The unique Altai Territory has always and rightfully been considered the pearl of Siberia. Here is the mildest climate in Siberia. And the number of sunny days is comparable to the best Crimean and Caucasian resorts. Altai has all the natural zones of the country: taiga, plains, steppes, mountains. Here every traveler will find what he lacks - adrenaline, beauty, peace and quiet.
Nature has endowed the region with abundant rivers and lakes, many of which are healing. There are so many historical and natural attractions that there is enough for more than one trip. Let's talk only about the most unusual places of the region, past which you simply cannot drive.
Denisova cave, Soloneshensky district
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place famous for archaeological finds of a planetary scale. It is here that the remains of an unknown species of ancient people who lived many millennia before the Neanderthals were discovered. In world science, these remains were called "Denisov's man". However, traces of the Neanderthals' habitation and their remains were also found in the cave, in one of the cultural layers. The unique corner turned out to be just a treasure trove for archaeologists. In total, over 20 layers of different epochs of human development have been identified.
The famous cave is named after the holy elder who lived in it in the middle of the 18th century. He is not the only one to check out in this place. A century later, the artist Nicholas Roerich visited it. And in the 20th century, it became a place of pilgrimage for eminent archaeologists and historians.
But it is interesting not only for lovers of history and archeology. This colorful natural landmark was chosen by cavers. And as a tourist site, the cave is included in the TOP places for traveling in Altai.
Shinok waterfalls cascade, Soloneshensky district
Another decoration of the Altai foothills, a natural monument, a nature reserve. By car, you can reach the confluence of the Shinok River with the Anuy, not far from the Denisova Cave. Further - on foot. The path is not easy - along forest and mountainous paths, wade through mountain rivers.
All difficulties will be forgotten the moment the main waterfall Sedoy appears before your eyes. The power of the water falling from the 72-meter cliff is such that few people dare to come very close. Water in this untouched by civilization place of unrealistic purity for our time, it is not only possible to drink it, but also necessary.
The cascade of 9 waterfalls is a stunning sight at any time of the year. In winter, they turn into fantastic ice figures. And they become a place of competition for ice climbers.
Lake Yarovoe, 10 km from Slavgorod
The most famous of the region's healing lakes and the most popular in Siberia. Although its water is inferior, in terms of salt concentration, to the Dead Sea, but it gives the same sensations. And the healing effect is comparable. Especially if you use local mud with a high content of useful elements. According to doctors, the effectiveness of mud treatment is 96%.
The lake is 67 sq. km of the steppe zone of the region. Around there is an excellent sandy beach with infrastructure that is not inferior to the best Black Sea beaches. The concentration of vacationers during the holiday season also resembles the Black Sea coast. The population of the small town of the same name triples in summer due to guests from neighboring Siberian regions.
Mountain Kolyvan
The collective name of the famous places of the Zmeinogorsk region - the lakes of the Kolyvansky, White, Mokhovy, the Belaya river, Borshchevsky and Sosnovsky waterfalls, the Sinyukha and Revnyukha mountains and many unusually bizarre rocks, also with their own names. At the beginning of the 18th century, the richest deposits of silver and copper ores were discovered in these parts, which ensured the glory of the Ore Altai.
At the end of the same century, a jasper deposit was discovered on the slope of Mount Revnyukhi. It was from it that the world's largest vase was made. Today the "Queen of Vases" adorns the Hermitage. And for the manufacture of products from colored stones, which turned out to be rich in the region, the Kolyvan stone-cutting plant was created. Today, beautiful things are produced there from rose quartz, jasper, agate, porphyry, granite, marble, etc. The best of them can be seen in the museum at the factory.
Kolyvan lake
This is the heart of Gornaya Kolyvan. The lake is fresh, small in size. Unusually surrounding rocks and relic plants. In ancient times, this place is the coastline of the sea. Waves and wind worked over the rocks, which now amaze with the bizarre forms. Here you can see towers and whole castles, birds, heroes and mushrooms made of granite.
The water in the lake is warm and clean, which attracts vacationers here. In addition to swimming and taking selfies against the backdrop of unusual rocks, they are looking for chilim. This is another local attraction - the water nut, which is listed in the Red Book. According to scientists, the plant is a legacy of the preglacial period. Since then, this endemic has been growing here. Surprising with an interesting look, similar to the head of a fabulous devil.
Rock Four Brothers, Dunyashkin Key and Serpentine, Belokurikha
Known far beyond the borders of the country, the resort town boasts thermal waters and a medical base. But there are some really unusual places around it.
Four Brothers rock, 12 meters high, can be climbed along equipped paths. And on the way to meet rare birds, chipmunks and unchanging squirrels. The geological monument is incredibly similar to men standing shoulder to shoulder.
There is a spring with healing water not far from the cable car site. The key is called Dunyashkin in honor of a beautiful girl mourning her deceased lover. This is a legend. The water is very tasty, the spring itself is beautifully decorated. In general, it deserves attention.
The most extraordinary beauty serpentine leads to the new resort "Belokurikha-2". The road was built on the site of rocks and is inscribed in a very difficult terrain. In terms of the difficulty of construction, it surpasses the famous Chike-Taman pass in Gorny Altai. Serpentine parameters:
- length over 7 km,
- height difference over 400 meters,
- 12 turns of the road,
- 62 rotation angles.
The place is unusual. As an example of modern engineering ideas and their implementation.
