Semirechye (Seven Rivers), or Zhetysu is a vast area located in the south-east of Kazakhstan (Almaty region).

It is situated between Lake Balkhash in the north, Sasykol and Alakol in the northeast, the mountain range of Jungar Alatau in the south-east, and the ridges of the Northern Tien Shan in the south. Photos by: Grigoriy Bedenko.

the land of lakes

Tags: Almaty oblast

The Kolsai lake cascade is a system of three lakes located in the northern Tien Shan, in the Almaty region.

Let’s walk through the forest trail leading to the second Kolsai lake. Kolsai lakes on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

scenic forest trail and the lake

Tags: Almaty oblast

Stunningly beautiful Charyn Canyon stretches for 154 km along the Charyn River, 195 km east of Almaty, near the border with China.

People living in Kazakhstan are very proud of this place. They say that it is no worse than the famous Grand Canyon in the US.

Charyn Canyon – a true natural wonder

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

According to one local legend, once, the Mangistau region, located in the west of present Kazakhstan, was invaded by the hordes of enemies who covered the land like locusts.

Locals put forth their hands to heaven in prayer for help and they were heard. The heavens opened downpours, thunder and lightning. In an instant, all enemies turned to stone.

amazing and surreal place

Tags: Mangystau oblast

You can see these amazing colorful landscapes, if you visit the tract of Atzhal and the Aybyrzhal Mountains located in the area of the Tekes River in Terskey Alatau Mountains, near the border with China (the Almaty region). Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

gorgeous place

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

The Ustyurt Plateau is a plateau in Kazakhstan (Mangystau region) and Uzbekistan, located between Mangyshlak and the Garabogazköl Gulf in the west, the Aral Sea and the Amu Darya River delta in the east.

According to scientists, the Ustyurt Plateau is a dried-up bottom of the sea existed in these areas about 21 million years ago.

amazing scenery

Tags: landscapes · Mangystau oblast

The river and valley of Kim-Asar are located on the northern slope of the Trans-Ili Alatau near Medeo rink.

This place is very popular among residents and guests of Almaty because it is easy to reach it by bus or car, even untrained tourists can take the route and it is available at almost any time of the year. Photos by: Olga Kulakova.

magnificent views

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

The Aral Sea is a formerly undrained salt lake in Central Asia, located on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Since the 1960s, the level of the sea began to decline rapidly because of the diversion of water for irrigation purposes from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.

Several port cities, such as Aralsk, suddenly found themselves far from the sea, many ships were abandoned. Photos by: Denis Frantsouzov.

once it was the sea

Tags: Abandoned · Kzyl-Orda oblast

This unusual landscape known as steppe or red mountains can be found near Toraigyr Ridge in Enbekshikazakh district of Almaty region. Toraigyr Ridge on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

beautiful spring landscape

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Let’s enjoy beautiful night landscapes of the East Kazakhstan region.

The following photos were taken in such wonderful places as Bukhtarma reservoir (the largest water reservoir in Kazakhstan), Lake Zaisan, Cape Shekelmes, Kiin-Kirish Canyon. Photos by: Anna Anikina.

magnificent views

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast