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

Karkaraly Mountains are a mountain massif located in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan, in the eastern part of the Kazakh Uplands. The Karkaraly massif consists of three mountain groups.

The mountains are relatively low and consist of granites, porphyrites, quartzites, and other rocks. The highest point of the massif is 1,403 meters. There are numerous lakes.

beautiful mountain scenery

Tags: Karaganda oblast

The southeastern part of Kazakhstan, a vast area known as Semirechye (Zhetysu), belongs to the few regions of Kazakhstan with rich bioresources.

Seven large rivers flow into Lake Balkhash – hence the name to the region. The longest river is the Ili, which brings to Lake Balkhash about 70% of all incoming water. Semirechye on Google Maps. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

Lakes in the delta of the Ili River sometimes have a very bizarre shape.

late autumn in Semirechye

Tags: Almaty oblast

Saryarka is a vast steppe territory located in Northern and Central Kazakhstan, in the Akmola and Karaganda regions. It is known for its harsh climate, unique ecosystem with rich flora and fauna, and picturesque views.

Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan is the first natural World Heritage site in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It consists of two reserves, Korgalzhyn (Central Kazakhstan) and Naurzum (Northern Kazakhstan), with a total area of ​​450,344 hectares. Korgalzhyn Reserve of Saryarka on Google Maps. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

beautiful steppe scenery

Tags: Akmola oblast · Karaganda oblast

Southern Kazakhstan is the most densely populated part of the country. Here the largest cities of Kazakhstan, Almaty and Shymkent, are located.

The landscapes of Southern Kazakhstan are surprisingly diverse and represent a combination of arid, rather cold (in winter) and hot (in summer) sparsely populated steppes and deserts, snow-capped mountains, and densely populated foothills. Photos by: Dmitry Balakirev.

Famous boundless steppes of Kazakhstan – one of the symbols of the country.

fly over Southern Kazakhstan

Tags: Almaty oblast · South Kazakhstan oblast

Mangyshlak Peninsula is a peninsula on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. The Mangistau region is located on its territory.

One of the most interesting sights on the peninsula is the valley of stone balls called Torysh. There are several hypotheses of their origin, however the exact cause is still not known. The valley of balls on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Mulder.

picturesque geological formations

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Senek is a village with a population of about 2,000 people located in the Karakiyansky district of the Mangystau region.

To the north-east of the village there is a sandy area named after the village – Senek Sands. Here you can see amazingly picturesque landscapes of a fairy tale desert. Senek Sands on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Mulder.

beautiful desert scenery

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Charyn Canyon (also known as Sharyn Canyon) stretches for 154 km along the Charyn River on the territory of the Charyn National Park, about 200 km east of Almaty, near the border with China.

It is a magnificent natural monument built of sedimentary rocks, which age is about 12 million years. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon reaches 150-300 m. Charyn Canyon on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

beautiful monument of nature

Tags: Almaty oblast

Bayanaul mountains are a mountain range located in the southwest of the Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan. The mountains stretch from west to east for 40-50 km, from north to south – for 20-25 km. The highest point, Mount Akbet, reaches 1,022 m above sea level.

Bayanaul State National Natural Park, one of the most protected natural areas of Kazakhstan, was created in this territory. Founded in 1985, it became the first national park in the country. Bayanaul mountains on Google Maps. Photos by: Zekkadrb.

hike in the national park

Tags: Pavlodar oblast