Kaji-Say on Issyk-Kul can be explored through three specific themes: bays along the shore, modern art in the village, and a medieval settlement to the east. There is also a short inland hike to rock formations and a road connection along the southern shore. For planning, places in the village and destinations in the surrounding area are separate options: you can prioritize water, culture and landscape depending on the length of your stay.
Shoreline Bays and Aquathlon
Locals use the bays near Kaji-Say for swimming. Kaji-Say Beach was the venue for an open-water aquathlon on July 12, 2026: participants swam in Issyk-Kul and then ran. There are also village shops in the settlement.
Art in the Village, Settlement History to the East
The Shugaev Museum of Modern Art is located in the village. It comprises around 18 rooms with at least 200 paintings by modern artists. Artists from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Azerbaijan are represented. Its location in the village sets this cultural destination apart from the archaeological settlement to the east.
The Kadzhi-Say settlement is located 1 km east of the village, on a high, steep terrace above Issyk-Kul, and dates from the 9th to the 12th century. Its square layout measures 60 by 60 meters. The surviving walls are up to 3 meters high, and there are also towers. The museum and settlement therefore represent different historical periods: modern painting on the one hand, and a medieval complex on the other.
Rock Landscapes and Getting There
The cliffs around Kaji-Say reveal colorful layers of rock and striking formations. Inland lies the Valley of the Demons, with its rock formations; it can be reached from Kaji-Say on a short hike. These landscape destinations complement the themes of water and history without requiring a packed itinerary.
The A363 runs through Kaji-Say and connects the southern shore of Issyk-Kul with Balykchy and Karakol. You can reach the village by public transport, car or tourist services. If you plan to use public transport, check suitable travel times before your trip.
Near Kaji-Say, on the shore of Issyk-Kul, is the Oimo-Tash yurt camp. It offers stays in traditional yurts with modern amenities and is an accommodation option near the village.
The Wider Region: Yssykköl Region
In the wider Yssykköl Region destination, Issyk-Kul is 180 km long and 60 km wide. Its shoreline is approximately 688 km long, and its beaches cover a total of about 320 km. These figures put Kaji-Say’s connection to the water into the context of the larger lake and shoreline area.
The Issyk-Kul Biosphere Territory is also part of the regional context. It is a state-designated, specially protected natural area and was included in the global network of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in September 2001. Its approach combines the conservation and use of areas with rich natural and cultural heritage, sustainable recreational use, and the protection and restoration of natural resources.
Discover more destinations: Grigorievka, Balykchy, Tamga, Teploklyuchenka, Dolinka, Chong-Sary-Oy, Tosor, Tamchy
For the wider travel overview: Yssykköl Region.
