Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, where endless steppes give way to towering mountain ranges, and megacities coexist with ancient monuments of nomadic civilizations. This is a destination for those seeking adventure, cultural discoveries, and a chance to see a world that is not yet overrun with tourists. Modern travelers are increasingly choosing Kazakhstan for its stunning natural landscapes.

Brief Historical Context

The territory of Kazakhstan was inhabited as early as the Paleolithic era, and during the Bronze Age, the Andronovo culture flourished here. In the 1st millennium BC, these lands were home to the Saka – nomadic tribes who created a distinctive civilization. It is to the Saka era that the "Golden Man" belongs – a warrior in golden armor found in the Issyk kurgan, who has become a national symbol of the country.

From the 6th to the 13th centuries, the territory was part of the Turkic Khaganates and later of the Golden Horde. In the 15th century, the Kazakh Khanate was formed – the first state union of Kazakh tribes, when the language, traditions, and customs of the people were shaped. In the 18th–19th centuries, Kazakh lands became part of the Russian Empire, and in the 20th century – part of the Soviet Union, experiencing industrialization and complex pages of history. In 1991, Kazakhstan declared its independence and today is one of the most dynamically developing countries in Central Asia, striving to take its rightful place in the global community.

Cultural Diversity

Kazakhstan is a multinational country where more than a hundred ethnic groups coexist peacefully: Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, Uyghurs, Koreans, Germans, Tatars, and many others. This diversity has shaped a unique atmosphere where mosques, Orthodox churches, and Buddhist datsans stand side by side in the same city. Kazakh culture is deeply rooted in its nomadic past: the dombra, the folk tales of akyns, hospitality, and national dishes – beshbarmak and kumys – remain an important part of life. Here, holidays such as Nauryz and Kurban Ait are carefully preserved, with traditions passed down from generation to generation.

Almaty and its Mountain Surroundings

The southern capital of Kazakhstan is an ideal starting point for getting to know the country. The city, surrounded by the mountains of the Zailiysky Alatau, combines green parks, colorful markets, and Soviet architectural heritage with the modern life of a metropolis. Take a stroll through the Green Bazaar – a bustling Eastern market where dried fruits, spices, horse meat, and national sweets are sold. Be sure to visit the Ascension Cathedral in Panfilov Park – a unique wooden building constructed without a single nail, designed by architect Andrei Zenkov – and the Memorial of Glory with the Eternal Flame. Take the cable car up to Kok-Tobe hill: from the observation platform at the top, you`ll enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the mountain ranges, and the endless steppes beyond.

Special attention deserves the Medeo – the highest-altitude ice skating rink in the world, located in the Zailiysky Alatau gorge. Over the decades, more than two hundred world records in speed skating have been set here. Nearby is the year-round ski resort of Shymbulak, with slopes certified for international competitions. A cable car takes visitors to an altitude of over three thousand meters, where snow lies even in summer, and from the summit, views open up over glaciers and mountain peaks.

Almaty Region: Canyons and Lakes

The Charyn Canyon is the main natural wonder of the region, often compared to the Grand Canyon in the USA, though it is older than its American "counterpart." Its age exceeds 12 million years, and the height of its sheer cliffs reaches 150–300 meters. The most popular spot is the Valley of Castles, where wind and water have carved whimsical rock towers, columns, and arches that resemble medieval fortresses. The Charyn River flows along the canyon floor, and along its banks grows a relict tugai forest of ash trees – a place where you can take shelter from the scorching sun. You can get here by car, and exploring the canyon requires walking.

The Kolsai Lakes are a cascade of three mountain lakes located at altitudes from 1,800 to 2,800 meters. The Lower Lake is accessible to everyone and is a half-hour walk from the parking area. The Middle Lake requires a more serious climb, while the Upper Lake is considered the most picturesque: its mirror-like surface reflects the snow-capped peaks of the Kungey Alatau range. The full route to the three lakes takes about 6–8 hours on foot one way. The area is popular among trekkers and panoramic photography enthusiasts, and tourist camps and guesthouses have been set up in the surroundings. According to data for 2025, the Kolsai Lakes National Park was visited by more than 350 thousand tourists.

Lake Kaindy is one of the most unusual lakes in Kazakhstan, formed as a result of an earthquake in the early 20th century. A landslide then blocked the gorge, and the waters of a mountain river flooded a spruce forest. The lake`s main feature is the submerged spruce trunks that protrude from the water, creating a surreal landscape. The lake is located at an altitude of about 2,000 meters and is surrounded by rocky slopes. The water here is so clear that the underwater forest is visible from the surface, and in calm weather, you can see the trunks at depths of up to 30 meters. This place attracts divers, photographers, and seekers of unusual landscapes.

Burabay: "Kazakh Switzerland"

The Burabay National Park in the Akmola Region is one of the most visited natural attractions in the country. Over the seven months of 2025, it was visited by more than 600 thousand tourists. The park is known for its unique combination of pine forests, granite rocks of whimsical shapes, and crystal-clear lakes. The most famous rock is "Okzhetpes," which translates as "The arrow that did not reach its target" – according to legend, it was carved by wind and water. Lake Borovoe, with its clean water and islands in the middle, is the main pearl of the park. There are hiking and cycling trails, picnic areas, and equipped beaches. This is an ideal place for family vacations, active tourism, and wellness programs.

Altyn-Emel National Park

The Altyn-Emel National Park in the Zhetysu Region is one of the main attractions for lovers of desert landscapes and paleontology. The main highlight is the Singing Dune, a sand barrow over three kilometers long and about 150 meters high, which emits sounds reminiscent of organ music when sand shifts in dry and windy weather. This phenomenon is still being studied by scientists. Additionally, in the park you can see the Aktau Mountains – colorful hills with bizarre layers of sedimentary rock in red, green, white, and purple. This place is called "the Earth`s frozen history" – fossilized remains of ancient animals have been found here. The park also contains the ancient petroglyphs of Tamgaly-Tas – rock carvings depicting camels, deer, and hunting scenes, as well as Buddhist images carved into stone.

