Kadji Sai (кажы сай) is a small picturesque town in the middle of the south lakeshore of Issyk Kul.
Understand
It lies a few kilometres from the shore, where there is a bus stop. There is a long popular alley, an old building built by German war prisoners (actually the best-made building in town). Behind the town there is a stone wall.
Get in
All means of tranport go by Kadji Sai along the highway between Karakol and Balykchy. A marshrutka from/to Bishkek costs around 350 soms (Sept 2009) and takes around 4 hr. Or head to Balykchy first and then take another transport towards Karakol along the southern shore.
See
Beautiful surroundings. There is also orphanage for ethnic Kyrgiz from all over the region of Central Asia. But most known is for its former surface uranium mine that is now practically deserted because of its low richness. It is not very secured, so when it rains (fortunately it is not often), radioactive water flows to the lake. But swimming there is excellent, with a bit of adventure. Something like roentgen ...
Do
- Enjoy the beach. at Kadji Sai 2, near the highway.
- Kadji Sai Hot Spring. A radioactive hot spring with radon water. The level of radon is above 5 pCi/L.
Hiking
- 1 Tashta Ata Mountain (3,908 m) (Tasjtarata / таштар ата тоосу) (about 10-15 km hiking one way). With an astonishing view of the lake panorama.
- 2 Shatyly Panorama. A spectecular viewpoint from the mountain behind Kadji Sai over the valley and the lake. The hike itself from the road (or small village) is just 2 km. However, this starting point is about 15 km from Kadji Sai.
Eat
Sleep
Most places can be found in its twin village Kadji-Sai 2 at the highway, like:
- 1 Manjyly Ata Yurt Camp (Манжылы юрточный лагер), ☏ 996 700308834.