Discover Kazakhstan: Culture, Nature and Space History

Culture and history in many forms

The Tamgaly Archaeological Landscape shows how closely rock art, settlements and ways of life are connected. Around 5,000 petroglyphs are spread across 48 complexes, together with associated settlements and burial grounds. The images bear witness to livestock herding, social organization and the rituals of pastoral communities. The overall picture therefore includes not only individual rock carvings, but also their setting in a landscape of settlements and burial sites.

The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, formerly Yasi, offers a different cultural focus. It was built under Timur between 1389 and 1405 and stands 38.7 meters high. As one of the largest and best-preserved examples of Timurid architecture, it represents a monumental architectural tradition. Its date and height provide a concrete historical and architectural measure of the building.

The sacred rock sites of Mangystau, in turn, comprise five sites carved into the rock, with extensive adjoining burial grounds. They have been important pilgrimage destinations for centuries. Kazakhstan’s cultural sites are thus clearly distinct: Tamgaly tells of pastoral ways of life, the mausoleum represents Timurid architecture, and the rock sites reflect a long-standing religious significance.

Landscapes from canyon to steppe

Charyn Canyon is a natural landmark made of sedimentary rock. The rocks are about 12 million years old, and the steep canyon walls reach heights of 150 to 300 meters. The Valley of Castles lies within the canyon and is about two kilometers long and 20 to 80 meters wide. These details describe both the canyon’s geological scale and the shape of a particular valley within it.

The route “Four canyons of the Charyn River in the Almaty region” passes through the Kurtogai Valley, the Temirlik River Canyon, Uzyn-Bulak Canyon and the Valley of Castles. Charyn National Park also has three tourist routes, guesthouses, yurt camps and parking areas. Before planning, check the current availability of these facilities, as well as the availability and commercial terms of the named route.

The wetlands of Saryarka are important stopover and crossroads areas for Central Asian migratory birds. Waterbirds travel from Africa, Europe and South Asia to their breeding grounds in western and eastern Siberia. Saryarka’s steppe areas provide valuable refuge for more than half of the regional steppe flora species, threatened bird species and the endangered saiga. The wetlands and steppe represent different habitats and ecological roles.

In Altyn-Emel State National Park, the Aktau and Katutau mountain ranges, the Ili Valley and desert landscapes meet. The park is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Among its distinctive natural features is the approximately 150-meter-high Aygaitas Singing Dune: as the grains of sand move, they produce a characteristic humming sound. The park’s wildlife includes rare kulan, gazelles and caracals; its diverse flora comprises more than 1,800 plant species.

Kolsai-1, the Lower Kolsai Lake, lies at an altitude of about 1,818 meters in a coniferous-forest gorge. Fishing is permitted there, but swimming is prohibited. If you plan activities at the lake, check this rule locally. The natural destinations can also be distinguished by their specific features: canyon formations, migratory birds, steppe species, desert landscapes or a mountain lake with a clear rule on permitted activities.

Baikonur and space history

The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world’s first and largest spaceport. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin launched from there on his first orbital spaceflight. The first artificial Earth satellites and interplanetary probes, as well as crews of the International Space Station, also launched from Baikonur. This history makes space travel a distinct travel interest alongside the country’s cultural and landscape attractions.

Choose a travel focus for your hotel search

When planning, you can first decide which experiences you want to shape your stay: historical sites, nature watching or space history. This way, your choice reflects your actual travel interests rather than a general assumption about what a hotel in the area offers.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mangystau, Almaty, Atyrau, Astana, Qaraghandy, West Kazakhstan, Jambyl, South Kazakhstan, Aqtöbe, Zhangeldi District, North Kazakhstan, Aqmola, Qysylorda, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Qostanai, Karaganda.

For the main travel overview: Asia.