Popular Destinations in Kazakhstan

Baikonur city
Baikonur – Baikonur (kazakh. Байкоңыр) – town in Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan. Baikonur is a town of national importance. Before December 1995 it was called Leninsk. Together with the complex Baikonur it is in Russia’s lease till 2050, operates access control.

The cost of Lake Balkhash and city of Balkhash
The Balkhash Lake is a large inland of water after the Caspian and Aral seas. The lake – 614 km, width – from 3.5 to 44 km, maximum depth is 26 m. The phenomenon of Balkhash is different mineralization on its western and eastern parts connected by a narrow strait. Western basin that receives water from the previously abundant in the Ili River – fresh, eastern part of lake is salty. Nature of Balkhash is amazing and full of contrasts. Reservoirs Ili-Balkhash basin is one of the most significant in terms of biodiversity and the reproduction of valuable fish species.

The lake is located in three regions of Kazakhstan: Almaty, Zhambyl and Karaganda. To the north of the lake stretches vast Kazakh hills to the west stretches Betpak Dala, and in the south are the Chu-Ili mountains, sand Taukum, Saryesik-Atyrau. The first historical and geographical information about the Lake Balkhash appeared in the Chinese, who, having contacts with Central Asia, before others could get acquainted with this region. The lake is about 20 species of fish, also has 120 species of birds, of which 12 were in the Red Book. The largest town on the shore of the lake – the city of Balkhash, which is located 380 km from Karaganda at bay Bertys with 75.6 thousand inhabitants.

The city was founded in 1937 on the basis of the settlement Pribalhashstroy, in connection with the construction of copper smelting plant. The history of the city is closely linked with the development of the Balkhash mining and metallurgical complex Balkhash is one of the most important centers of ferrous metallurgy in Kazakhstan. In 1967 at the London International Exhibition Balkhash copper was recognized as the global benchmark for copper. Recreational potential of the lake and surrounding attractions (the mountains Bectauata, riparian forests) attract many tourists.

For several years, various sports events in the movement to save the lake. At the Lake Balkhash very popular types of recreation are beach tourism, water sports: sailing, rowing and canoeing, sport fishing. On the coast of Lake Balkhash is located more than 9 zones relaxation of large industrial enterprises of the region and private entrepreneurs, which has created conditions for recreation for more than 4 thousand people a year. Along the western shore of the lake is part of the highway Almaty – Ekaterinburg, which also has a positive impact on the development of the city. One of the natural attractions of the region is the mountain chain Bectauata – beautiful place of Northern Balkhash.

The top of the peak Bektauata soars up to 1000 meters. In clear weather, the visibility of the picturesque landscape stretches for 100 km. Mountain Range Bectauata is not as extended (4000 ha), but it is decorated with a variety of cliffs and canyons. In the tract Bekctauata grow hundreds of plants, of which 45 are rare, and 8 are in the Red Book. Mountainside Bekctauata formed cave “Auliye” with fresh water, which is considered holy, and the water is healing.

Bayanaul
Bayanaul is a picturesque corner of nature, a centre of Bayanaul region of Pavlodar oblast (province). The village is located near Sabyndykol Lake, at the foothills of Bayanaul Mountains, on the South-East part of Pavlodar oblast. Bayanaul National Park was established in 1985, main attraction of which is nature.

Bayanaul village is a very beautiful place, with the population of 4472 people. Bayanaul vicinities are considered a resort area, which consists of 3 main lakes: Zhasybay, Sabyndykol and Toraigyr and a range of beautiful mountains. Mountain-forest oasis of Bayanaul attracts tourists with its beautiful lakes with beaches, caves and grots. Every year tourists from all over Kazakhstan come to this place to swim in the Lakes and participate in various recreational activities.

Burabay
Beautiful and rich Akmola region, an ancient land of an ancient people. Like a fairy eagle, that has widely spread its wings for the flight, it stretches itself in the north of the republic. Fruitful soils, numerous rivers and lakes, vast pastures, rich metal deposits, generous gifts of the woods, abundance of game-animals and fish have attracted people here from times immemorial. Lakes, rivers, and streams make the region unique. Borovoe, Schuchie, Big and Small Chebachie, Zerenda and hundreds of other like huge pearls decorating the region’s necklace. The summer makes much pleasure to holidaymakers. But quiet wistful autumn is fine as well. Gold birch groves and vermillion aspen trees change for evergreen pine woods and spruce groves. The scent of senescent grass mixes with mushroom spice. About one hundred mushroom species grow in Borovoye.

