Charyn Canyon (Kazakh spelling “Sharyn”), located 195 km east of Almaty, near the border with China, stretches for 154 km along the Charyn River.

The canyon is a natural monument consisting of sedimentary rocks formed about 12 million years ago. The slopes height is about 150-300 meters. Charyn Canyon location on Google Maps. Photo by Eduard Kim

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Kaindy is a mountain lake located in one of the gorges of Kungei Alatau to the east of Almaty. It is a popular tourist destination.

In 1910, landslides blocked the gorge and soon it was filled with mountain river water. Coniferous forest that grew here was flooded and since then this place is called “sunken forest.”

very scenic lake

Tags: Almaty oblast

Issyk is a lake located at an altitude of 1756 meters in Issyk gorge of Trans-Ili Alatau, about 70 km east of Almaty. The lake was formed about 8-10 thousand years ago in a landslide.

Originally, Issyk length was 1850 meters, width – 500 meters, depth – 50-79 meters. In 1959, the park with hotel and restaurant was opened here. Lake Issyk on Google Maps. Photos by Denis Frantsouzov

picturesque mountain lake

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Beautiful photos of Southern Kazakhstan (Almaty region) taken by Denis Frantsouzov

picturesque nature views

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

A lot of people think that Kazakhstan is one huge flat steppe, but there are places in the country that are true natural wonders, for example, the tract of Boszhira, a mountain range located on the Ustyurt plateau in south-western Kazakhstan.

So far, this place is little known and inaccessible to tourists. Everything is white here – canyons, peaks, mountains. Distance from Zhanaozen to Boszhira – 148 km, from Aktau to Boszhira – 298 km. Boszhira location on Google Maps. Photos by Ilia Afanasieff

great nature views

Tags: landscapes · Mangystau oblast

Charyn Canyon is a beautiful natural monument located in Almaty region, to the east of Almaty. It is often compared to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. Surprisingly, from all the sides the canyon is surrounded by the usual steppe.

The most interesting place to visit is the Castle Valley (about 2 km length, width – 20-80 meters). Bizarre shapes of the rocks resembling castles attract tourists from all over the world. Photos by Denis Frantsouzov

amazing scenery

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

The Big Almaty Lake is located in one of the gorges originating from the southern outskirts of Almaty. On the way to the lake, you will drive a winding road passing mudflow areas and two “ecological” posts. To pass them, you need to pay a small amount of money.

At an altitude of 2500 meters, you will find the lake itself. Actually, it doesn’t look big. The lake is not filled with water because of the possible dam failure and mudflow that may hit the city. The Big Almaty Lake location on Google Maps. Photos by Vladimir Varfolomeev

beautiful mountain landscapes

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Kazakhstan has an amazing and unique pristine nature area – the land of blue mountains and lakes known as Borovoe (Burabai) nature resort located in Akmola region.

After two hundred kilometers trip across boundless steppes, suddenly you can see majestic mountains, forests and rock piles. These beautiful places are a favorite destination for tourists. Photos by Dmitry Chistoprudov

unusual nature views

Tags: Akmola oblast · landscapes

In October 2013, the Kazakh Geographic Society organized a historical and archaeological, ethnographic expedition to Kyzylorda region located in the southern part of the country. During the six-day expedition, the participants drove about 3.5 thousand kilometers.

The region has a vast historical and cultural heritage, beautiful nature. Here are some photos taken during the expedition by Damir Otegen and Vasily Mihailin, voxpopuli.kz.

picturesque landscapes

Tags: Kzyl-Orda oblast · landscapes

Yazovoe Lake is located in the East Kazakhstan region, near the border with Russia.

The area around the lake is extremely picturesque: waterfalls, mists, distant mountains and primeval forests. Yazovoe Lake location on Google Maps. Photos by Ilia Afanasieff

beautiful views

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · landscapes