The most breathtaking places to visit in Kazakhstan 

With untouched natural beauty and an abundance of cultural wonders, this awe-inspiring country might be one of the world’s most underrated destinations
The most breathtaking places to visit in Kazakhstan

As the planet’s ninth-largest country, it comes as no surprise that Kazakhstan is teeming with spectacular landscapes, from mountains to salt pans, crystalline lakes to abundant forests and ancient cities bursting with arts and culture. We’ve rounded up some of the top destinations in this fascinating corner of the world that has long been under the radar. Each one alone is worth the trip. 

The Almaty region

With turquoise glacier lakes, waterfalls and epic gorges, this part of the country is widely known to have the best of the country’s national parks. Hike or horse ride to off-the-beaten-path local guesthouses, trek through the Ice Age ash-tree grove in Charyn Canyon, splash through the purest birch-fringed waters of Kaindy Lake or listen to the Singing Dunes of the sands in Altyn-Emel National Park

Burabay National Park

Often referred to as the Kazakh Switzerland, Burabay boasts mountains, lakes and miles of towering evergreen forests that are home to over 305 different animal species. Beautifully unspoilt, the park is a hikers’ and swimmers’ heaven and is noted for its dramatic contrasts, from snow-capped peaks to verdant plains. If you enjoy bird watching you can spot a huge variety, from sandpipers to flamingoes.

Astana

With ultra-modern architecture, lots of museums and a bustling city centre, vibrant Astana is one of the world’s fastest-growing capitals. Visit the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation by globally renowned architect Norman Foster, spend the day in the MEGA entertainment centre, with its expansive range of cinemas and boutiques, or amble through the resplendent Astana Grand Mosque, the largest in Central Asia and one of the biggest in the world. 

Mangystau 

A trip to this region will make you feel as if you’re in the film Dune. In the country’s southwest, Mangystau is a labyrinth of desert lands, mountain ridges and sweeping plateaus. With a rich history dating back to the ninth century AD, you’ll have much to ponder on your trip to the sacred Otpan mountain, the region’s highest point, or along the Mangyshlak Peninsula, which borders the Caspian Sea, and where chalk mountains and underground mosques – notably the stunning Shopan-ata – are waiting to be discovered.

Turkistan Province

Widely known as the Pearl of the Great Silk Road, this region’s ruins and Western Tien-Shan mountains continue to draw discerning explorers from across the nation and the world. With the UNESCO World Heritage-listed 12th-century Mausoleum of Khoja, the ancient settlements of Sauran and Otyrar – one of Central Asia’s oldest cities – and the dramatic canyons of Sairam-Ugam National Park and Karatau Nature Reserve, this is one for history and geography enthusiasts alike. 

East Kazakhstan

With Lake Alakol’s striking black beaches and glassy waters, Katon-Karagay National Park’s meditative waterfalls, and the three-peaked Belukha massif, the highest point in the Altai Mountains, the diversity of this region is something to behold. Deserts, steppes, glacier-dotted mountains and snow-covered taiga forests make East Kazakhstan a must-visit, and with Oskemen – one of the region’s largest cities – offering convenient access, you can easily reach its wonders. 

Ulytau

In the southwest of the Kazakh Upland steppe, you’ll find one of Sary Arka’s oldest mountain ranges, with over 630 monuments dating back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras. Take a tour of ancient Ulytau on the Silk Road, where you can immerse yourself in history by exploring ancient sites and rock carvings, either walking or on horseback. 

Visit https://kazakhstan.travel/ for more information.