What to See in Kazakhstan

last edited Dec 11, 2019

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Location Map of Kazakhstan

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Kazakhstan has 5 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Tamgaly Gorge (2004)
The site, near Almaty, is home to around 5,000 petroglyphs, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmad Yasawi in Turkestan (2003)
This remarkable 14th-century structure foreshadows the architecture of cities like Samarkand and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Silk Road (2014)
This famous route between China and the Mediterranean, which reached its peak in the medieval era, is UNESCO-listed for its China-Central Asia section. Beyond its "historical and cultural" value, it still offers traces of that period along its path (caravanserais, monuments, and more).

Saryarka (2008)
Under this name are two natural reserves, Naurzum and Korgalzhyn, both UNESCO-listed. This expanse of steppes and lakes in northern Kazakhstan is a prime spot for many migratory bird species.

Western Tien Shan (2016)
A UNESCO-listed high mountain range spanning several countries, the Western Tien Shan offers stunning landscapes and countless opportunities for hiking on foot or horseback, skiing, and mountaineering. Its wildlife (wolves, bears, birds, etc.) and flora are also exceptionally rich.

Cities and Cultural Heritage

Almaty
The former Kazakh capital is the country's largest city, the liveliest, and home to its wealthier population. While not very touristy, you can still enjoy the nearby mountains, where skiing (Chimbulak and Medeo resorts) or hiking is possible.

Astana
The second-largest city in Kazakhstan has been the capital only since 1997. It stands out for its recent architecture, blending styles in a resolutely modern and avant-garde approach—its main draw for tourists.

Baikonur
The city is internationally renowned for its cosmodrome (spaceport), which can be partially visited under certain conditions. There is also a dedicated museum in the city.

Tamgaly Gorge
The site, near Almaty, is home to around 5,000 petroglyphs, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Kostanay
A large city in the north with several memorials and historic buildings, including its mosque.

Kyzylorda
The major southern city was once an important stop on the Silk Road. Today, it serves as a base for exploring the various remnants of this famous trade route in the region.

Pavlodar
It's a large city in the north of the country with an impressive mosque and several Russian Orthodox churches, along with some old quarters of this city founded in 1720.

Silk Road
This famous route between China and the Mediterranean, which reached its peak in the medieval era, is UNESCO-listed for its China-Central Asia section. Beyond its "historical and cultural" value, it still offers traces of that period along its path (caravanserais, monuments, and more).

Sauran
These are the remains of one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, in the Turkestan region.

Turkestan
This city and its surroundings contain several well-preserved historical and cultural landmarks, starting with the UNESCO-listed Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmad Yasawi.

Natural Heritage

Kazakh Altai
This is a remote region of lakes and mountains in the far northeast of the country. It offers stunning landscapes and a wealth of outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and fishing. It is also home to populations of deer, birds, wolves, bears, and even snow leopards.

Charyn Canyon
A stunning canyon quite similar to the Grand Canyon in Colorado. It is located in Charyn National Park, east of Almaty.

Kyzyl Kum Desert
This is the southern part of the country, below the city of Kyzylorda, where vast arid plains or dune-covered expanses extend into Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Here, you’ll encounter a few oases and "desert castles" from the Silk Road era. Locally, you can take camel treks or spend nights in a yurt.

Lake Balkhash
It's the largest lake in the country. With its "beaches," it serves as a small local tourist attraction, especially for residents of the city of Balkhash built on its shore.

Aral Sea
Shared between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, this vast lake, which has been drying up for decades, offers astonishing landscapes of desolation, with its ship graveyards, particularly around the town of Aral, once a fishing port and now several kilometres from the lake's shores.

Caspian Sea
This vast inland sea separates Kazakhstan from the Caucasus region. A small beach resort scene has existed here since the Soviet era... alongside major oil industry activity.

Altyn-Emel National Park
This rocky and desert area in the southeast is known for the "singing" of its dunes.

Burabay National Park
In the north of the country, not far from Astana, the park is popular with residents of the capital who come to camp and enjoy outdoor activities.

Ile-Alatau National Park
Close to Almaty and quite popular, this beautiful area of mountains, gorges (including the Turgen gorges), lakes, waterfalls, and forests is the traditional habitat for lynx, bears, and leopards. You can hike, ski, or go mountaineering here.

Karkaraly National Park
A rather pretty park of forests and lakes that attracts some visitors in season. Besides possible nature activities and observing local wildlife (birds of prey, deer, wolves...) and flora, you can also see some archaeological remains.

Mangystau Peninsula
A rocky desert with sometimes strange formations bordering the Caspian Sea.

Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve
In the south, on the border with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, this easily accessible mountainous region is known for its many bird species, bears, and especially snow leopards. Trekking is possible here.

Saryarka
Under this name are two natural reserves, Naurzum and Korgalzhyn, both UNESCO-listed. This expanse of steppes and lakes in northern Kazakhstan is a prime spot for many migratory bird species.

Western Tien Shan
A UNESCO-listed high mountain range spanning several countries, the Western Tien Shan offers stunning landscapes and countless opportunities for hiking on foot or horseback, skiing, and mountaineering. Its wildlife (wolves, bears, birds, etc.) and flora are also exceptionally rich.