The Sary-Too mountain range, originally named the "yellow mountains" in Kyrgyz, is more appropriately referred to as the "rainbow mountains" due to their striking and vibrant landscape. Resembling layers of a colorful cake, these mountains showcase a breathtaking array of natural hues, including terracotta, turquoise, citrine, emerald, sand, black, and purple.
Formed from the ancient seabed of the Sarmatian sea millions of years ago, the exposed rocks underwent oxidation, resulting in the captivating palette observed today. Abundant in fossils, such as the shells of heterodont mollusks and remnants of prehistoric plants, the Sary-Too mountains are affectionately dubbed "the mountain of shells" by locals.
