Charyn Canyon

Charyn Canyon
Charyn Canyon
Charyn Canyon, view down to Valley of Castles
Charyn Canyon Location in Kazakhstan
Length	80 kilometres (50 mi)
Geography
Location	Almaty, Kazakhstan
Coordinates	43°21′29″N 79°05′33″E
Rivers	Sharyn River

Charyn Canyon (also known as Sharyn Canyon, Kazakh: Шарын шатқалы, Sharyn shatqaly) is a canyon on the Sharyn River in Kazakhstan (200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Almaty, close to the Chinese border). The canyon is roughly 90 kilometres (56 mi) in length. It is part of the Charyn National Park (established on 23 February 2004), and is located within the territory of the Uygur District, Raiymbek District and Enbekshikazakh District (of the Almaty Province). Over time, the canyon has gained colorful formations of varying shapes and sizes. Though it is much smaller than the Grand Canyon, it has been described as being equally impressive.

Charyn canyon is a unique natural object with peculiar relief forms in the form of chapels, towers, animals, etc., which were formed under the influence of weathering of sedimentary rocks.

Etymology

Some scholars think that the name of the river is derived from the Uyghur word 'Sharyn' meaning "ash tree". There is also another interpretation that it is a derivative of the Turkic root word 'Char', which means a "precipice". Both these interpretations fit the site conditions where the terrain is precipitous, and ash trees are found.

Features

The canyon consists of a formation along the banks of the Charyn River of approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) (90 kilometres (56 mi) is also stated). The river has a total length of 393 kilometres (244 mi). The river originates from the Tian Shan Mountains (meaning: "Heavenly Mountains",) that is spread over the arid semi-desert to eastern Almaty. In various places, it attains a depth of 150 to 300 metres (490 to 980 ft).

The geological formation of the canyon consists of sedimentary red sandstone that has been subject to the "atmogenic process" (defined in Websters dictionary as "atmospheric origin by condensation, wind action, or deposition from volcanic vapors") of water and wind erosion resulting in "rare and colourful formations" in the form of sculptures. One part of the canyon is known as Valley of Castles (Dolina Zamkov) for its unusual rock formations, and its length is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) with a depth of 100 metres (330 ft).

The canyon can be accessed from Almaty on the main road that passes through the villages Chilik, Baiseit, and Kokpek (at a distance of about 190 kilometres (120 mi)). From there, a signposted road leads to the parking area of the canyon over a distance of 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) and passes through the Sharyn (or Charyn) National Park. From the parking area, there is a track that leads to the canyon. Another path from the park (which is 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) in length), leads to an area where views of the canyon are more scenic.

The Temirlik tract

The Temirlik is a tract and natural environmental object. The Canyon of Temirlik River within a band of foothills of a mountain river Charyn included in a protected area of Saranskiy National Park formed in 2004. The protection of the object is by the administration of the Charyn state unitary enterprise. On the territory of this object was a huge lake before. The foothill plain of the Ketmen range is composed of rocks that are deposits of red clay mixed with crushed stone and remnants of rocks that exposed by the Temirlik River, the right tributary of the Charyn. ("Temir" – from Turk - iron). The Temirlik River originates in the peaks of the Ketmen range (from Kazakh - Ketpen-a chain of high mountains (in the East of Almaty region). The other name of the ridge is Uzynkara, which is translated as “long mountain” from Kazakh language. At this point, the river is relatively wide, shallow and calm. There are some species of prehistoric flora and fauna — Sogdian ash in the valley of the Charyn River (Sharyn), one of the largest left tributaries of the Ili River. The current shape of the gorge acquired about a million years ago. Like all canyons cut by river waters, the Temirlik appears across the road unexpectedly, it is difficult to notice it from a distance. A canyon up to one and a half kilometers wide and a gorge up to 160 meters deep represent the middle part of the Temirlik River. The length of the tract is 11 km. there are canopies, narrow slits, corridors, niches everywhere on the slopes of the gorge. They give the area a special appearance. The picturesque canyon with fancy pillars, winding corridors and crevices is very similar to its "older brother", the famous Charyn canyon, and the green strip is tight framed by red rocks of low rock formations makes an extraordinary impression and creates a picture of a colorful wild corner of nature. The scientist, naturalist, entomologist and writer P. I. Marikovsky named the Temirlik tract Nightingale canyon. The singing of the Nightingale is the main Symphony of this area. The Marikovskiy assumed that in the tract lived people who found and processed iron ore.

Tourism

The Charyn Canyon stretches 154 km along the Charyn River (one of the deepest rivers of the Northern Tien Shan mountains). Wind, water and sand sculpted Charyn's red sandstone to form its shapes and shades. Some of the cliffs resemble particular figures, which is why some parts of the canyon are also called the "Valley of Castles", the Witch's Gorge, and the Ghosts Gorge.

The multicolored rock layers are the product of different stages of sediment deposits, which includes volcanic lava rocks at the bottom, and red debris on top. The Charyn Canyon consists of 5 different canyons: the Valley of Castles (the most popular part of the Charyn Canyon), the Temirlik Canyon, the Yellow Canyon, the Red Canyon and the Bestamak Canyon. There are also a number of smaller canyons or tracts, including the Kurtogay Canyon and the Tazbas tract.

Adventure sports activities in the river include white-water rafting and canoeing. Fishing for the local species of fish called "Naked Osman" is also common. Further downstream of the canyon, a dry zone of the gorge called the Red canyon or "Valley of Castles" is located. It stretches over about 1 km and has a depth of about 100 metres (330 ft). There is a track at the valley of the gorge that has naturally sculpted red stone formations.

The Relic Forest is located approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) away from the canyon. The forest, located under the umbrage of the canyon. is known as the "Sogdian ash" (Ash Tree) (a tree that is said to be a derivative from the Ice age). The site is considered unique on various accounts. It was declared a protected reserve in 1964. It is now integrated with the Charyn National Park. Apart from the Ash Tree, other tree categories in the area include the willow, poplar, and barberry.

The area can be accessed from a road originating at Almaty that passes through Kokpek, Shonzy and Zharkent. One of the most striking parts of the canyon is known as "Valley of Castles", for its unusual rock formations created by wind, sun, and water and vertical cliffs reminding the ancient castles.

Protection

The nature monument is protected by the state and the Charyn State Park with the status of a nature conservation and scientific institution.

Gallery

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Bibliography

• Brummell, Paul (1 March 2012). Kazakhstan. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-369-6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Mayhew, Bradley; Bloom, Greg; Clammer, Paul (2010). Central Asia. Lonely Planet. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-74179-148-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Waters, Bella (2006). Kazakhstan in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-8225-6588-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)