The Ustyurt Plateau is a desert and a plateau located in the west of Central Asia on the territory of Kazakhstan (Mangystau region), Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, between Mangyshlak and the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol in the west, the Aral Sea and the Amu Darya River delta in the east.

What a stunningly beautiful place! Photo by Ne Horoshiy

Tags: landscapes · Mangystau oblast

Tekes is a relatively small village (population – about 4,000 people) located in Raiymbek district of Almaty region of Kazakhstan.

The village is standing at an altitude of 1766 meters above sea level, close to the border with China. What a stunningly beautiful place! Photos by Sergey Terekhov

beautiful nature views

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Kazakhstan is known as the land of steppes and this beautiful picture taken in East Kazakhstan region of the country can be a nice illustration of this fact. Photo by Arina Ratushnova-Osintseva

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · landscapes

The highest point of Kazakhstan is Khan Tengri – the peak of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is located right on the border between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China.

The height of the peak is 7010 meters (with the glacier). Its name in Turkic means “The Lord of the Sky.” Due to its pyramid shape it is one of the most beautiful peaks in the world. Khan Tengri on Google Maps. Photo by Vitaliy Rage

very majestic views

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Bektau-Ata is an unusual natural monument located about 70 kilometers north of the town of Balkhash in Karaganda region. This is a meeting place of two different landscapes – granite mountain is surrounded by a flat steppe.

The mountain rises above the steppe more than a thousand meters. Pink granite rocks of Bektau-Ata consist of granite lava solidified on the surface and in the cracks of the earth.

very unique and interesting area

Tags: Karaganda oblast · landscapes

Zaysan is a relatively large lake (length – 105 km, width – 22-48 km) located in eastern Kazakhstan (East Kazakhstan oblast), about 60 km from the border with China.

Shekelmes Bay has almost perfect semicircular shape. There is a belief that the bizarre metamorphosis of sand that you can see in this place is a result of the fall of a meteorite on the shore of the lake. Lake Zaysan on Google Maps. Photos by Ilia Afanasieff

magnificent place

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · landscapes

The upper delta of the Ili River in Almaty region is a very interesing area. It is an amazing place where the dunes can be seen side by side with the water meadows. Photos by Gregory Bedenko

beautiful pictures of the Ili River

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Beautiful view of the mountains surrounding the former capital of Kazakhstan – Almaty. Photo by Vitaliy Rage

Tags: Almaty city · landscapes

Aktau chalk mountains are located on the territory of Almaty region in “Altyn-Emel” reserve. This place is known for its unique landscapes reminiscent of pictures from Mars.

White and red colors dominate here. Aktau Mountains were formed millions of years ago. The area of the ridge is about 15×8 kilometers. Photos by Ilia Afanasieff

like real Martian landscapes

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

This very vivid picture of the Soviet past of Kazakhstan made by photographer and journalist Semyon Fridlyand looks like a frame from a historical movie.

It is Temirtau city located in Karaganda region early in the second half of the 20th century.

Tags: Karaganda oblast