The plateau around Song-Köl is one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. Bright green grass stretches from the shore of the lake all the way to the rocky ridges at the edge of the plateau, and the sky above is enormous and very blue. You can walk for hours without seeing a road or a building — only yurts, horses, and the open sky.
A yurt is a traditional round tent made from a wooden frame covered with felt, which is thick wool pressed flat. They are quick to put up and take down, which is perfect for families who move with the seasons. Inside, colourful rugs and cushions cover the floor, and a small stove in the centre keeps everyone warm even when the night is cold.
Visitors from all over the world now come to Song-Köl in summer to stay in the yurts, ride horses across the plateau, and sleep under skies full of stars. Because the plateau is so high and far from any city, there is almost no light pollution at night — the Milky Way is clearly visible as a bright band across the sky.
The lake itself is home to many birds, including ducks, geese and cranes that stop here on their long migrations between warmer countries. Fish called Issyk-Kul chebak swim in the cold water.