There are many beautiful places in Kazakhstan, but having once visited Sibin, it is impossible to forget the amazing beauty of nature. The combination of granite and lakes is not a rare phenomenon in nature. But the uniqueness of the Sibinsky complex is that five parallel reservoirs with crystal clear water are surrounded by rocks, like pearls in a bizarrely shaped granite frame. Mountain fresh air, clean cool water, serenity and tranquility - this is what attracts vacationers and travelers.
Historic Sites
Silence and tranquility have been found here since ancient times. Back in the seventh century, the Sibinsk lakes attracted the attention of the Dzungar Khan Ablai, and he began the construction of a monastery near Lake Sadyrkol, the first of the reservoirs. The Buddhist temple later gained its fame thanks to the richest temple library, where ancient Tibetan manuscripts were found.
Behind the low granite wall of the monastery, on the mountain, there is a small rocky reservoir. The lake, which, according to legend, has no bottom, is being studied by scientists. They don't quite understand where it comes from. Looks like a pondblack, but if you scoop up water with your hands, you can immediately see that it is absolutely transparent. In this lake, according to legend, Khan Ablai and the monks hurriedly leaving the temple hid treasures, including a golden statue of Buddha in human height and valuable books.
Slightly above the monastery you can see the ruins of an ancient Dzungarian fortress. Immediately behind the fortress is the Baukuys cave, which has preserved traces of ancient people's settlements and petroglyphs of animals. Ablaikit (monastery) is a historically unique place, the silent stones of which still keep the secret of the monks. And who knows, maybe a vacation on the Sibinsk lakes will help someone to reveal the secret of Khan Ablai.
Scuba diving paradise
Ablaikit lakes, as the Sibins are also called, are located at altitudes from 710 m above sea level to 880 m. Their total area is 31 km2. On three sides of the lake are protected by rocks, almost devoid of vegetation. Their height reaches 1300 m above sea level. The lakes are fed by water from cracks in granite and numerous springs. The reservoirs are connected to each other by channels. There are 5 lakes in total:
- Sadyrkol;
- Tortkara;
- Shalkar;
- Korzhynkol;
- Caracol.
Their depth is from 2 to 40 meters. The transparency of the water in the reservoirs is about 6.5 m. The middle lake Shalkar is the largest and deepest, its area is 251 hectares, the transparency of the water in it reaches 11 meters. Sibinsk lakes attract divers, freedivers and spearfishers. Several seasons in a row herefestivals are held for lovers of underwater sports.
The organizers of the Festival-2015 held a competition among hunters for the largest fish, the winner's trophy is carp weighing 12 kg. Local lakes are rich in fish, dominated by roach, bream and perch. There are large crucian carp, tench and rather decent-sized pike and carp. A good indicator of water transparency largely determines the fact that Sibinsk Lakes are chosen for such events.
Reviews of lovers of "natural" tanning say that on the opposite shore of Lake Shalkar there is a real nudist beach. It is also called the "golden beach" because of the clean golden sand.
Water World
The aquatic vegetation of the lakes is represented by more than 30 species, some of which belong to relic plants - pierced-leaved pondweed, yellow water lily, sea mollusk, archer, pemphigus, duckweed, highlander bird, etc. A rare tetrahedral water lily grows here, located on the brink of extinction. Sibinsky lakes were chosen by ducks, gulls, coots. Muskrats are also found in reservoirs.
According to divers, corals grow at the bottom of the lakes. In appearance, they do not differ from sea ones, similar in shape and the same multi-colored, but for some reason soft. Water lilies grow at a depth of three to four meters, from above everyone can see their flowers. And long, thick stems go under the water, and under water it seems that you are walking past the trees. The bottom of the lakes is covered mainly with chara algae. Diatoms, filamentous and green algae are widespread.
Floating plants –these are reeds, reeds, cattails, sedges and oats. Representatives of the flora, which are characterized by dry and waterless soils, the so-called xerophytes, have spread in the adjacent territory. Feather grass, bluegrass, yarrow, mordovnik, plantain, meadow timothy grass, geranium grow in large numbers. There are rose bushes.
Nature Lab
This is what you can call the chemical weathering of granite. Thanks to this ability, the Sibinsk lakes are rich in potassium, calcium, and sodium carbonates. The total mineralization of water is 26 g/l. Pure mountain water has the effect of soda baths and has a healing effect. After bathing, cheerfulness appears, efficiency rises.
The climate on the territory of Sibin is sharply continental. The warm period lasts 210 days. In summer, the maximum temperature reaches +35°C, the average - +19°C. Such a climate, combined with the mountainous clear air, has gained popularity, Sibyny has become a favorite vacation spot for tourists.
Where are the Sibins? Where to stay?
A unique natural complex, famous for its lakes, is located 85 km south of Ust-Kamenogorsk. Wellness centers, recreation centers and private cottages have been built on the territory of the Sibinskiye Lakes. All recreation centers have good conditions for living, excursions and entertainment programs are offered.
In 2014, a new tourist center "Sibiny-Shalkar" was opened. According to the administration, comfortable houses and yurts, walking andhorseback riding, medical equipment, massage room. Conditions for the recreation of people with disabilities have been created at the base. Always fresh products from a nearby farm: honey, milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, meat.
The places here are very beautiful. Mixed forests, in the logs deciduous forest with birch, willow, aspen, rowan, viburnum, bird cherry, hawthorn are slightly less common. Large thickets form juniper, cotoneaster, honeysuckle, wild rose and currant. A relic fir forest grows on Mount Medvedka. From the mountain peaks, magnificent panoramas of the Sibinsk lakes open up.
Recreation center "Sibiny"
Provides comfortable holiday houses. They are equipped with modern furniture, TV, microwave oven, refrigerator. The houses have satellite TV, hot and cold water, a bathroom and a shower. For cars there is a guarded parking lot, on the territory of the base there is a shop and a summer cafe. At the service of vacationers: boat rental, catamarans, tennis court, volleyball court, football field.
The base is located on the second lake, prices vary from 3000 to 22000 tenge/day. In addition, the administration of the base offers an entertainment program, discos, fishing and hiking in the surroundings. It is for this that vacationers go to the Sibinsk Lakes. How to get there? On the days of arrival of vacationers, a bus delivers to the base. You can also get there "on your own".
How to get to Sibinsk lakes by car
Before Sibinskylakes from Ust-Kamenogorsk can be reached in two ways:
- Along the Samara highway to the village. Targyn, further along the gravel road to the village. Algabas.
- Along the Samara highway to the village. Vasilievka (Mamai Batyr), turn right, continue along the paved road to the village. Algabas.
Numerous reviews of vacationers enthusiastically talk about a unique place with azure clear lakes. Granite mountains of bizarre shape and interesting relief are striking in their unusualness. From Ust-Kamenogorsk the road is quite good and allows you to get to the lakes without any problems. About two hours on the road is, of course, a little tiring. But what a pleasure to immediately plunge into crystal-clear and cool water after the traversed path!
