The Aral Sea is a formerly undrained salt lake in Central Asia, located on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Since the 1960s, the level of the sea began to decline rapidly because of the diversion of water for irrigation purposes from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.

Several port cities, such as Aralsk, suddenly found themselves far from the sea, many ships were abandoned. Photos by: Denis Frantsouzov.

once it was the sea

Tags: Abandoned · Kzyl-Orda oblast

This unusual landscape known as steppe or red mountains can be found near Toraigyr Ridge in Enbekshikazakh district of Almaty region. Toraigyr Ridge on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

beautiful spring landscape

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Let’s enjoy beautiful night landscapes of the East Kazakhstan region.

The following photos were taken in such wonderful places as Bukhtarma reservoir (the largest water reservoir in Kazakhstan), Lake Zaisan, Cape Shekelmes, Kiin-Kirish Canyon. Photos by: Anna Anikina.

magnificent views

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast

Another great set of photos taken in Altyn Emel National Park located in Almaty region. This time we can enjoy the beautiful views of multicolored Aktau Mountains. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

amazing mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Singing Dune is a sand mountain about 3 km long and 150 m height located in the national park Altyn Emel in Almaty region, 182 km north-east of Almaty.

It is a phenomenon of nature that has become a popular tourist attraction – in dry weather sand emits a sound similar to the organ melody.

the place with singing sands

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Ushkonyr is a picturesque plateau located in the western part of the mountain system of Trans-Ili Alatau, between the gorges Chemolgan and Uzun-Kargaly (Almaty region).

This area of Trans-Ili Alatau differs from other parts of the mountain system because of the absence of the forest zone, but subalpine and alpine zones are presented in all their glory, with an abundance of all kinds of mountain flowers. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

tranquil landscapes

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Maloulbinskoe reservoir, located about 20 km to the south-east of Ridder city (East Kazakhstan region), was built by prisoners of war and convicts in 1938.

Today, this place is a historical landmark in the field of engineering and technology. To some extent, the reservoir is an open-air museum. Maloulbinskoe reservoir on Google Maps. Photo by: Alexey Maznicin.

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · Ridder city

Lake Dubygalinskoe (also known as Lake Okun’ki) is located in Ulansky district of East Kazakhstan region. It is situated at the foot of the northern slopes of Mount Dubygaly.

Besides the fact that this lake is a great place for fishing, it attracts travelers for its giant boulders picturesquely scattered along the shores. Lake Okun’ki on Google Maps. The photos were taken by Alexey Maznicin.

really huge rocks

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · landscapes

Saryesik-Atyrau is a sandy desert located in Almaty region, to the south of Lake Balkhash, between the Ili and Karatal rivers.

The climate in the desert is sharply continental. Summer temperature can reach plus 40 degrees Celsius, in winter, the temperature can drop to minus 40.

snow-covered wilderness

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

What could be better than a night in the mountains! Especially when the sky is pierced by falling meteors (the meteor shower of Ursids in this case). This beautiful photo was taken in the mountains of Almaty region by Vitaliy Rage.

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes