Sacred places of Zhetysu region -
Excursion to the village of Kapal and the Tamshybulak spring from the city of Almaty -
Tamshybulak spring is a majestic and sacred place, located in the central part of the village of Kapal, is a sacred place of the Zhetysu region and is very popular among pilgrims and travelers. This water source, also known as "Tears of the Earth" or "Crying Spring", is located in a deep ravine, shrouded in emerald moss, along which water from the rock drips in small streams - as if the earth itself is shedding tears. Even in a strong winter, Tamshybulak remains alive: the water does not freeze, steam rises from the ravine, and the green moss retains a rich color all year round - this creates an atmosphere of eternal summer and mystical warmth among the winter snows. The spring is known for its healing properties and has mystical powers, the water in the spring is crystal clear and can be drunk. People come here from far away to collect water.
How to get there and visit -
The Tamshybulak spring is located 355 kilometers from the city of Almaty, 80 kilometers from the city of Taldykorgan, Kapal village, Aksu district, Zhetysu region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 45°07'43"N 79°02'46"E
Information -
Famous travelers and scientists have come to the Tamshybulak spring more than once. In the middle of the 19th century, Shokan Ualikhanov, Pyotr Semenov Tyan Shansky, and later the English artist Thomas Atkinson and his wife Lucy visited here. It was in Kapal that the Atkinsons had a son, who was named Alatau Tamshybulak - in honor of this place of power. It is believed that the waters of the spring helped the boy survive, and Lucy often bathed him in the healing streams of the spring. The spring has been officially recognized as one of the national sacred sites of Kazakhstan since 2021. In 2018, it was included in the list of cultural and historical monuments of the region, and soon its restoration and improvement for tourists and pilgrims began. Today, the Tamshibulak spring is fully protected and maintained: the moss cover has been restored, the territory has been cleaned, surveillance cameras have been installed, and environmental control has been organized.
Those who come to the Tamshibulak spring do not just collect water - they seek healing and inspiration. The waters of the spring are credited with the ability to treat throats, eyes, skin diseases, and strengthen the immune system. And often people, regardless of religion, go to its source for hope and blessing. A special ritual is to drink water at dawn, when the first rays of the sun penetrate the streams, turning them into liquid gold. Old people say that at this moment the water acquires a special power – it cures melancholy, clears the mind and can even (in a whisper) show the way to treasures hidden long ago. And there is also a mysterious phenomenon here: if you throw a silver coin into the water and make a wish, it will come true, but only when the spring "accepts the gift" – sometimes the coins disappear immediately, and sometimes they lie there for weeks.
Tamshybulak is not just a natural spring. This is a place where water and legend, past and present, soul and nature merge together. Here, every sound of a falling drop is like the breath of eternity and an invitation to be attentive to the wonders of the world.
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