Altyn Yemel is the largest national park of Kazakhstan located in Almaty oblast, about 150 km from Almaty city. There is a unique object of history and archaeology on its territory – Besshatyr burial mounds. The necropolis has the tombs of Eastern Scythians or Saky-Tigrakhauda people lived on that territory in 7th-6th centuries BC. There are 30 mounds located in the area. The largest one is the King’s mound with the height of 17 meters and a diameter of 104 meters. And here is the video of the area.

Tags: Almaty oblast · Altyn Yemel · Besshatyr · burial mounds · national park

On the route Almaty – Medeu there is a sign “Butakovka”. Before the last stop of the bus #29 turn left, after passing through a small village in about 10 miles the road will bring you to the amazingly picturesque place – Butakovka valley (photos by tengry.net).

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Tags: Almaty oblast · Butakovka · valley

Falcons are one of the main symbols of Kazakhstan (there is one on the flag of the country). And you can see why just looking at the following very nice photos captured in Almaty oblast of Kazakhstan by Valery Ayapov.

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Tags: Almaty oblast · falcons

The following Martian looking landscapes are Boguty mountains located to the east of Almaty city (Almaty oblast) of Kazakhstan. The photos were captured by A.Zhdanko (all the pictures are clickable).

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Tags: Almaty oblast · Boguty · mountains

Issyk lake is located about 70 km to the east of Almaty city, about 1750 meters above the sea level. The lake is one the main attractions of Almaty region. The following pictures of Issyk lake were captured by Valery Ayapov.

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Tags: Almaty oblast · Issyk lake