The Ukok plateau is located in Gorny Altai on the border of four states: Russia, China, Mongolia and the Republic of Kazakhstan. This amazing place, surrounded by mountains soaring into the sky, has been little studied due to its inaccessibility, but even the research that was carried out made a huge contribution to science and made the public think about the history of life.
Ukok plateau: features of climate and relief
The plateau was lost far in the mountains, before it was impossible to reach it, so they began to explore the surrounding area quite late, although some information was provided in conjunction with materials from other expeditions. The plateau is a flat surface located more than 2 km above sea level. It is surrounded by mountain ranges covered with glaciers even in summer.
Such pristine nature does not lend itself to change on the part of man, since it is very difficult to live in this area. The climate is harsh with frequent precipitation. It often snows even in summer. Due to the strong sun exposure, the Ukok Plateau is often illuminated by sunshine, which decorates the already picturesque landscapes.
Photos of the surrounding area are impressive, so just because of the natural beauty it is worth visiting the plateau. A huge number of animals live here, so it is not at all difficult to see a bear or a leopard.
Today you can get to the most beautiful place with pristine nature on your own. The road starts from Biysk and takes approximately 6-7 hours of driving. If you go, focusing on the entered GPS coordinates, which look like 49.32673 and 87.71168, you can find out how many kilometers the journey to Ukok will take.
Scythians and other peoples
Due to the large accumulation of glaciers that grow here year after year, the plateau hides many secrets of bygone civilizations. Different peoples knew where the Ukok plateau was, so nomadic tribes often crossed it during their travels. From here, scientists often stumble upon household tools that are thousands of years old. It is important to note that among them are products made of leather, clay, wood, which under normal conditions would not have been able to survive.
A lot of similar historical "gifts" were left by the Scythians. If tourists are wondering what to see in this unspoiled area, they will certainly be advised to visit the stone altars, which are considered to be a sacred place created by the ancient people. Rumor has it that if a woman sits on such a man-made chair, she will certainly become pregnant soon.
The mystery of the princess of an extraterrestrial civilization
Excavations in 1993 attracted huge attention to the Ukok board. Scientists have discovered the burial of a man who was sent on his last journey, accompanied by valuable items and a horse. But, what was their surprise when, deeper underground, they discovered an even more valuable treasure that defies logical explanation.
Under the remains of a man was hidden a sarcophagus with a mummified woman of the Caucasian race, who practically did not undergo changes, although her estimated age exceeded thousands of years. A tall woman with beautiful outlines of face and figure was all in jewelry of gold and silver, surrounded by silk fabrics and outlandish gizmos.
We recommend seeing the Shilin stone forest.
But her burial dates from the time when humanity still had to walk in skins with clubs at the ready. Such a discovery made me wonder how this woman got here and why she was treated like a deity.
Scientists called the found woman "Altai princess" and decided to take everything they found from the Ukok plateau. The locals were outraged that the holy territory was disturbed and the remains of the giants were taken out of the ground. They warned in every possible way against attempts to take away the find from the burial places. As a result, the trip to Novosibirsk, and then to Moscow was not easy, and in Altai there were strong tremors that spread far across the neighborhood.
For those who are interested in the unusual story of the appearance of the "princess of Altai", you can hit the road and learn firsthand about the legends around her. Today, few people have difficulties with how to get to the Ukok plateau on their own, as tourists often come here to enjoy the beauty. True, to visit in 2016 you will need a pass, in which it is better to pre-register all the surroundings you want to view.
