Hello, I’m Sugiura, the editor-in-chief of Ashu Travel, a travel agency specializing in Central Asia.
The Chong Kemin Valley is a hidden tourist attraction in Central Asia. This is a place where the untouched wilderness and the traditional nomadic culture of Kyrgyzstan have been beautifully combined.
In addition, the Cheongok-min Valley is also famous for its wide range of activities. You can conquer the thrilling rapids by rafting, ride horses through the grasslands, and trek to the spectacular Lake Kolkogol.
Chongkemin is the perfect place to leave work behind and refresh your mind and body. So, let’s open up our minds and bodies in this unknown world and start your adventure!
What kind of place is Cheonggye-min?
Chon-Kemin Nature Park is a nature reserve located in the Kemin district of the Chui region of Kyrgyzstan. It is located approximately 135km from the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. This is a place where the beauty of unspoiled nature and the culture of nomadic people live on.
The name is difficult to understand, but the scenery is spectacular along the Cheonggyecheon River.
The Cheongok River, which flows through Cheongok-min Natural Park, originates from the mountains with the tongue-twisting names of the Kungeiara-tu and Iriskiara-tu mountain ranges. The river is a whopping 116km long, and passes through valleys surrounded by forests and seven lakes before finally emptying into the Choo River. What a magnificent natural wonder… A magnificent work of art from the natural world, on a par with a great historical drama!
This is what it means to be “idyllic”.
Once you step inside, you will find yourself in an idyllic landscape that seems like something out of a picture book. The horses and sheep grazing peacefully on the grassy plains nestled between the majestic mountains, the babbling of the clear river, and the fir trees swaying in the pleasant breeze will make you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Untouched unexplored regions that remain on the earth
The area that is protected as Cheongok-min Natural Park was established in 1997. What is particularly noteworthy is that it is a place where you can see the natural beauty of the area as it is, and there are many rare plants and animals. It is a rare area where you can feel the true nature of the earth, which has not been tampered with. I like movies, and it feels like I am walking around on the set of the movie Avatar.
Popular activities you can do in Cheonggye
Now, here’s the main topic! The Cheongok-min Valley is not just a tourist spot. It’s the perfect spot for those who love activities and who have a sense of adventure. You can ride a horse through the great outdoors, spend time relaxing by a quiet lake, or interact with the nomadic people. The possibilities are endless, making it a true “treasure trove of adventure”!
Run through the mountains and grasslands [Hiking & Horseback Riding]
There are plenty of trekking courses in Cheonggyemin Natural Park that can be enjoyed by beginners and experienced trekkers alike, from light walking to serious mountain climbing. As you walk up the steep slopes, you can refresh your mind and body with the magnificent Alpine meadows that spread out before you and the scenery of the valley that you pass through in the forest! And the feeling of riding a horse through the vast meadows is just like a scene from a movie. When you take that first step, you feel like the hero of a movie.
Ride the rapids! [Rafting]
The Cheonggyecheon River is a tourist spot that is irresistible to those who love playing in the water. There are a wide range of courses for rafting through the rapids, from beginners to advanced. You can feel the power of nature with the spray of water. Rafting while listening to the sound of the water and the wind is an adventure experience that will stay with you.
Don’t miss the rare animals! [Wildlife observation]
There are many rare animals living in the park, such as lynx and Steller’s sea-eagles. If you’re lucky, you might even see them poking their heads out of the grass. Take your camera and a telephoto lens and set off on an adventure through the wild kingdom.
Experience the traditions and culture of Kyrgyzstan in a yurt
Chon-Kemin is a place where the traditions of Kyrgyzstan remain alive. There are also tours where you can stay in a yurt (or yurt, a tent for nomads) and experience traditional cuisine. Many Kyrgyz people are known for their warm hospitality, and they are especially welcoming to Japanese people. Make your trip a special one that you will remember for a long time to come by interacting with the locals and enjoying their music and food.
Let’s go find the “ultimate adventure” in Cheonggye-min!
Cheongok-min is a popular tourist spot, but it is not just a tourist destination. It is a place where the beauty of nature, the depth of culture, and the thrill of adventure are beautifully combined to create the “ultimate experience”. After releasing your adrenaline with rafting, you can heal yourself in the great outdoors with hiking, and at night you can experience cultural exchange with the locals in a ger. You can be sure to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life and refresh your body and mind.
If you want to enjoy both “natural adventure” and “cultural depth” on your trip to Kyrgyzstan, be sure to plan a trip to Chong Kemin.
Ashu Travel’s recommended tours
If you’re interested in the adventures of the Cheon-Ke-Min, but don’t feel like planning it yourself, we recommend the “Valley Horse Riding Trekking to Lake Kolkogol Tent Stay Tour” from Ashu Travel.
During the tour, you will visit Cheongke-min Valley and go trekking while enjoying horse-riding in the rich natural environment. After enjoying the spectacular scenery of Cheongke-min Valley, you will go horse-riding and camping at Lake Kol-kogol. After enjoying the magnificent mountain scenery, you will visit the Ak-beshim ruins and Silk Road ruins. This is a fulfilling tour where you can enjoy nature and history to the full!
A Japanese-speaking guide will carefully show you around, so please don’t worry if you are worried about the local language.
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