Balkhash is a drainless semi-freshwater lake located in the south-east of Kazakhstan in the Almaty, Zhambyl and Karaganda regions. This is the second largest perennial salt lake (after the Caspian Sea) and the 14th in the list of the largest lakes in the world.

The uniqueness of Balkhash is that it is divided into two parts by a narrow strait with different chemical characteristics of the water – in the western part it is almost fresh, and in the eastern part it is brackish. Lake Balkhash on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrey Zhuravlev.

the largest inner lake of Kazakhstan

Tags: Almaty oblast · Karaganda oblast · Zhambyl oblast

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

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan with a population of about 1.8 million people. From 1991 to 1997, it was the capital of the country. The city is located in an intermountain depression at the foot of the mountains of Zailiysky Alatau in the extreme south-east of the republic.

The following photos of Almaty were taken at different times of the day and the year from the foothills surrounding the city and Almaty skyscrapers. The author of the photos published on voxpopuli.kz is the famous Kazakhstan photographer Maxim Zolotukhin.

fly over Almaty

Tags: Almaty city

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 Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima located in the city of Karaganda is the largest Catholic cathedral in Kazakhstan. The height of the towers – 40 meters.

Cologne Cathedral in Germany was taken as the basis for the design of the cathedral in Karaganda. Construction continued from 2004 to 2012. Today, it is one of the most magnificent buildings in Karaganda. Karaganda Cathedral on Google Maps. Photos by: Evgeny Tkachenko.

beautiful cathedral

Tags: Karaganda city

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

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