Just thirty minutes away by car or on foot from Talas lies an amazing place - the Kulun-Sai mine, one of the most accessible old workings for lead ore extraction in the region. At first glance, an ordinary mountain gorge, Kulun-Sai hides a part of Kyrgyzstan's industrial heritage and literally allows one to "touch" the history of the 20th century.
The mine extends deep into the earth for hundreds of meters: together with its side branches, the length of the underground passages exceeds 500 meters. Here, in the quiet Talas gorge, work once thrived. During the Soviet era, especially during the years of the Great Patriotic War, lead extraction in the Kirghiz SSR became a strategically important industry: lead, like antimony and mercury, was a key metal for the defense industry. The republic became a deep rear area - enterprises were evacuated here, specialists were sent here, and local deposits operated almost around the clock, providing the front and factories with the necessary raw materials.
Lead ores were particularly actively mined in the Talas and Chui Valley regions. These developments later became the basis for the creation of powerful mining and processing plants, and the experience gained during those years laid the foundation for modern mining in the country.
Although Kulun-Sai is primarily known for its Soviet-era mines, the history of mineral extraction in the Talas region goes back much further. The study of ancient workings, dumps, ore enrichment sites, and found tools shows that people have been extracting metals here since time immemorial. Knowledge was passed down from generation to generation, forming a unique mining tradition, the traces of which can still be seen in modern enterprises.
Despite its industrial past, the mine has long become part of the natural landscape. Today, its dark passages are a refuge for bats, small rodents, and some species of amphibians. The natural coolness and humidity are preserved here, and the silence is only broken by the gentle rustle of wings and the sounds of dripping water.
Kulun-Sai is suitable for both a light walk and a small speleological hike. The entrance to the mine is wide and convenient, but inside you will find a true underground labyrinth. Tourists are advised to bring a flashlight, comfortable shoes, and warm clothing, as the temperature inside the mine is noticeably lower than outside.
Why you should visit Kulun-Sai:
Close to Talas - an ideal location for a short route.
Historical value - a rare opportunity to see an underground working from the time of military industrialization in the USSR.
A living corner of nature - observation of bats and the underground ecosystem.
Adventure atmosphere - a safe yet impressive speleotour for beginners.
If you want to feel the breath of history, hear the silence of the underground halls, and walk the paths once taken by miners - the Kulun-Sai mine awaits you.
If there is a place in the Talas region that amazes from the very first step, it is the Talas Birch Grove - the largest man-made birch forest in all of Central Asia and one of those places where humans and nature have created a true oasis of
Among the picturesque mountains of the Bakai-Ata region, not far from the village of Urmaral, lies one of the most mysterious and revered places in the Talas region - the Kara-Koyun cave. This is not just a dark niche in the stone mass, but a
The Besh-Tash Nature Park covers more than 30,000 hectares, stretching nearly 30 kilometers upstream along the river of the same name - from the gentle foothills at an altitude of 1,100 meters to the harsh, cold glaciers rising to 3,500 meters. The
The Talas Geopark "Echkilit-Tuu" is located in the mountain range of the same name, Echkilit-Tuu, which is part of the Kyrgyz Ala-Tuu ridge, in the Sary-Kurai gorge, one of the most impressive natural attractions in Kyrgyzstan. This
In the very heart of the picturesque Talas region, amidst the rugged gorges of the Bakai-Ata district, lies one of the most unusual natural wonders of Kyrgyzstan - the geopark "Kara-Kishi." This place seems to exist outside of time: the
In the Talas Valley, among the hills and green valleys, lies one of the most revered sacred places in the region - the Boo-Terek shrine. Its name translates from Kyrgyz as "a bundle of poplars" or "many poplars," and this is no
In the very heart of the blessed Talas Valley, where the silvery Talas River leisurely carves its way between two majestic mountain ranges - the Talas and Kyrgyz ranges - lies a unique natural oasis. The Talas Forest is not just a green stripe on
If you have already seen Lake Besh-Tash and think that the national park has revealed all its secrets to you, then you simply haven't yet ascended the Itagar Pass. This is the route after which the photos on your phone remain unforgettable,
In the Talas Valley, there is a place where legends come alive at every step, and the silence of the mountains speaks louder than any storyteller. This is the Besh-Tash Gorge - one of the most picturesque and symbolic natural spaces in Kyrgyzstan.
The Besh-Tash National Park, which translates to "Five Stones," stretches in a narrow chain along the Talas Ala-Tuu mountain range. On a good gravel serpentine road up the Besh-Tash river gorge, it feels as if the car is about to hit the
The Ötmäk Pass (3326 m above sea level) is one of the most impressive places in the Talas region and a vital mountain artery connecting the closed Talas Basin with the spacious Suusamyr Valley and the strategic Bishkek-Osh highway. This is the main
On the strategic highway Bishkek-Osh, at the turning point to the road leading to the Otmok Pass (3332 m) and further into the Talas region, lies one of the most recognizable places along the entire route - the so-called "Gates of Talas."