Top places to visit in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is one of the largest and most developed countries in central Asia and the ninth-largest country in the world, Kazakhstan covers a vast swathe of territory in Central Asia. Land of Kazakhstan is all about featureless steppe, dramatic mountains, canyons, lakes, and valleys. Kazakhstan can offer outdoor adventures and modern new build cities sightseeing tours as well. Here you can find the best 10 tourist destinations in Kazakhstan that may help you to make a decision which part is best for you to visit.
Tamgaly petroglyphs
Depicting epic hunting scenes, majestic standalone figures, and a wide variety of different animals and wildlife, the Tamgaly Petroglyphs are fascinating. There are remarkably more than 5,000 of them for you to check out.
With many of them dating all the way back to the Bronze Age, the site really is a special place to visit. Clambering around the scenic canyon’s many boulders and rock formations only to find yet another well-preserved and intricately carved petroglyph is an amazing feeling.
Long a ritual site for nomads, the canyon’s peaceful confines certainly convey the spiritual importance of the location, and coupled with the impressive petroglyphs themselves, the beautiful setting makes it well worth a day trip from Almaty
Aral Sea
The shallow Aral Sea was once the world’s fourth largest body of inland water. The remnants of it nestle in the climatically inhospitable heart of Central Asia, to the east of the Caspian Sea. The Aral Sea and its demise are of great interest and increasing concern to scientists because of the remarkable shrinkage of its area and volume that began in the second half of the 20th century—when the region was part of the Soviet Union—and continued into the 21st.
Due to all this, the town of Aral is a fascinating place to visit. The former fishing port, which was renowned around the Soviet Union for its large catches, now lies next to endless desert, as the sea’s waters have long since retreated over the horizon.
Charyn canyon
Breathtakingly beautiful, Charyn Canyon in the southeast of Kazakhstan certainly warrants a visit. When approaching from across the endless, featureless steppe, it is hard to imagine the incredible sight that awaits you. Snaking its way through the rock, the canyon stretches around 90 kilometers in length, with some parts reaching a depth of up to 300 meters.
This picturesque indigenous locality impresses with its heavenly landscapes The Canyon depth is 200m. The height of the bluff mountains of the Canyon reaches 150-300m. The Canyon itself represents a monument of nature formed with sedimentary rocks aged more then 12 million years. The landscapes are virtually miraculous there. Charyn Canyon is getting scarlet, pink and orange colors at sunset when the sun is disappearing behind the horizon.
Turkestan
Turkestan is an ancient city located in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan. It has a long and fascinating history, having served as a key trading hub along the Silk Road for centuries.
With its modern infrastructure, Turkestan is now a popular tourist destination among travelers looking to explore the remains of this once-thriving city.
Visitors to Turkestan will find a unique mixture of ancient architecture, modern amenities, and friendly locals.
Baikonur Cosmodrome
Administered by Russian Federation, Baikonur is the world’s oldest and largest space launch facility. Baikonur Cosmodrome was one a secret missile testing site that happened to be a strategically important place for Russians.
The desolate desert steppe of Kazakhstan was once the launchpad for Vostok 1 spacecraft in which Yuri Gagarin first set for the moon. If you a history and space technology buff this place has plenty of attractions that would excite you. Visitors can take a tour around the facility as well as the accompanying museum that has lots of captivating exhibitions, models, and memorabilia for you to enjoy.
Karkaraly National Park
Karkaraly state national nature park is a national park in Kazakhstan, located in Karaganda region. It is one of the protected areas of Kazakhstan because of the exceptional diversity of central Kazakhstan landscapes presented. Tucked away among its many amazing landscapes are glistening lakes, gaping caves, and distinctive rock formations, with breathtaking views wherever you go. Due to its wide range of incredible natural sights, Karkaraly National Park is a delight to explore, with hiking, bouldering, and camping all popular outdoor activities.
Kolsai lake
Get to know this 9.5-km out-and-back trail near Saty, Almaty. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 30 min to complete. This trail is great for camping and hiking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring.
Easily the highlight of the Kolsai Lakes National Park in southeastern Kazakhstan, the trek between Kolsai I and II can be done as one long day hike or as an overnight trek camping near the shores of Kolsai II.
Astana city
Astana is a planned city, such as Canberra in Australia, Washington, D.C. in the United States and Brasilia in Brazil. The master plan of Astana was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. As the seat of the Government of Kazakhstan, Astana is the site of the Parliament House, the Supreme Court, the Ak Orda Presidential Palace and numerous government departments and agencies. It is home to many futuristic buildings, hotels and skyscrapers. Astana city is real modern nomadic new city that offer many places to visit as sightseeing.
Aksu-Zhabagly
Aksu-Zhabagly is Kazakhstan’s oldest national park. Located near Kazakhstan’s southern capital Shymkent, Aksu-Zhabagly is famous for its show of wild tulips in spring. It’s also a hot spot for birdwatchers and a few days in the reserve will definitely get you a sighting of a bear, a marmot or a wild mountain sheep.
Backpackers who don’t plan to camp and hike on trails outside of the national park will find Aksu-Zhabagly expensive. They are better off visiting the nearby Sayram-Ugam national park, which has similar natural attractions but lower prices. On the Uzbek side of the mountains, there is the Chatkal reserve.
Almaty city
Almaty is the largest city of Kazakhstan and served as the capital city until 1997. The city still has a huge influence on the country’s cultural and economic affairs. Almaty is located in the southeastern part of Kazakhstan and 40 kilometers north of Kyrgyzstan. Almaty means “the city of apples” and because of its relatively mild climate, the city has a wide range of apple trees. Almaty features with beautiful weather whole year as even in winter here is warm enough to enjoy the weather.