The gorge cuts, in a general north-south direction, across one of Tian Shan's mountain range systems. The range east of the gorge is known as Kyungey Ala-Too (Russian:Кюнгей Ала-Тоо, based on similar Kyrgyz spelling), the one to the west is the Kyrgyz Ala-Too (Russian:Киргизский хребет).
The Chu River passes northwards through it and then enters the wider Chuy Valley. The Bishkek-Tokmak-Kemin-Balykchy highway (A365) passes through the gorge, as does the railway from Bishkek to Balykchy.