Tamshaly valley.
Kazakhstan Nature National Parks. Kazakhstan recreation zones. Regions Kazakhstan

Not far from Aktau, in 35 km from Fort-Shevchenko, one can see a little nook from Paradise called Tamshali, which means "merry thaw" in Kazakh. This is a valley covered with willow and poplar trees, bushes. A lake with blackberry and mint bushes on its shores can also be found here.

Water soaks from under a wide stone platform in the shape of a cornice and drips drumming on the stone. Here you can hear the Weeping Stone legend.

It is possible to reach the spring walking by the canyon or along the precipice, which consists of various colored types of mining rock.

The colors under sun have been faded and missed their brightness. Suddenly in front we can see big green spot. It appears nearer.

We're nearing to alone tree, then one can see two little reservoirs, bushes of cane and mint. Water drops overflow from rock. Like tear drops they're falling down. Plenty of shining transparent streams like a silver curtain of fantastic theater.

It seems that rock whispers "Tamshaly, Tamshaly".

It cool and calm there. Tamshaly is unique and rare place. Let's heard legend about destiny of beautiful Meret.

She was rich Turkmen Han's wife. He wandered with his herds along the peninsula. Meret's husband was ill old man. Soon he died and the high mazar had been built in his light memory. Widow grieved for husband, cried and started working. Summer that year was very hot and droughty. The wind was dry. People were agonizing.

The animals parched with thirsty. Horses and camels missed their milk. It seems that death fly over steppe.

Beautiful Meret thought why she couldn't take water from sai hiding his roots from everyone. She decided to make pathin black rock herself. She found the masters and promised them good payment. Han's rich relatives afraid that Allah punishes Meret for her impudence.

However brave woman decided to make path to the rock and take water and then to give water to herds. She thought if people wouldn't thirsty the whole aul will be happy. Kymis ans shubat will return power to men and fortitude to women.

Beautiful Meret was quite right. The wind in this land interfering in canes, rustling leaves. Watermelons are becoming green on the small plantations, oblong melons are taking sweetness, and tomatoes are reddening, hearing Tamshaly drops.

Joint project of OrexCA.com and KTA & KAGIR. Information is taken from CD "All about tourism in Kazakhstan"