. Although tourists who prefer extreme, like not just to stand under the waterfall, but to dive into its waters.

The waterfall surroundings should also be mentioned. In the area you can find mushrooms and berries. The places here are protected and very beautiful. However, most of them are unsuitable for tourism, since it is impossible to get here.

Another attraction is Kapal Izvoz (Carrying). This is a pass naamed by Russian settlers at the beginning of the 19th century. The road from it led to the Kora clove. There, people migrated from Russia took material for building their houses. They also actively grassed cattle and hunted wild goats for meat.

In 1856, the famous traveler Semenov Tien-Shansky visited these places. In his diary, he described it like this: “The view that opened onto the river valley was simply amazing! The ridge reached an incredible one and a half kilometers above the Kapal plateau. But at the same time, it rose above the deep valley of the Kora River”.

The local landscape struck not only the famous Russian traveler. Many common people come here and enjoy the natural splendor. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to the pass every year. And all of them say that this place tempts and calls them – they want to return and enjoy the fascinating views again.