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

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

Charyn (Sharyn) Canyon, stretching for 154 km along the Charyn River, is located about 200 km east of Almaty, near the border with China, part of the Charyn National Park.

This picturesque natural monument consists of sedimentary rocks formed about 12 million years ago. The height of the rocks reaches 150-300 m. Charyn Canyon on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Rubtsov.

magnificent canyon

Tags: Almaty oblast

Tien-Shan Astronomical Observatory was founded in the mountains of Trans-Ili Alatau near Big Almay Lake, about 30 km south of Almaty, in 1957.

The height of the plateau on which this scientific object is located is 2,735 meters above sea level. Today, it is part of the National Center for Space Research and Technology of Kazakhstan.

night at the observatory

Tags: Almaty 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

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

Trans-Ili Alatau is a mountain range in the northwest of the Tien Shan (on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, is located in its northern foothills.

Due to this fact a range of various climbing trips is available even for amateurs of mountaineering. For example, let’s climb one of the most beautiful peaks of Trans-Ili Alatau – Peak Molodezhny (4,147 m). Peak Molodezhny on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilya Gornostayev.

go to the mountains

Tags: Almaty oblast

Mount Furmanova is located in the vicinity of Almaty, at the end of the Kimasar Gorge. This is a popular place among the guests and residents of the city. Climbing it is available for beginners though it requires a certain level of physical fitness.

The height of the mountain is about 3,050 meters. If you walk from the Medeo rink, the distance to Mount Furmanova is 7.2 km. Mount Furmanova on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilya Gornostayev.

climb the mountain

Tags: Almaty oblast

The so-called “singing barkhan”, consisting of sand of light tones, has a length of up to 3 km and a height of 150 m. It is located in the Altyn-Emel National Park in the Almaty region, 182 km north-east of Almaty.

This monument of nature is famous for the fact that in dry weather the sands emit sounds similar to the melody of the organ. Singing Barkhan on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

legendary place

Tags: Almaty oblast