DISCOVER THE ZHETISU
- 7 rivers, mountains of the Dzungarian Alatau, national parks
- The Great Silk Road, archaeological sites
Reasons to visit Zhetisu
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- Lake AlakolAlakol is a "Motley Lake" famous for its healing waters and black pebble beaches. This is a place where rest fills with strength and health.
- The lake's water is salty and rich in minerals. It changes color from sky blue to deep blue.
- Bathing here helps with skin and joint diseases and restores the immune system. Nearby there are therapeutic mud.
- Ideal for family holidays, fishing and nature lovers.
- The lake is an important point on the migration route of birds. Here you can find the rarest relict seagull, pink pelicans and herons.
- Lake BalkhashBalkhash is one of the largest lakes in Asia, which has a phenomenal feature: It is the only body of water in the world consisting of two different types of water.
- The western part of the lake is fresh and cloudy, while the eastern part is deep and salty. They are separated by a narrow strait and hardly mix.
- A large Ili river feeds the western basin, while the east remains at the mercy of the sun and evaporation.
- A paradise for fishermen and lovers of "wild" sandy beaches.
- Altyn-Emel National ParkThe land of legends, where the mountains change color and the sands sing their ancient songs. This place is called an open-air museum.
- The singing dune is a huge dune that, in dry weather, emits a hum similar to the sound of an organ.
- The red mountains of Aktau, the lava mountains of Katutau and endless rocky plains are adjacent here.
- Kulans (wild donkeys), gazelles and argali roam freely in the park.
- Scythian burial mounds and ancient petroglyphs have been preserved on the territory.
- Zhongar-Alatau National ParkThis park is one of the most picturesque and unspoilt places in the country. Here, nature has been preserved in its pristine, majestic form.
- Sharp cliffs, eternal glaciers, stormy rivers and dense coniferous forests.
- The unique wild apple forests, the birthplace of all apples on the planet, are protected here.
- A home for the secretive snow leopard, brown bear and graceful roe deer.
- A place for those who are looking for real adventures: mountain hikes, mountain climbing and ecological trails.
- Zhongarsky Alatau Mountain rangeA majestic ridge on the border with China, which crowns the Zhetisu region with an ice crown.
- Mighty mountains stretching between the Ili River and Lake Balkhash.
- Alpine meadows that turn into a colorful carpet of flowers in summer, and deep gorges where the country's highest waterfall, Burkhan—Bulak, is hidden.
- These are the "lungs" of the region and the main source of clean water for the rivers and lakes of the Semirechye region.
How well do you know the region?
Zhetisu is a land of contrasts: from singing sands to icy peaks. Take our short 5-question quiz to test your erudition and discover the amazing corners of Kazakhstan.