December 10, 1997, Astana received the status of the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. After this, the city experienced an unprecedented in the countries of the former USSR rapid growth. A lot of modern architectural and urban planning projects came to life here.

The population increased from 270 thousand people in 1996 to 853 thousand in 2015. The territory of the city greatly expanded to an area of ​​over 700 square km because of the construction of a new administrative and business center and other neighborhoods nearby. Photos by: Ilia Afanasieff.

summer in Astana

Tags: Astana city

If you decide to climb Titov Peak (3,850 m) in the Trans-Ili Alatau (Almaty region), you will see this amazing mountain scenery.

Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range is located in the northwest of the Tien Shan, on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Titov Peak on Google Maps. Photos by: Olga Kulakova.

into the mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast

“Altyn-Emel” is a state national park located in the valley of the Ili River on the territory of Almaty region.

The park was organized on April 10, 1996. The purpose of the park is to preserve the unique natural complex, archaeological, historical and cultural monuments, rare and endangered plants and animal species, the development of ecotourism.

stunningly beautiful place

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Boszhira is a mountain range located in the western part of the Ustyurt Plateau, on the Mangyshlak Peninsula of Mangistau region. It is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan.

Boszhira, the bottom of a dried sea, covers a huge area, and it takes more than one day to explore it. Today, this place is still little-known, and it is not an easy task to visit it.

explore this unique place

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

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

Another great set of photos taken in Altyn Emel National Park located in Almaty region. This time we can enjoy the beautiful views of multicolored Aktau Mountains. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

amazing mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Singing Dune is a sand mountain about 3 km long and 150 m height located in the national park Altyn Emel in Almaty region, 182 km north-east of Almaty.

It is a phenomenon of nature that has become a popular tourist attraction – in dry weather sand emits a sound similar to the organ melody.

the place with singing sands

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Lake Dubygalinskoe (also known as Lake Okun’ki) is located in Ulansky district of East Kazakhstan region. It is situated at the foot of the northern slopes of Mount Dubygaly.

Besides the fact that this lake is a great place for fishing, it attracts travelers for its giant boulders picturesquely scattered along the shores. Lake Okun’ki on Google Maps. The photos were taken by Alexey Maznicin.

really huge rocks

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · landscapes

Akkergeshen plateau is located 56 kilometers to the north-east of Kulsary village, Atyrau region. Fantastic landscape of this place is fascinating.

Unique beauty of the plateau was formed in the Jurassic period, the time of dinosaurs. Shark teeth, dinosaur fossils, footprints on rocks can still be found here. Akkergeshen plateau on Google Maps. The photos were taken by Eduard Kutygin.

picturesque chalk rocks

Tags: Atyrau oblast · landscapes