In the Republic of Altai, near the border with Mongolia, there is a small village called Tashanta. It is home to less than a thousand inhabitants, mostly Kazakhs and Altaians. The territory belongs to the Kosh-Agachsky district, the largest area in the Altai Republic. You can get to Tashanta along the Chuysky tract. The area is often visited by tourists seeking to visit the Russian or Mongolian Altai Mountains, since only here you can cross the border. Breathe in a breath of fresh air, get acquainted with the antiquities and customs of the Altai Kazakhs, relax on a hillside or on the shore of a picturesque lake, from where you can see the snow-capped peaks of the mountains in the distance - these are not all the opportunities that appear when visiting this region.
Description
The village of Tashanta in the Republic of Altai is located at an altitude of about two kilometers above sea level. The Tashantinka River flows nearby. There are a little more than twenty streets in the village, all of them have Russian names, dating back to the times of the Soviet Union. There are, for example, such: Pushkin, Lenin, Zarechnaya. The border crossing is also located here; motorists wishing to get from Russia to Mongolia or vice versadirection, line up. Staying in the most populated area for travelers from Russia has no restrictions. It is enough to show the Russian passport to the border guards. But for residents of foreign countries, there are special rules for staying in the border area.
It is worth noting that the borders of the PRC and the Republic of Kazakhstan are also not so far away. The local nature is rather scarce: there are few plants, there are practically no forests nearby. In the photo, Tashanta in the Republic of Altai appears as a small village, the main purpose of which is a border post.
What to see?
The well-known attraction of this place are rock paintings. They can be seen on a long stretch, especially on the rocks between the Tashantinka and Yustyt rivers. By the number of images there are more than a hundred, among them are petroglyphs with various animals: camels, goats, occasionally eagles. You can find them by following east of the village. The path is not short: you need to walk about 10 kilometers.
People come to Tashanta of the Altai Republic to look at the stelae of the Yustyt complex. The oldest burial mounds are nearby. Stones in the form of idols, with carved human faces, make a strong impression on inexperienced tourists. Against the backdrop of high mountains and hills, you can take a series of beautiful photos to commemorate the trip. Walking a little further, you can find many burial structures found by archaeologists. They are called kereksury. They look like a mound with a fence of round stones. An unusual sighttherefore, the place is visited by many tourists every year.
The world-famous Chuysky tract is the road that leads to Tashanta. Travelers from different countries admired her beauty. Passing by, you can see stunning views on the sides: mountain slopes, snow-white peaks, winding turbulent rivers, flowering mountain plants.
The famous Altai river Katun will be visible from the windows of the car with turquoise water.
Other places of interest
Among other attractions of Tashanta in the Altai Republic, it is worth mentioning a place in the vicinity called Kyzyl-Chin. This is a territory with an extraordinary landscape: a tract in which, due to the high concentration of metal ore, the clay soil has a red tint. The attraction was jokingly nicknamed "Mars", there are no plants here, the desert lands are covered with cracks in places. Climbing higher in the mountains, photographers can capture other shades of the landscape: green, brown, white (the color was influenced by the time the formation of each soil layer).
There are many beautiful lakes not far from Tashanta in the Altai Republic. Near the border with the neighboring state, there is a large and stunning Lake Kindyktykul.
In the very center there is an island, and nearby there are several small reservoirs with the purest water. One of these is Lake Kok-Kol, formed on the Boguty River.
Museum in Kosh-Agach region
For those who are interestedhistory of the region, you should definitely visit the Museum of Altai Kazakhs. It was opened at the end of the last century. Located in the small village of Zhana-Aul. The exposition presents numismatics, unique archaeological finds, photographic documents. You can get acquainted with the interior of the yurts, listen to a lecture about the life of the Kazakhs. On certain days, guests can hear the local band's choir. The museum is open from 10 am, all days except Monday and Tuesday.
Archaeological discovery
Another unusual place worth visiting on the way to Tashanta of the Altai Republic is the Tarkhatinsky megalith complex. Its location is in the Chui steppe.
The complex is a stone block of large diameter laid in a circle. Numerous petroglyphs are applied to the surface. Historians have established that the local "Stonehenge" appeared in the Bronze Age. There are different versions of the structure's purpose, one of which says that the stones were used to study astronomical bodies.
Rest in Tashanta (Republic of Altai)
Visiting tourists can stay overnight with local residents, or put up tents near the village. The most suitable place will be near the river. There are several organized campsites near the archaeological sites. A little further away, but in the same area, is the fairly well-known Tydtuyaryk campsite, which provides a guide service and the opportunity to spend the night in a yurt. And hotel rooms with all amenities can be rented in the village of Kosh-Agach.
Local riverperiodically dries up, so it is recommended to stock up on water along the way. There are several infrastructure facilities in the village of Tashanta in the Altai Republic: small rural shops and cafes.
Here travelers can buy groceries and essentials. The range of goods, however, is small. Therefore, the best option would be to stop at a larger settlement along the way (Kosh-Agach, Aktash).
How to get there?
The choice of path depends on where the tourists will move from: from Mongolia or from Russia. On the way to Tashanta through the Republic of Altai, you will meet several settlements and vast territories of the Chuya steppe. Its length is at least 70 km, ridges and mountain ranges are located on different sides.
The path lies through Kosh-Agach, and after the Ulandryk tract, the wooden houses of the Tashantians will already be visible. Those who do not plan to get there by their car can do it by taxi (by ordering, for example, a car from Biysk or Gorno-Altaisk) or use a regular bus that goes to the district center. But the bus schedule should be checked in advance.
