The village of Kosh-Agach. Sights of the Altai Territory

The village of Kosh-Agach is located in the southeast of the Altai Territory and is the administrative center of the same-named region. In this area is quite a harsh climate, so you can meet not so many tourists. The Kosh-Agach district is of special interest for historians, archaeologists and nature lovers. For the admirers of the Buddha, this region is considered a sacred place of power.

Description of the Kosh-Agach region

The locality, located near the village of Kosh-Agach, has a diverse and interesting landscape. The main part of the region is the semidesert, stretched among the snow-capped peaks, whose height is about 2000 meters above sea level. The diversity of the Altai Territory's natural resources is impressive. Here you can see the steppe zone, tundra, as well as coniferous forests that are located near the Jazator River. In forests, trees such as cedar, larch and spruce are most often found.

The winter period here is very long, the cold can last up to 7 months, and this is not surprising, because the most severe climate of the region is in the Kosh-Agach area. The Altai Republic is one of the coldest regions of Siberia, there are places where permafrost is preserved. The temperature difference is very noticeable, during the day the thermometer's parameters can vary significantly.

Description of the village

The history of the settlement is more than 200 years old. Kosh-Agach was founded by Russian merchants in 1801. This place was a trade center in the south of the Altai Mountains. Mongolia until the end of the 1880s belonged to the Chinese Empire and was a trading partner of the Kosh-Agach merchants.

The village is located on an elevated terrain, the height is about 2000 meters above sea level. Here, the Chuya River flows along the banks of which Kosh-Agach stands. From the main administrative center of the Altai Region - Barnaul - the village is 438 km away, but the distance to the Mongolian border is no more than 50 km. The main population of this region is the Altaians and Kazakhs. There are practically no Russians in the village.

The name of the village is of Kazakh origin, it is translated as a "pair of trees". Surprisingly, the village itself is located in the desert area of the Chui steppe and trees in the district can not be found at all. Flocks of feathered predators hover in the sky. In the village there is almost no precipitation, and the weather is mostly sunny.

In 2003 an earthquake occurred in these places, and the settlement itself was in the epicenter of the elements. During the natural cataclysm, some houses were destroyed.

The district is located in the border zone, therefore, in order to visit the Ukok Plateau, you need to obtain permission from the frontier service, whose branch is in the village.

In the village there are a number of social facilities: the market, shops, a recreation center, a gas station, a cafe and a hotel. Kosh-Agach until the early 90's had its own, a small airfield, which brought aircraft from Barnaul. In 2003 the construction of a whole microdistrict of cottages began in the village. In 2014, a solar power station was launched in this area, the first in the country.

Ukok Plateau and other attractions of the area

Despite the fact that the tourist infrastructure in the village is not developed, these places attract numerous groups of foreign and Russian travelers. Of particular interest is the unique nature and plateau of Ukok. In the Kosh-Agach district there really is something to see:

• The Chuya River with numerous rapids.
• Shawlensky lakes.
• Aktru - pristine glaciers.
• Blue Lake.

Also tourists can visit one of two museums, which are in the neighboring villages: Kokor and Zhana-Aul.

The most important and significant sight of these places is the Ukok Plateau, which belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage. The plateau is located on a hill among mountain ranges, at an altitude of 2000-2500 meters above sea level. Several dozen rivers cross it. It is extremely difficult to get here. Mountain passes are hard to reach, and they can be used for several months. But those tourists who show perseverance will get an unforgettable experience. They will open:

• Untouched nature;
• The cleanest lakes;
• A variety of the Red Book animals and birds;
• Evidence of habitat in the local places of ancient civilization (rock painting).

On the plateau, many historical artifacts and architectural monuments were found. Ak-Alaha-3 burial ground is the most famous object. Here in the early 90-ies was discovered mummy Altaic princess, whose age is more than 2500 years.

Where to stay in Kosh-Agach?

If you are determined to visit this unique corner of nature, you will be useful to know where you can stay overnight. Although the village of Kosh-Agach is small in size, there is a decent hotel "Rasul", which can accommodate 30 people at the same time. Near the hotel there are car service establishments: tire service, car wash and gas station.

The hotel has rooms:

• Junior suite - 3;
• Four-bedded room - 2;
• Double - 8;
• Six-seater - 1.

You can park your car next to the hotel for free. In the general hall of the restaurant there is a TV. On the floor there is a bathroom and a shower. In a specially equipped kitchen, visitors can cook their own meals. The hotel has a sauna, there is an opportunity to use an iron. As an entertainment - billiards.