Askat: Art in a Natural Monument

Askat combines a distinctive artistic profile with a valley landscape whose waters change with the seasons. The five-square-kilometre Askat Valley is recognised as a natural monument and includes the village. This gives you two different focuses to consider when planning your trip: arts and crafts and cultural activities in Askat, as well as hiking and riding trails in the valley and the Blue Lakes nearby. Which of these appeals to you more can help shape how you spend your days and where you look for your holiday apartment.

Art and local history in Askat

Askat is known as the “City of Masters”; many artists and craftspeople live there. The Kauri Ethnographic Gallery displays works by the Kauri family and other Altai craftspeople. These include ceramics, hand-forged works, ocarinas and paintings. The different art forms come together in one exhibition space: arts and crafts, instruments and painting each bring their own distinctive focus. If you plan to make the gallery a set stop on your itinerary, check visiting arrangements in advance.

The artists at the Golovan family exhibition hall lead excursions about Askat’s history and Altai legends. This offers a different focus from viewing works of art: here, the village’s history and Altai stories take centre stage. If you would like to plan such an excursion, ask about suitable dates in advance.

Another cultural focus

The Diamond Way Buddhist Centre is located in Askat, between a forest and a bend in the Katun. Buddhist talks, discussions and meditations, as well as celebrations, take place there. Alongside art and local history, Buddhist themes are another possible focus for your trip. If you are interested in taking part, check in advance whether and when a visit is possible.

Trails in the valley and the Blue Lakes

The Askat Valley has hiking and riding trails. Hiking and riding offer different ways to experience the landscape, which may be a consideration when planning active days. Before setting out on a particular route, it is advisable to check trail conditions and access.

The Blue Lakes are in Chemal District, Altai Republic, five kilometres from the village of Askat. By car, the route follows the Chemal Tract through Askat and runs along the left bank of the Katun. The lakes change with the river’s water level: when it drops at the end of August, three separate lakes remain in hollows. When planning a visit, bear in mind the seasonal change in water level and check the route before setting off.

This creates a practical distinction when choosing your holiday apartment: the gallery, excursions and Buddhist activities are associated with Askat; the Blue Lakes are five kilometres from the village and add a seasonal consideration to your plans. If culture is your main interest, Askat itself is the focal point. If you plan to visit the lakes, treat the journey there as a separate outing. This way, you can tailor your search to the experiences you want to define your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Novosilikatnyy, Shebalino, Aya, Smolenskoye, Novoaltaysk, Altayskoye, Katunskoye, Basargino.

For the main travel overview: Altai Region.