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

The Kent Mountains, belonging to one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, are a mountain forest oasis located in the Karkaraly district of the Karaganda region, in Central Kazakhstan.

The intermontane valleys and slopes of the mountains are covered with pine forests, over which thousands of rocks of bizarre forms rise. Photos by: Zekkadrb.

trekking in the ancient mountains

Tags: Karaganda oblast

The Karynzharyk depression is located almost entirely in the territory of the Ustyurt State Nature Reserve in the southwestern part of the Mangystau region in Western Kazakhstan.

The distinctive feature of this area are the five remnant mountains, towering more than 150 meters in the midst of the salt plain. Three of them stand close to each other, locals call these mountains “Three Brothers”.

very picturesque place

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Boszhira, a mountain range consisting of a variety of chalk cliffs, is located in the western part of the Ustyurt plateau on the Mangyshlak peninsula in the Mangystau region.

Boszhira, the former bottom of the sea, occupies a very large area and consists of cliffs of various bizarre forms, which appeared as a result of erosion. It takes more than one day to explore it. Boszhira on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Mulder.

explore Boszhira

Tags: Mangystau oblast