Astana: The City of the Future in the Steppe

The new capital of Kazakhstan is a complete contrast to the country`s natural attractions. The city, which has grown in the middle of the steppe over the past two decades, amazes with its futuristic architecture. The main symbol of the capital is the Baiterek monument: a 97-meter tower with an observation deck at the top, offering a 360-degree view of the entire city and the endless steppe around it.

Must-see sites include the Khan Shatyr shopping and entertainment center, built in the shape of a giant tent 150 meters high. Inside, there is a real beach with sand and palm trees, where the temperature is maintained year-round at around 26 degrees. The Hazret Sultan Mosque is the largest mosque in Central Asia, its white walls and blue domes visible from afar. The National Museum of Kazakhstan is one of the largest museums on the continent, housing exhibits from the Bronze Age to the present day, including the golden jewelry of Saka kings. The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, shaped like a pyramid and designed by British architect Norman Foster, is a symbol of interfaith dialogue and the venue for annual congresses of world religious leaders.

Mangystau: Desert Landscapes and Underground Mosques

Western Kazakhstan, and particularly the Mangystau Peninsula, offers a completely different tourist experience – futuristic desert landscapes, canyons, and unique historical sites carved into rocks. The underground mosques of Shakpak-Ata and Sultan-Upe are religious structures completely carved into the thickness of limestone. Shakpak-Ata, dating from the 9th–10th centuries, consists of several rooms, including a prayer hall and cells for pilgrims, with natural lighting through openings in the dome.

The Boszhira Tract is one of the main natural gems of Mangystau, located on the Ustyurt Plateau 300 kilometers from Aktau. Millions of years ago, this was the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean, and today – white chalk cliffs, canyons, and bizarre outlier mountains. The hallmark of the tract is two limestone peaks, nicknamed the "fangs," which have become a symbol of Mangystau and are depicted on the 1000-tenge banknote. Boszhira is often compared to Monument Valley in the USA: the similarity lies in the isolated, oddly shaped rock outliers; the difference is in the color of the rocks (in Kazakhstan they are white, chalky). Unlike its American counterpart, Boszhira is far less crowded and more affordable. You can only get here by off-road vehicle, and the best time is early morning or sunset, when the cliffs turn pink and golden.

The Kapamsay Canyon impresses with sheer cliffs up to 300 meters high, at the bottom of which a river flows. The Valley of Balls (Torysh) is a place where dozens of perfectly round stone spheres are scattered along the slopes, formed millions of years ago due to chemical processes in sedimentary rocks.

Eastern Kazakhstan: Mountains and Reserves

The Katon-Karagay National Park in the East Kazakhstan Region is a vast protected area of over 600 thousand hectares with mountain scenery, alpine meadows, and healing springs. The park became the first in Kazakhstan to be included in the Green Destinations list for sustainable tourism development.

The main attractions of the park are Lake Yazevoe, located among glacial moraines, Mount Belukha – the highest peak of the Altai (4,506 meters), which attracts climbers from around the world, and the Rakhmanov Springs – hot healing springs with water temperatures up to 40 degrees, beneficial for treating joint and skin conditions. This is an ideal place for ecotourism, mountaineering, and health-oriented recreation. There are trails of varying difficulty, equipped campsites, and guesthouses.

Hidden Gems of Kazakhstan

Beyond the popular destinations, the country has many lesser-known places that tourists are gradually discovering: 
The Korgalzhyn Reserve in the Akmola Region is just a two-hour drive from Astana. This place is unique for housing the northernmost nesting colony of pink flamingos in the world. The reserve is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list "Saryarka – Steppes and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan." In addition to flamingos, hundreds of bird species live here, including Dalmatian pelicans, and rare animals – saigas, wolves, and corsacs. The best time to visit is from May to September.

The Tarbagatai Mountains in Eastern Kazakhstan are a secluded mountain range with petroglyphs, pastures, and the traditional way of life of nomadic communities, which has remained here almost unchanged. They are of interest for trekking and ethno-tourism. Here you can see ancient rock carvings, visit nomadic camps, and try traditional Kazakh dishes cooked over an open fire.

The Merke Regional Park in the Zhambyl Region is a new destination, opened in 2025. In the mountains at altitudes of up to 3.5 thousand meters, sanctuaries of medieval Turks have been preserved – 36 ritual complexes and over 60 stone statues dating from the 5th–14th centuries. This is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent years in Central Asia. Excursion routes with archaeologist guides have been developed for tourists, as well as hiking trails to mountain lakes and waterfalls.

Kazakhstan is a country where in a single trip you can see several natural zones at once: mountain glaciers, alpine meadows, deserts, canyons, and steppes. There is something to see for both active travelers and those who prefer leisurely walks and photography. Trekking in the mountains, river rafting, off-road trips through canyons, skiing, exploring underground mosques and ancient petroglyphs – the choice of routes is vast. At the same time, many attractions are just a few hours` drive from major cities, and infrastructure is constantly developing, making travel around the country increasingly comfortable.

Kazakhstan is suitable for trips at any time of year. In winter – ski resorts and skating rinks; in spring and summer – hiking and lakes; in autumn – golden canyons and cozy gorges. The cost of a trip here is lower than in many popular European or Asian destinations, and the level of service in hotels and tourist centers is growing every year. If you are looking for a destination that is not yet overrun with tourists but offers a variety of vivid experiences, Kazakhstan is a great choice. There is truly much to discover here, and every year the country becomes more convenient for independent travelers.