South of the Ural Mountains, in the heart of Eurasia, Kazakhstan is located. Here, antiquity intertwined with modernity, the traditions of the East and the modernity of the West. Since independence, the country has been developing by leaps and bounds, and the former capital, Astana, is a vivid example of this. But you can discover the untouched nature of deserts and almost alpine mountains only by visiting remote regions.
A brief overview of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan
Few people will be surprised by a romantic trip to France, shopping in Italy or attending a fashionable party in Ibiza. But who can brag of a trip to Kazakhstan and tell about rest in the Central Asian resort? Agree, the pursuit of trends sometimes overshadows what is almost nearby. And there are enough beautiful places in Kazakhstan, and on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the country, the national television channel launched the section "Photo Report", which listed the most interesting locations of the state:
- Almaty is the capital, located in the valley of two rivers, at the foot of the Zailiysky Alatau.
- Khan Tegri Peak - known for its unusual peak shape in the form of an ideal pointed pyramid.
- Kolsai and Kulsei - three lakes filled with clean ice water, located at an altitude of 2000 m, are one of the most beautiful natural places in Kazakhstan.
- Aktau is one of the largest cities in the world where human life is almost impossible.
- Lake Balkhash is a unique place known for the fact that the eastern half is filled with salt water, and the western half is fresh.
- Kaindy is a lake in the Kengei-Alatau gorge, formed as a result of an earthquake.
- Khoja Ahmet Yassaui - the mausoleum, built in the 14th century, is a complex of temples, palaces, baths and hilvet.
- Charyn Canyon is not only a beautiful place in Kazakhstan (in the Kazakh "Sharyn"), but also the oldest. The rocks of which it is composed are more than 12 million years old.
- Katon Kargay is a unique location where the national park and reserve are located.
- Baikonur - the cosmodrome of the same name was built here, and all the attractions in this territory are connected with the theme of space.
- Becket-ata is a sacred place for every Kazakhstani. Up to a thousand pilgrims visit the mosque daily.
- Borovoe is a famous resort famous for its clean air, dozens of health resorts and incredible beauty of nature.
- Merke is a sanctuary located at an altitude of 3000 m above sea level.
- Atameken is an open-air museum where you can see all the sights of the country at a time.
- Baiterek is a relatively young architectural monument (12 years old). At an altitude of 97 meters there is an imprint of the hand of the country's president.
- Zharkent - a mosque built without the use of nails and iron brackets. The main building material was the Tien Shan spruce.
- Dead Lake is the most mysterious, but very beautiful place in Kazakhstan (in English Dead Lake), where, unfortunately, people drown almost every year. If local residents bypass it, then the first thing tourists go to is here.
- "Navel of the Earth" - people from different parts of the world come to an extraordinary place to receive a charge of energy from space and the Earth.
- Ustyurt Plateau is a desert region located between the Aral Sea and the northern part of the Caspian. According to statistics, in this place the most common UFO.
- Singing Mountain - a huge sandy hill that grew on the river bank of Ili.
- Turanga Grove is a natural park located in the Almaty region.
- Markakol is a lake with clear water, the picturesque shores of which are indented by bays.
- Bektau-ata is a beautiful attraction in the north of the city of Balkhash, where a considerable number of interesting places in the country are concentrated on 4, 000 hectares.
Tourists Choice
The main attraction of Kazakhstan is the boundless steppe, along which at one time there passed several waves of migrations of people from east to west. The earth is rich in picturesque corners where artifacts of the history of mankind are stored: stone statues, mounds and buried settlements.
Among travelers, a trip to the Charyn Canyon is popular, which we will talk about a little later. No less interesting on the Saki mounds, in the Borovoye nature reserve and in the Karabulak gorge.
There are many architectural monuments in Kazakhstan. A favorite place for historians and tourists is Otrar, whose ruins have preserved traces of the conquest of Genghis Khan.
Overview of Kazakhstan Attractions: Mausoleums
Aisha-Bibi is the only monument in the whole territory of Central Asia, the facade of which is fully decorated with carved terracotta. The attraction is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the most valuable creations of mankind.
The mausoleum of Babaja-Khatun, erected in the south of Kazakhstan, became famous for its unusual dome in the form of an umbrella with 16 faces. However, the admiration of tourists is caused by the walls of the building, decorated with unique masonry with various patterns.
The mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi is a huge rectangular memorial complex telling about the past of the Kazakh people. The ancient city of Yassi was located on the territory of the Great Silk Road between the steppe and the Central Asian oasis. It was a very busy place: China exported china, Persia - gold and silver products, Byzantium - fabrics. According to legend, a follower of the Prophet Muhammad, Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, lived in the city, whose sermons urged people to despise greed and be honest. Reaching 63 years old, he voluntarily became a recluse and spent the rest of his life in the dungeon of the mosque, reading prayers and sermons. He died in 1166, and 233 years later, by order of Tamerlane, the existing mausoleum was installed.
The largest and first spaceport in the world
Satisfying the thirst for travel on earth, mankind rushed to Heaven. The impetus for the flight into space was the Cold War between America and the USSR. Thus began the history of Baikonur, the construction of which was outlined in January 1955.
The cosmodrome is located in the south-west of Kazakhstan, in the heart of the steppe, and the nearest settlement is the city of Kyzylorda (240 km). There are three ways to get to Baikonur:
- by plane - flight Moscow - Baikonur;
- to get from Astana to Kyzylorda, and the remaining way to overcome by car;
- by train from Shymkent / Almaty.
In fact, Baikonur is hardly a beautiful place in Kazakhstan. Judge for yourself: around the steppe plain, sparse vegetation, birds of prey, rodents and camels. But to learn the history of rocket science, it’s still worth a visit to the cosmodrome.
Otrar
The oldest city whose ruins are located near the village of Talapty. Travelers of the Middle Ages described Otrar as a huge shopping center on one of the main branches of the Great Silk Road with numerous mosques, palaces and other architecture.
The name of the eastern commander, Amir Temur, is associated with the city. Here, on his orders, the mausoleum of Arystan-Baba, the Bardibek Palace (the remains have not yet been found) were built in which Tamerlan lived on the eve of his trip to China.
The city existed for almost 2000 years, but due to drought in the 19th century, people left it, and eventually it collapsed. Otrar is not just the oldest city, here even the air is saturated with history. Archaeological excavations are still ongoing, and who knows, maybe they will help solve all the secrets hidden by the sands.
Charyn
American travelers call the Charyn Canyon the "younger brother" of Grand Canyon. He is “younger” only because of the size, but this more than compensates for the stunning view of one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan.
The nature of the canyon, located on the spurs of the Tien Shan, having touched the thinnest strings of the soul, will force you to come back here again and again. Travelers claim: not a single description, not a single photo, even the highest quality, can convey all its beauty. And if there are breathtaking places on Earth where the architectural talent of nature merges with its greatness, then Charyn Canyon can rightly be called one of them.
Tamgaly Tas
A very picturesque and beautiful place of Kazakhstan, which means "Stones with signs". It is here that tourists can find images of Burkhanov and Buddha, accompanied by Tibetan inscriptions. Figures are dated 14-16 centuries. In total, there are 18 rocks with signs in Tamgaly Tas, including 3 with the image of Buddha. In general, the place is an open-air sanctuary.
According to legend, when a caravan was walking along the tract, a strong earthquake occurred. According to eyewitnesses, cobblestones from steep cliffs, sliding into the water, formed a crossing across the river. People took it as a sign of the blessing of the gods.
Borovoe
Burabay is a beautiful place in Kazakhstan, known far beyond the borders of the country as “Kazakh Switzerland”. In the middle of the yellow endless steppe, a green wall suddenly appears from the forest, beyond which the area opens, where huge centuries-old trees are adjacent to stone mountain ranges, and the bends of the rocks guard the peace of lakes full of fish.
Borovoe (Burabay) is not rich in architectural monuments, but the amazing flora makes no less impression than palaces and castles.
Altyn-Emel
A beautiful place in Kazakhstan for relaxation can rightly be called the Golden Saddle. The Altyn-Emel National Park is famous for its unique natural phenomenon - the Singing Mountain, which consists of two dunes 100 and 150 m high. The last southern one is especially impressive for tourists, in the form of a mountain of clean sand with steep slopes and without a single blade of grass.
The most picturesque place of the reserve is the chalk mountains of Aktau, which are the bottom of the ancient sea, which once filled the Ili basin. After the disappearance of the waters, nature created canyons and gorges here. Sheer walls are composed of different layers of rocks: the upper part is in dipazan from bright yellow to white, and the lower one is green and red.
Aksu-Zhabaglinsky reserve
Another beautiful place of Kazakhstan with an area of 740 m 2. The country's first reserve was founded in 1926, and its main attraction is the canyon of the Aksu River, the depth of which reaches 600 m.
Special attention should be paid to the flora of the area, consisting of 1200 species of plants. In addition, the Aksu-Zhabaglinsky Reserve is the habitat of the snow leopard and ibex. Many residents of the park are listed in the Red Book, so hunting is prohibited here, and for some animals it is strictly limited.
