Kazakhstan: Explore the hidden gem in Central Asia

With its vast geographical land and vibrant, diverse landscapes, Kazakhstan proudly holds the title of being the world’s largest landlocked country. This gem, located in Central Asia, boasts a mesmerizing variety of attractions, including canyons, sprawling deserts, arid plains, towering glaciers, and ancient architectural wonders, making it a year-round destination for travelers. Spanning nine climate zones and two time zones, Kazakhstan’s geographical diversity is a treat to eyes and soul site.

Explore the beautiful landscapes of Kazakhstan.

Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, the country’s geographical diversity accounts for the ultimate travel experience. Suppose you are planning on making an extensive itinerary. In that case, you must jot down all the best destinations to visit in Kazakhstan that are significant historically and offer a multitude of activities. Some of the major divisions in Kazakhstan are Almaty, Astana, Central Kazakhstan, Eastern Kazakhstan, Northern Kazakhstan, Southern Kazakhstan, and Western Kazakhstan. Here is the list of the top destinations one should not miss out on in Kazakhstan.

Astana- capital city of Kazakhstan

The capital city of Kazakhstan, Astana, stands high as an exemplary city with the perfect amalgamation of beauty and modernization. With mesmerizing beautifully architectured buildings to eye-beholding tourist attractions such as Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, National Museum of Kazakhstan, Nur-Astana Mosque, City Park, Independence Square and Kazak Eli Monument, Assumption Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Hazrat Sultan Mosque.

Almaty- live the rich cultural heritage.

The city of Almaty is located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, and this place is known for its gorgeous setting and picturesque outdoors. The snow-capped mountains make the best backdrop landscape ever, standing tall as the protector of the city; until 1997, Almaty was the capital of the country, and it is still one of the top tourist attractions because of its Central State Museum, which holds cultural heritage. The top tourist places in Almaty are Beatles Statue of Almaty, Charyn Canyon, The Last Wild Apple Forests, Big Almaty Lake, Kok-Tobe Hill, Kolsai Lakes, Almaty Central Park, Lake Issyk, Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, Panfilov Park, and The Arasan Baths.

Aktau- City of Old Tales

Aktau is a 40-year-old city, looking over the breathtaking Caspian Sea. You can experience more ancient architectural ensembles here. Cultural centers, concert halls, cinemas, and libraries from ancient times will take you to 40 years ago. You can also enjoy streets for hours admiring the architectural ensembles, green alleys lined with poplars and acacias, emerald-green lawns, and parks. The tourist spots in Aktau are the World War II Memorial, Botanical Garden, Regional Museum, Costa Cafe, seafront, Taras Shevchenko Statue, and multi-colored mountains in Altyn-Emel National Park.  

Taraz- Place of secrets

If you love to explore historical places and love to dig deeper into the past, this is the best place to explore in Kazakhstan. You can visit Babaji-Khatun Mausoleum for its distinct sixteen-ribbed conical dome or plan an excursion to the Talas River in the south near the border with Kyrgyzstan. Taraz is a historical city and one of the popular places to visit in Kazakhstan for every tourist. Akyrtas, Stonehenge, Mausoleum Sha-Mansur, Aisha Bibi Mausoleum, Aisha Bibi village, Taraz Regional Museum, and Shakhristan Market are the major tourist attractions. 

Lake Balkhash- Spot marine life

Situated in the east of the Aral Sea, the lake is a major source of hydroelectric projects in the country and a notable Kazakhstan place to visit. You can spot plenty of ancient rock-cut traces and marine life, including as many as 20 species of fish. Camping and water fishing are two major activities you can enjoy at Lake Balkhash. 

Baikonur- Space launch facility

Baikonur is the oldest and largest space launch facility, administered by the Russian Federation.

Baikonur Cosmodrome was one of the secret missile testing sites that was a strategically important place for Russians. Cosmonaut Grove, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Yuri Gagarin statue, Tribute to Yangel, and Nedelin catastrophe are the top tourist attractions in Baikonur. 

Semey- Fascinating architecture and the monuments

Semipalatinsk, now known as Semey, is one of the top tourist places in Kazakhstan, with the fragrance of history in its air. The city is also epitomized by the fascinating architecture and the monuments that it has preserved from ages ago. The top tourist spots in Semey are the Dostoevsky Museum, Nevzorov’s Art Museum, Tarnybai Kaukenov mosque, Orthodox Resurrection church, and ‘Stronger than Death Monument’ – in memory of victims of Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground.

Turgen Gorge- Trekking for thrill seekers

A part of Ile Alatau National Park, Turgen Gorge is the best spot for thrill seekers to enjoy trekking. It has dense forests and picturesque landscapes with clear air to fill your lungs while you trek through the alpine meadows and seven waterfalls. The best spots in Turgen Gorge are Turgen Waterfalls, the Church of Archangel Mikhail, and Kairakskiy Waterfall.

Lake Kaindy- Dam created by nature

Lake Kaindy is a 400 m-long lake situated at an altitude of 2000 m. In 1911, due to an earthquake, an enormous landslide led to the formation of this lake. The forest submerged as water started to flood in the basin. The popular tourist places in Turgen are Charyn National Park, Altyn Arashan, Dungan Mosque, and Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Tamgaly-Tas: Religious Sanctuary

In ancient times, religious rituals in Kazakhstan were held in an open-air sanctuary, Tamgaly-Tas. It means ‘written rocks’ as the rocks here are inscribed with beautiful images of Tibetan scriptures and Buddha. You will find around 5,000 petroglyphs from the Bronze Age. If you are a history buff and looking for ancient tourist places in Kazakhstan, then you must include Tamgaly-Tas in your bucket list. 

From the angling and crisscrossing skyscrapers to age-old monuments, and from gothic buildings exuding colors to the dreamy setting of town by the Caspian, every popular tourist attraction in Kazakhstan is so photogenic. You cannot miss the beauty of Kazakhstan tourist places nestled in the heart of Asia! Plan a trip to Kazakhstan for a soothing vacation to this amazing land.

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