Mushrooming is very exciting and useful for good mood. There exists some mysterious, attracting power in granite sculptures created by the Mother Nature itself. Having stepped aside just a little bit and giving way to your imagination, you will see the stones «coming into life». Borovoye has no material culture monuments. But the combination of magnificent mountains, blue lakes, pine woods and larch forests created unique beautiful landscapes of nature. The waves of an ancient vast sea beat the shore of the lake a long time ago. At the end of drift epoch the sea was swept away, and the landscape assumed modern mountainous shape. The sun, the wind and rains formed cavities, caves, and holes in the rocks, making them fantastically shaped and scenic.

Karkaraly
Karkaralinsk – the oldest and ever young city of Karaganda region. Its history began with a small steppe village, which was remote in a valley of the mountain river. Caravans from Central Asia were going to Siberia through it.

A fortress was laid here in August 1824. Three years later it became the Cossack belonging. In 1869 Karkaralinsk got the status of the district city. In XIX century it was an important trade center.

The famous Koyandinsk fairs became a locomotive in development of trade economic relationships and cultures, Gradually Karakaralinsk became a large public-political centre where known politicians came, figures of the literature and art, educators, scientists and travelers. One of the the most remarkable descriptions of Karkarals was made by a prominent kazakh scientist – an ethnographer, historian and geographer Shokan Ualihanov.

Some notes about Karkaralinsk were left by the Russian gravellier Grigoriy Potanin. The House of the merchant Andrey Ryazancev, at which the famous scientist Potanin stayed more than one hundred years ago, is protected in the city as a monument of history and culture.

The Fundamental scientific works about Karkaralinsk came into being in 1865 in the second volume “Geographic-statistical dictionary of Russian empire”, published under editing of Professor Semenov Tjanshanski. People in Russia learned then for the first time about green oasis of the mountain caves and monuments of history of the primitive culture.

The history of Karkaralinsk is connected with the name of the great kazakh educator, poet-translator, composer and teacher Abay Kunanbaev. His father, senior sultan of Karkaralinsk neighborhood Kunanbay kashi perpetuated his name by erection of a Moslem mosque and by his charity. Karkaralinsk is called a Kazakhstan Switzerland. The nature here is fairy-tale beautiful.

In Karkaralinsk the air is wonderfully clear. It is so saturated with coniferous airwaves that the local inhabitants are not concerned about the safety of even the most gentile food products. Hunters and cattle breeders have left their milk and meat under coniferous giants for centuries, not fearing that their food will spoil.

The abundance of source is a typical particularity of Karkaralinsk Mountains. Water is fresh and very pure therein. The citizens of Karkaralinsk particularly remark the spring of Suukbulak, which is said to have the wonder-working medical characteristic. Water in spring is mildly carbonated by nature and beats with small power about one half liter at a second. The annual temperature of the water amounts to 6 degrees. But old-timers assure that the spring never freezes and water in it keeps all the year round the same temperature. The wood rivers of Karkaralinsk -Big and Small Karkaralinki- meet together, and their general riverbed is called Kurozek.

Mountains of Karkaralinsk are famous for their own lakes. The Devil’s lake, or Shaytankoli, in the steppe hillocky area is considered to be a mountain reservoir. Everything the lake itself and adjoining woods are beautiful, a winnows mystery of the ancient legends is exceeding from them. One of the most beautiful places of Karkaralinsk Mountains is Lake Pool. The amazing creation of the nature, it is located high in the mountains and presents a natural chalice of a wonderful correct square-wave form, reminding a pool. The Tetragonal stone bath with responding edge-coast, full of pure transparent water.

The Kentski mountains is a comparatively young mountain array. The untamable steppe wind, as a patient sculptor, sculpted only one plot it knew. The wind has added the mountain Kent whimsical forms, that you do not see anywhere.

Enigmatic Kentski Mountains are attracting archeological expeditions and lenses. But the nature does not hurry to reveal to persons their own secrets.

Flora of Karkaralinsk oasis is rich and varied. The Wood is girding the mountains of Karkaralinsk. The coniferous wood is dominating, particularly pine. Mixed and leafy wood approximately amount to10-12 percents. There is birch, aspen, osier, a kind of cherry tree. Karkaralinsk is a native land of smooth wormwood. Of this rare plant anticancer remedy called arglabin is produced at Karaganda institute of photochemistry for treatment of the cancerous diseases.

Today Karkaralinsk occupies an important place in economic and cultural life of independent Kazakhstan. More than 10 places of holidays are functioning here, including holiday home “Miner” of Karaganda coal department and a holiday place of Buketova Karaganda State University. Each year autumn rallies of tourists of Central Kazakhstan are held here.

