Kadji Say

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 transport go by Kadji Sai along the highway between Karakol and Balykchy. A marshrutka from 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.

• 1 God's View. A picturesque viewpoint along the southern highway of Lake Issyk Kul with a cemetery, the plains and mountains. (updated Nov 2018)
• 2 Manjyly Ata Monument (Манжылы Ата) (just nearby God's View, about 600 m towards the mountains). A sacred place. (updated Nov 2018)
• 3 Abandoned mosque and festival ground. A quite picturesque scenery on front of the lake with beautiful paintings and a stage behind. (updated Nov 2018)

Do

• 1 Kadzhi-Sayskiy Beach (Каджи-Сайский пляж), Kadji-Sai 2. A popular beach resort with many activities, facilities and hotels nearby. Though, it is very busy in summer and some people will prefer more remote beaches on the southern shore. (updated Mar 2019)
• Kadji Sai Hot Spring. A radioactive hot spring with radon water. The level of radon is above 5 pCi/L. (updated Nov 2018)

Hiking

• 2 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. (updated Nov 2018)
• 3 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. (updated Nov 2018)

Eat

There is a cafe in 1 Kadji Sai village and a shop.

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. (updated Nov 2018)