The territory in the south-eastern part of Kazakhstan from ancient times is called Zhetisu, which means in Kazakh “seven rivers”. The reason for that is the large number of rivers flowing down the slopes of the Tien Shan and Dzhungar Alatau Mountains.

A lot of historical sites along with beautiful nature make this region a paradise for tourists. In this land first state formation of Kazakhs (Kazakh Khanate) originated.

fly over the southeastern Kazakhstan

Tags: landscapes

Mangystau region is the province in the south-western Kazakhstan, located to the east of the Caspian Sea on the plateau Mangyshla (Mangystau). It is an industrial region – 25% of Kazakhstan oil is extracted in the area (about 20 million tons).

The region is a country of ancient civilization, archaeological reserve in the open air. The peninsula is famous for interesting landscape diversity. Photos by Constantine Kikvidze

enjoy the beautiful scenery

Tags: landscapes · Mangystau oblast

Zaysan is a lake located in the East Kazakhstan region of the country, in the open high and flat valley between mountain ranges. The Chinese border is just 60 km from the eastern shore of the lake.

The lake is located at an altitude of 420 m, the length of the lake is 105 km, the width – 22-48 km, maximum depth – 15 m. Zaysan Lake on Google Maps. Photos by Ilia Afanasieff

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Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast

Big Almaty Lake is a beautiful turquoise lake located about 15 km south of Almaty, at the height of 2510 meters. The lake is not only pleasing the eyes of tourists and residents of Almaty, but also gives the city clean water from the glaciers of the Tien Shan.

The lake appeared as a result of an earthquake. Big Almaty Lake has unusual for most lakes color that varies from light green to turquoise. The depth is about 40 meters, the length – 1.5 km, the width – 1 km. It is the part of the Ile-Alatau National Park. Big Almaty Lake location on Google Maps. Photos by Andrey Gavrikov

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Tags: Almaty oblast

Natural Reserve Kyzyl-Kent is located in the east of Kent Mountains, 250 km south-east of Karaganda.

Mountainous oasis Kent is of great interest due to the fact that these areas are not developed and do not attract a lot of tourists because of the lack of large bodies of water. The following nice photos of this place were captured in September 2012 by Ilia Afanasieff

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Tags: Karaganda oblast

Mountainous region called Dzungaria is located in the south-east of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Almaty province). Korinskoye gorge is called one of the most beautiful places in this area.

The valley is known for its stunning views and beautiful waterfall called Burhan-Bulak (three cascades with total height of 112 meters) – one of the places of eco-tourism in Kazakhstan.

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Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Charуn Canyon stretches for 154 km along the river Charуn in Kazakhstan. It is located 195 km to the east from Almaty, near the border with China. Canyon is the part of Charyn National Park founded in 2004.

The canyon is a monument of nature consisting of sedimentary rocks formed about 12 million years ago. The height of the canyon walls is up to 150-300 meters. The place is also known for the variety of flora and fauna. More than 1500 species of plants grow here. Charyn Canyon on Google Maps. Photos by el-magico

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Tags: Almaty oblast · Charyn canyon

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. Karkaraly nature park on Google Maps. Photos by Constantine Kikvidze

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Tags: Karaganda oblast

Markakolsky State Nature Reserve is a nature reserve located in the East Kazakhstan region, near Lake Markakol. The reserve was established August 4, 1976; the total area is about 103 thousand hectares.

The reserve protects natural complexes of grasslands, steppes, larch taiga, mountain coniferous forests, subalpine and alpine meadows and rocky tundra on the mountain slopes of the southern Altai region around Lake Markakol (Lake Markakol on Google Maps). Photos by Ilia Afanasieff

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Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast

Kazakhstan is a vast country with a wide variety of landscapes, natural, historical, and cultural monuments. Unfortunately a great tourist potential of the country is still not fully used.

Foreign tourists are reluctant to going to Kazakhstan; even local people often prefer to travel to other countries and don’t visit Kazakhstan sights. This is largely due to poor infrastructure, complicated visa procedures, lack of information about unique reserved places, monuments of history and culture.

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Tags: Kazakhstan tourism · landscapes