One of the top places to visit in Kyrgyzstan is Fairytale Canyon, a gorgeous landscape showcasing multi-colored rock formations and strikingly eroded sandstone cliffs that create an otherworldly atmosphere.
Also called Skazka Canyon, the surreal setting is how Fairytale Canyon gets its name, as the rock formations often resemble mythological creatures and castles. Taking it in, you feel like you’re on another planet!
Personally, it was one of my favorite places I visited. And as one of Kyrgyzstan’s top attractions, I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
Ready to visit one of the most beautiful places in Central Asia? Continue reading to learn about the history and legends surrounding Fairytale Canyon, plus important tips for visiting!
Short on time? Here are some top Kyrgyzstan recommendations:
Hotel: Bell Tam Seaside Yurt Camp is a comfortable and trendy camp on Issyk-Kul Lake that is about 40 minutes away
Multi-Day Kyrgyzstan Tour Operator: Visit Alay
Recommended Fairytale Canyon Excursions from Bishkek:
–2-Day Tour to Issyk-Kul Lake with Canyons & Waterfalls
–5-Day Natural Wonders of Issyk-Kul, Son-Kul & Chon-Kemin Tour
–10-Day Nomads, Legacy & Nature Tour of Kyrgyzstan
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing (budget-friendly) & World Nomads (robust); if you’re trekking, consider Global Rescue, which offers air evacuation services as well as a travel insurance add-on.
Staying Connected: Saily eSIM
Visiting Fairytale Canyon Logistics:
- Entry: 50 som per person
- Hours: Dawn until dusk
- Getting to Fairytale Canyon: Click here for a Google Map location, though you can also simply put “Fairytale Canyon” into Google Maps and it will populate
- Trail Map: Here is a map showcasing the trail through Fairytale Canyon and the various viewpoints you might want to check out. You’ll also see this sign in person when you visit Fairytale Canyon:
Fairytale Canyon Location
Fairytale Canyon is located on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan and is easily accessible from the main highway, just 125 kilometers (78 miles) east of Balykchy and 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Tosor village.
Additionally, it’s a popular stop for those traveling between Karakol City and Bokonbaevo Village or Song Kul Lake, which are also some of Kyrgyzstan top attractions not to miss.
Highlights Of Fairytale Canyon Skazka
Love hiking? As you can see on the map at the top, there is a hiking trail within the canyon that connects a number of viewpoints. These include:
Castle. This striking rock formation resembles the turrets and battlements of an ancient fortress.
Colorful Hills. Here you’ll see a series of vividly hued slopes that display a stunning array of reds, yellows, and oranges, thanks to the mineral-rich soils and sediments.
Panorama. This Fairytale Canyon viewpoint offers a sweeping and unobstructed view of the entire Fairytale Canyon, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty of the layered rock formations and colorful hills surrounding you.
Chinese Wall. This is a long, narrow rock formation that stretches across part of the canyon and is reminiscent of the iconic Great Wall of China.
How Fairytale Canyon Skazka Was Formed
No Kyrgyzstan itinerary would be complete without visiting. Why? Well, the main reason Fairytale Canyon is one of the top Kyrgyzstan tourist attractions is due to its unique landscape.
Shaped by wind, water, sun, and tectonic uplifts, it’s made up of distinctive red Neogene sediments transformed into a fairytale-like environment shrouded in mystery and myth.
The landforms, consisting of clay and sand, are easily reshaped by natural erosion and are constantly evolving. This means that if you visit Fairytale Canyon today, it may look very different if you return in 10 years!
Legend Of Fairytale Canyon Skazka
With such a fairytale-like atmosphere, it’s no surprise that this Kyrgyzstan attraction also has a legend attached.
Archeological evidence suggests that the Issyk Kul basin was once home to a few powerful cities.
According to the legend, in one of these cities lived a beautiful young woman. A huge red dragon fell in love with her, but she did not reciprocate his feelings.
Angered, the dragon vowed to drown the cities in the valley. Every night, he tried to draw water from the local wells using his magic. The locals, however, covered the wells with golden lids to block his spells.
One night, the young woman forgot to cover her well, allowing the dragon to flood the entire valley and create the lake.
Enchanted by the lake’s beauty, the dragon lay down on the southern shore, turning into rocks—which, according to the legend, is how Fairytale Canyon came to be!
As a nod to this folklore, near the parking lot, there is a gift shop area where you can take photos in warrior attire and sit in a Game of Thrones-esque chair for a small fee (100 som).
Tips For Visiting Fairytale Canyon Skazka
In order to have the best experience possible exploring Fairytale Canyon Kyrgyzstan, there are some important tips to keep in mind:
Wear hiking boots. It’s recommended to wear hiking boots with treads, as the terrain is very slippery. Even if you’re just going to one vantage point, such as the stunning Colorful Hills Viewpoint, you’ll need to go up and down a very slippery and rocky path. While there, I saw a few people attempt to get to the top and give up as it can be a bit scary.
Bring trekking poles. For the same reason that you’ll want to wear hiking boots, trekking poles can help keep you sturdy.
You don’t have to hike high for amazing views. If you’re worried about how slippery the canyon is, note that you don’t have to hike to an official viewpoint to enjoy the amazing scenery. Even just walking a bit up from the parking lot will get you great views!
Consider visiting Fairytale Canyon at sunset. To kick the epic views up a notch, visit at sunset to see the entire landscape cast in an array of colors.
Bring toilet paper and a face mask. The onsite toilets are smelly pit toilets, so you’ll want to bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. I also recommend having a mask with a drop of essential oil or spray on it to mask the odor.
Explore Fairytale Canyon Skazka Through 360* Video
Want a more immersive look at what Fairytale Canyon in Kyrgyzstan actually looks like? Check out this video shot with the Insta360 x4:
