Sor Tuzbair is a solonchak (salt marsh) located in the Mangystau region in the south-west of Kazakhstan. Almost the entire territory of this region is covered with saline and deserts, water sources are absent.

This is a picturesque area combining three colors: white – salt, limestone, clouds; blue – the sky; yellow-brown – the color of the soil, which emphasizes the whiteness of salt. Sor Tuzbair is a natural combination of deserts, hills and cliffs. People come here to explore the salt marsh and conquer rocky peaks. Sor Tuzbair on Google Maps. Photos by: Natalya Kozlovskaya.

amazing kingdom of white

Tags: Mangystau oblast

The Dzungarian Alatau is a mountain range located on the border of the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, between the Ili River and Lake Alakol.

The mountains are named for the nearby desert. The length of this picturesque range is about 450 km, the width varies from 50 to 90 km, the height – up to 4,622 m (Semenov-Tian-Shansky Peak). The Dzungarian Alatau on Google Maps. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

very picturesque mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast

The Dzungarian Alatau is a mountain range located in the northeast of the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, between the Ili River and Lake Alakol. The range extends from the west-southwest to east-northeast along the state border of Kazakhstan and China.

The length of the range is about 450 km, the width – 50-90 km. The main peaks of the Dzungarian Alatau rise above 4,000 m. The Dzungarian Alatau on Google Maps. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

beautiful mountain scenery

Tags: Almaty oblast

The Singing Barkhan is a large sand dune located in the territory of the Altyn Emel National Park in the Almaty region, 182 km northeast of Almaty. The length of it is up to 3 km, the height – about 150 m.

This natural monument is famous for the fact that in dry weather its sands emit sounds similar to an organ melody. The Singing Barkhan looks especially picturesque on a windy day. The Singing Barkhan on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

amazing sandy landscape

Tags: Almaty oblast

Kiin Kirish, an amazingly picturesque clay canyon, is a unique natural monument located 120 km southeast of the town of Kurshim in the East Kazakhstan region and covers an area of 300 hectares.

This place is also known as “The Town of Spirits”. Multicolored clays, eroded by water and wind, form vivid, bizarre landscapes here. The optimal time for a trip is 3-4 days. Kiin Kirish on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Silantjev.

beautiful monument of nature

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · Ust-Kamenogorsk city

Gorelnik Gorge is one of the most picturesque and easily accessible places located in the mountains near Almaty. It is very suitable for one-day mountain hikes.

To get there you should go to the Medeu ice rink, then climb to the dam, and go about 1.5 km further along the road towards Shymbulak, turn right, and behind the hunter’s house there is an entrance into the gorge. Gorelnik Gorge on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilya Gornostayev.

great place for hiking

Tags: Almaty oblast

Kaindy is a 400 meters long lake located among coniferous forests at an altitude of 1,667 meters above sea level in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, 284 km east of Almaty, a popular tourist destination.

Despite the low water temperature, Kaindy is very popular with diving enthusiasts. The main attraction of the lake is the remains of the spruce forest rising straight out of the water. Lake Kaindy on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergio.

very picturesque lake

Tags: Almaty oblast

In the northern Tien Shan, a cascade of three lakes, under the general name of the Kolsay lakes, is situated. Mountain ridges border a wonderful picture. Three high-altitude lakes are called the pearl of Kazakhstan.

They were formed as a result of the landslide descent to the bottom of the gorge when a fast-moving mountain river stopped its running at the dams that suddenly appeared on its way. This is an amazing place. So, if you find the one among Asian girls, then you can visit Kolsay lakes with her or even make a proposal there.

The first (Lower) Kolsay Lake

This lake is located not very far from the former capital of Kazakhstan. Stretching for 1.5 km in length, it is clamped in a narrow gorge. The lake is surrounded by high firs. They seem to have been specially planted here to preserve this paradise. The water in the lake is absolutely transparent and reflects the sky. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

beautiful lakes

Tags: No tags

The Western-Altai State Nature Reserve was established with the goal of comprehensive protection of the Altai mountain system in 1992. It covers an area of about 56 thousand hectares at the northeastern border of the East Kazakhstan region, 60 km east of the city of Ridder.

This territory has a complex geological history. Here you can see picturesque rock formations – geological monuments of the distant past. The Western-Altai Reserve on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilya Afanasyev.

picturesque rocks of Altai

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · Ridder city

The Arkat Mountains are located in the central part of the East Kazakhstan region, in the area of the settlement of Arkat.

The mountains are very old and almost completely destroyed by erosion except for separately standing rocks. However, despite this, the local landscapes are very picturesque and attract people who prefer active rest. The Arkat Mountains on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilya Afanasyev.

remains of ancient mountains

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast