Geographical location:

Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan region, Abay district, Shyngystau mountain tract, at the foot of mount Aktas (white stone or chalk mountain).

Route:

1. from the regional center of Ust-Kamenogorsk to the cave "Konyr Aulie" - 500 km (on an asphalt road 400 km, on a dirt and gravel road 100 km);

2. from the city of Semey to the cave "Konyr Aulie" - 280 km (on an asphalt road 180 km, on a dirt and gravel road 100 km).

2. from Semey city to the house - Museum of Abay in zhidebay-180 km.

Description:

Near the village of Toktamys (Bestamak, Sargaldak, Kyzyltu) of the Abai district, local historians have found 40 caves. These places are called "Kyryk ungir" (Forty caves) - "Konyr Aulie", "Kyzyl Aulie", "Kishi Aulie", "Shanyrak Aulie", etc.

The Konyr-Aulie cave is probably shrouded in myths and legends since its inception. According to legend, it was discovered by the prophet Konyr. It was a long time ago. According to the legend, three prophets of the Kazakh land did not manage to get into the saving Noah's ark, and they had to spend all the time of the flood on logs that were tied to the ark. When the water began to fall, and the land appeared, the log of Konyr caught on the ridge of Aktas (White Stone), in the crevice of which the cave is located. Inside it is a stone bowl filled with water that has healing properties.

Mount Aktas with the cave "Konyr-Aulie" is considered the third chalk mountain in our country. Behind the vault of the cave, two halls open, after which the passages diverge further, narrowing in some places, and its length is not set. The approximate size of the "cave" reservoir is 17-18 by 12-15 meters.

Depth - up to five meters. The water is crystal clear with a lime taste and cold (the water temperature is only 4 C). At a distance of 50 m. the roof of the cave falls very low over the water on the edge of the lake. According to local aksakals (elders), their distant ancestors who came here to heal wounds after bloody skirmishes with the Dzungars knew about this unique water.

It was here that troops of Genghis Khan had healed his wounds, it was here that troops Kabanbay Batyr dealt a crushing blow at the Dzungars, hiding in a cave, here down can't find the edge of a lake or river, here comes the suffering with faith in healing, it is here that holds many mysterious things in this sacred place sometimes appear shimmering phantoms in the darkness, and finally, here is the epicenter of Eurasia, and who knows whether here is buried the great Genghis Khan. According to legend, under 15 meters of water at the bottom of the cave there is a secret door, behind which the main cave is hidden, which became a crypt - the last resting place of the mysterious Khan.

Once upon a time in one of the halls found a stone statue of the Keeper of the cave "Konyr Aulie", which was a talisman or talisman. According to the aksakals, there were 15 such stone statues, and after a while they were lost and disappeared, or simply were not preserved.

The cave is unique in that, firstly, the healing properties of the water attract pilgrims, and secondly, the cave will intrigue and interest any visitor.

Literature:

Altai - Nazarbayev LEMN Altyn besigi [MTN]. - Oskemen : [b. I.], 2018. - Konyr Aulie ungiri; B. 207-210.

Bryukhanov, V. A. Konur-Aulie [Electronic resource] / V. A. Bryukhanov. - B. TS.

Classical studies [Text]. Vol. 13: Index of books, magazine and newspaper articles and notes about the Kyrgyz (about the Kazakhs) / A. E. Alektorov. - Almaty: Adebiet Alemi, 2013. - 976 p. - Vitebsk Provincial Vedomosti, 1892, no. 63; P. 236.