Jeti-Oguz Rocks
Red sandstone cliffs near Karakol, including the "Seven Bulls" formation and the "Broken Heart" rock.
About
The Jeti-Oguz cliffs rise above a green valley with pine woods and open pasture, a line of red sandstone ridges that glow in the sun. The Seven Bulls are a row of jagged spurs along the ridge, and the Broken Heart is a rock split in two.
Local legends link the formations to stories of rivalry and love. A short walk takes you to the base of the rocks, and from there trails lead into the valley for horse rides, picnics and mineral springs.
History
The name Jeti-Oguz means seven bulls, referring to the row of red rock spurs that, according to local legend, are the bulls of an old story. A well-known tale about the Broken Heart rock tells of a khan whose beloved was killed by a rival, and the rock’s split shape is said to represent the broken heart of the bereaved. The valley below has long been used as summer pasture by herding families, and it lies beside a gorge with hot springs. In the Soviet period, a sanatorium was built nearby to make use of the springs, and the area became a holiday spot. Geologically, the red colour comes from iron-rich sandstone laid down in a warm, dry period millions of years ago, while later movements of the earth tilted and cracked the layers. Today the rocks are a popular day excursion from Karakol, with a few yurt camps and guesthouses in the valley.