The petroglyph field is the reason Cholpon-Ata belongs on a travel map even for people who do not care about beach resorts. Across a wide, dry plain northwest of town, hundreds of boulders carry carvings of ibex, deer, horses, camels, hunters, and ritual scenes.
Go early or late, when the light catches the carvings and the stones do not radiate midday heat. The site is spread out and lightly interpreted, so it helps to slow down rather than expecting a museum route with perfect labels.