Korgaldgynskiy State Natural Reserve
Korgaldgynskiy State Reserve is situated at a distance of 130 kilometers to the south-west from Astana city. The Reserve objective is to protect the natural complex and public awareness raising on nature conservation. The Reserve is located in Tengiz-Korgaldgynskiy valley and occupies 259.9 thousand hectares, 198 of which is water area. In broad outline the area contains Tengiz and Korgalzhyn large lakes, the remainders of an ancient sea, which once was the heart of the valley.

Together with the other smaller lakes they form a unique wetland site. Tengiz Lake is 85 kilometers long, 35 kilometers wide, one can’t make out the opposite side examining it through a high power binoculars. “Tengiz” is translated into Kazakh as “sea”, its water saltiness is 5-6 times higher than that of the World ocean. In 2000 Tengiz was registered in “Living Lakes” organization, which includes the most unique lakes of the world. During summer time thousands of swans, geese and ducks make nests on the lakeshore. In quiet winter one can see northern birds such as snowy owl, white grouse, waxwing, redpoll and bullfinch. The total number of bird species inhabiting Korgaldgynskiy Reserve is 32. All of them are registered in the Red Data Book. The animal world of the Reserve includes about 40 species. Here are big wild boars, swift saigas, badgers and ermines. The unique natural complex of Korgaldgynskiy Reserve was included into the list of naturally protected areas of the planet and incorporated into group “A” of Ramsar Convention. The final step will be registration of the territory in UNESCO.

Korgaldgynskiy Reserve sheltered a number of endangered bird species. They are registered in Red book. Number one in the list is exotic pink flamingo. Flamingo means “flame” in Latin. People’s hearts beat with joy at the sight of these big graceful birds and their habit. When moving flamingo flocks may remind you of scarlet clouds or sparkling fire-flames the colour of which vary from the light red to the deep purple.

Ulytau
Ulytau (the great mountains) – historical centre of Kazakh folk, epicentre of the nomadic culture of steppe civilization. The Greatness of these ancient mountains is in the significance of events of national history of Kazakhstan. Ulytau were the most favorite place of khans of nomadic tribes. Headquarter of Zhoshy khan was located here. He was an elder son of great Chingishan; khan Bathy began from here his conquering march to the Orient.

In Ulytau were erected mausoleums of Zhoshy Khan and Alash khan – one of the founders of Turkic tribes. There were buried here khan of the Golden Horde Tohtamysh, the great horde general, emir Edyge, whose names are perpetuated in the folklore of Altai, Ural, the Crimea, the Northern Caucasus and Uzbekistan. On the stone plate of Ulytau Mountains Altynshoky the great Tamerlan left memory about his staying here in springtime in 1391.

Area Ulytau of Karaganda region became the Mecca for foreign tourists, which are interested in history of culture and geography of the settling folk of the Orient and Eurasia.

The monuments, which keep in themselves Ulytau, belong to the Paleolithic and Neolithic epochs.

The scientist-archeologists of history faculty of Buketov Karaganda State University discovered numerous stands of primitive people, their instruments of labour. On the bank of the river Karakengir the largest workshop in Kazakhstan of the Paleolithic epoch was discovered. On the river valleys were brought to light monuments of bronze – settlements, ancient cemeteries.

The secret of “burial mounds with moustache” has not been found out yet. The one archeologist supposes that these be tomb erections, the others assume – that this should be an ancient observatory, but students came to the conclusion that this be a ritual complex. The archeological excavations give witness that the local tribes were engaged in mining metallurgical handicraft three thousand years ago and exported to Iran, India and Greece copper, tin, silver and gold.

Ulytau is called “country of mountains, lakes and springs”. People new about healing properties of spring water far away beyond this area. Russian and European ambassadors went to the general headquarter of Tartar –Mongols Karakorum. They certainly stopped to be treated by spring water of Ulytau.

Zerenda
Zerenda is a charming world of forests, lakes, picturesque ravines, rocks, canyons and springs. The world that attracts tourists from different parts of the planet, the people who like to enjoy quiet woods, sweet fragrance of grass and to admire chamomile and bluebell meadows and shady birch woods. The air in pine woods is ozone-rich, clear and saturated with fragrance of them. The land is mapped out with tourist’s routes: forest paths, auto roads, horse ways and bike ways. Excellent ski-tracks are laid here. Forests, full of game, lakes, replete with fish, succulent pastures attracted man here from time immemorial.In summer the sunshine is streaming deep into forests. There you can hear the laughter and voices of people who came to enjoy the bounty of nature: mushrooms, cherry, stone bramble, dogrose, strawberry. In the lakes there are plenty of pikes, carps, crucian carps, perches and roaches.

