Around 5,000 petroglyphs make the archaeological landscape of Tanbaly an impressive window into Kazakhstan’s early history. The rock carvings are spread across 48 complexes with associated settlements and burial grounds, bearing witness to livestock herding, social organization and the rituals of pastoral communities. Tanbaly is in the southeast of the country. Alongside the images, the way of life of the people who created them also comes into view.

Tourism in Kazakhstan brings together Silk Road heritage and the Baikonur Cosmodrome with landscapes ranging from deserts to alpine regions. The discoveries below show the breadth of the country’s cultural and natural attractions.

Rock Art, Architecture and Pilgrimage Traditions

The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi stands in Turkestan, formerly known as Yasi. Built under Timur between 1389 and 1405, it is 38.7 metres tall and is one of the largest and best-preserved examples of Timurid architecture. Its historical dating and architectural classification give the building a clear place in the region’s history.

The rock mosques and associated sacred sites of Mangystau comprise five sanctuaries carved into the rock, with extensive adjoining burial grounds. These sites have been important pilgrimage destinations for centuries. Here, distinctive rock architecture and longstanding religious significance are closely connected aspects of the same cultural heritage.

These places each have a distinct focus: Tanbaly reveals the way of life of pastoral communities, the mausoleum represents Timurid architecture, and Mangystau brings together sacred rock sites and a centuries-old pilgrimage tradition.

Canyons and Vast Landscapes

Charyn Canyon is a natural landmark formed from sedimentary rock. The rocks are around 12 million years old, and the steep canyon walls reach heights of 150 to 300 metres. The Valley of Castles lies within the canyon: it is about two kilometres long and 20 to 80 metres wide.

The “Four canyons of the Charyn River in the Almaty region” route passes through the Kurtogai Valley, the Temirlik River Canyon, Uzyn-Bulak Canyon and the Valley of Castles. If you plan to include this route in your itinerary, check its availability and current conditions in advance.

Bird Migration, Steppe and Biodiversity

The wetlands of Saryarka are important stopover and crossroads sites on the Central Asian flyway. Waterbirds travel from Africa, Europe and South Asia to their breeding grounds in western and eastern Siberia. Saryarka’s steppe regions also provide valuable refuge for more than half of the regional steppe flora species, threatened bird species and the endangered saiga. The wetlands and steppe thus reveal different aspects of Kazakhstan’s natural environment: an important migration corridor in one, habitat for rare species in the other.

Altyn-Emel State National Park is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It encompasses the Aktau and Katutau mountain ranges, the Ili Valley and desert landscapes. Its wildlife includes rare kulan, gazelles and caracals, while its rich flora includes more than 1,800 plant species. One striking natural phenomenon is the Aygaitas Singing Dune: around 150 metres high, it produces a distinctive hum as the sand grains move.

Kolsai-1, the Lower Kolsai Lake, is a mountain lake at an elevation of about 1,818 metres in a coniferous forest gorge. Fishing is permitted at the lake, but swimming is prohibited. Check this visitor rule locally before planning your stay.

Space History and Practical Information

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, interplanetary probes and crews of the International Space Station were also launched from Baikonur. Space history is therefore one of the defining themes of a trip through Kazakhstan, alongside cultural heritage and landscapes.

Charyn National Park is about 200 kilometres east of Almaty, along the Kulja Highway. The highway is paved. The national park’s visitor facilities include three routes, guesthouses, yurt camps and parking areas. Check which facilities will be available before your visit.

More Destinations

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