Legendary Jety-Oguz

The Jety-Oguz valley is located south-west of the city of Karakol at Issyk Kul Lake. It stands as one of the most gorgeous sites in Kyrgyzstan, a rich valley that boasts many impressive waterfalls and canyons. It’s serves as a national zoological reserve, home to various species of animals and birds. This valley is rich with legends and tales. The name Jety-Oguz, which translates from Kyrgyz as "Valley of Seven Bulls," originates from one of these stories.

Broken heart

The legend says that in this mountain region lived two kings (khan). One of them was greedy and evil, and the other - noble and just. One day, the evil Khan kidnapped his neighbor’s beautiful wife. Since then, the two kinds began to argue and fight among themselves. The brainy people advised to the evil Khan:

“- Your enemy demands that you return his wife. You can grant his wish. Kill the woman and give her body to the one who seeks her return. What can your enemy respond? You have fulfilled his demand. Your heart will be quiet, for he will not be able to possess the woman you will return to him...”

Khan liked the advice of brainy people. To implement the plan, he arranged in the mountains a large memorial (feast). Many people came to visit. On this occasion, he sacrificed seven bulls. And when the seventh was killed, the king pushed a knife into the heart of his beloved. Hot blood splashed from the wound, covering the mountains in red, and it can still be seen on the cliffs. Along with the blood, boiling water poured out, flooding the valley below. The scalding stream killed the guests and the Khan’s followers who were there for the feast. The waves carried away the red bulls prepared for the celebration.

Since then the valley has been named after the seven bulls Jeti-Oguz. There you can see on one side a large rock formation in the form of a broken heart, and on the other - seven stones located one next to the other.