Tekeli
Total region: 0,1 thousand in sq. km. Population: 24,3 thousand people Distance from Almaty: 292 km Distance from Taldykorgan: Gorod Tekeli 46 km, the area of 0,1 thousand in sq.km., is in 46 km. On the southeast from the regional center of Taldykorgana and in 285 km. On the northeast from Almaty, it is connected with the given cities iron and automobile roads.

The city is located in foothills of the Western slope of northern file of the Dzungarian Ala Tau which has been cut ущелеобразными by valleys of the rivers Tekeli, Chazha, the Bark, Karatal and will stretch in the form of a twisting tape on 32 km. The rivers Chazha and the Bark are river Karatal inflows, the river Tekeli – the left inflow of the river Chazha.

The climate of region of the city of Tekeli concerns continental type of midlatitudes. On agroclimatic division into districts the area concerns to damp moderately-frying to a zone. Among sights of a city it is possible to see an Obelisk devoted to a victory in the Great Patriotic War; Avenue of memory to the heroes who were lost in days of the Great Patriotic War; the Memorial board on a city central square; the Fountain of a name of the 10 anniversary of Independence of Republic Kazakhstan; the Fountain of a name of the 50 anniversary of the city of Tekeli, sports Palace, stadium and open swimming pool.

Alakol
It is a salty closed lake in Kazakhstan, which is located on the border of Almaty and East Kazakhstan regions. On the western coast of the Alakol, about 80 km from the Kazakh-Chinese border, there is the resort village of Koktum, and on the east coast – the village of Kabanbay (formerly Zharbulak) where the tourist infrastructure is rapidly developing. Not far from the village of Kabanbay, about 15 km to the east, there is one of the oldest sanatoriums in Kazakhstan, the balneological resort Barlyk-Arasan.

Lake Alakol is unique in its kind, as it is the only lake in the world with a black beach, due to the content of a large amount of silicon. Clean steppe air, mineral waters and mineralized hydrogen sulphide mud are especially beneficial for rest and treatment in these places. The water of Lake Alakol is very transparent, clean, in composition it is comparable to the waters of the Black and Dead Sea and includes almost the entire periodic table, which contributes to the treatment of skin diseases, respiratory diseases, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and the nervous system.

For more than 10 years, tourism has been developing on Lake Alakol, now it is a civilized and affordable vacation, both for residents of Kazakhstan and for visitors. Pensions and recreation centers on the shore of the lake meet tourists of different ages every day. Fishing and hunting in the vicinity of the lake is also interesting and varied. There are several quite comfortable holiday homes on the coast, allowing you to organize a relaxing holiday on the coast.

Turkestan
The city of Turkestan is located in the South Kazakhstan region and is one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan: it was founded more than 1500 years ago.

Turkestan (Yassy) was the political and spiritual center of the Turkic-speaking peoples and was the capital of the Kazakh Khanate for many centuries. One of the main attractions of the city is the mausoleum of Khoja Akhmet Yassaui, built at the end of the 14th – early 15th centuries.

At the moment, the city is a center of pilgrimage for Muslims of Kazakhstan, Central Asia and other countries. According to the pilgrims themselves, three trips to the Yassaui mausoleum in Turkestan are equal to a small hajj to Mecca.

Also, many tourists come to the city interested in ancient cities and culture. The most interesting archaeological sites of these places belong to the era of prosperity of the medieval city of Otrar. After many years of archaeological excavations, these archaeological sites were included in the historical and cultural reserve – Otrar oasis.

Also located here is a wonderful historical museum, clearly demonstrating the capture of the city by the Mongols, as well as a monument of the XII-XX centuries. – Arystan-bab, dedicated to the teacher and mentor of Khoja Akhmet Yassaui.

Saryagash
The city of Saryagash is the center of the Saryagash region of the South Kazakhstan region. Saryagash district was formed in 1939. It has a 133 km border with the Republic of Uzbekistan, and is located 15 km from the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent.

Saryagash is rich in healing mineral water produced by 33 registered enterprises. But the main feature of this region is the numerous sanatoriums located at the sources of underground mineral waters.

Also in the area, tourists can find many interesting sights. For example, one of the ancient cities located along the Great Silk Road, on the territory of the Zhuzimdik rural district; the historical monument Kultobe, which is located on the banks of the mouth of the Sula Keles River, may interest tourists. Moreover, at the moment, according to the state program, it is planned to restore the holy places of Saryagash Yerdaut and Shaimerden in the Darbazin rural district.

Katon Karagay
In East Kazakhstan, the Katon-Karagai National Park is located, which attracts attention with a variety of natural and historical sites: including the Berelsky earthen burial ground, the Kok-kol waterfall, Rakhmanovskie keys (hot springs), Kok-Kola deposits and the Northern (Golden) branch of the Great Silk Road crossing the picturesque Ukok plateau.