a plateau in the northwestern part of the Tuva ASSR, lying within the basin of the left-bank tributaries of the Khemchik River (the lower Alash, the Ak-Sug, the Ustiu-Ishkin, and the Aldy-Ishkin).
The plateau is composed of Lower Paleozoic metamorphosed aleurolites, shales, sandstones, and conglomerates. Its elevation is 1,500–2,000 m. Stone steppes and isolated bald mountains are prominent in the interfluves. The plateau is traversed by deep river valleys with steep, rocky sides. Close to the southern rim of the plateau, which falls off sharply toward the Khemchik River valley, is Lake Sut-Khol’. Stone steppes and deciduous parkland forests are the predominant features of the plateau. Deciduous and cedar forests are common on the north slopes.