Chemal river in Altai Republic.

Chemal is one of the recreational centers of the Altai Republic. In the village and in its district there are a large number of tourist camps and campsites. Known as a mountain resort.
In the southern part of the village is the Chemal hydroelectric station, one of the first hydroelectric power plants in the region, built in 1931-1935 by prisoners from the Siberian Special Camps Administration (SibULON). In its vicinity there are a large number of stalls with souvenirs, cafes, various attractions. In 2013, the hydroelectric power plant pipeline was defrosted, and the 2014 flood caused significant damage to the plant’s structures. In 2015, the hydroelectric power station was decommissioned, the reservoir was completely empty. Currently, the dam functions as a museum.
Downstream of the Katun River from the mouth of the Chemal River, not far from the hydroelectric power station on the picturesque rock island of Patmos, standing in the middle of the river, there is a female monastery of John the Theologian of the Barnaul Znamensky Monastery. The island is connected to the riverbank by a pedestrian suspension bridge. Near the temple in the rock the image of the Virgin and Child is cut down.
In Chemal, the Altai Center created by the aga-zaisan of the Altai people, Alexander Kindyshevich Bardin, is located, whose expositions tell about the history, beliefs and life of the Altai people.