Natural attractions of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve -
Horseback riding around the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve -
Aksu-Zhabagly State Nature Reserve is the first reserve in Kazakhstan, occupying the northwestern part of Talas Alatau (Western Tien Shan), the oldest state nature reserve in Central Asia. The reserve was founded in 1926 and is included in the UNESCO list of world reserves. The reserve is located in several altitude zones, the plant world of the reserve is extremely diverse, amateur botanists from all over the world come here and study plants. 1400 species of plants, 61 species of mosses, 58 species of lichens grow here. The reserve is home to 42 species of mammals such as argali, roe deer, deer, leopard, Tien Shan brown bear, badger, marten, etc. 238 species of birds also live in the reserve, which attracts ornithologists from all over the world.
How to get there, visit -
The Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve is located 100 kilometers from the city of Shymkent, between the two rivers Aksu and Zhabagly, Zhualynsky district, Turkestan and Zhambyl regions, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 42°22′44″N 70°36′35″E
Information -
Aksu-Zhabagly is the oldest nature reserve in Kazakhstan, as well as the first reserve in Central Asia to receive the status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is located in the Tien Shan mountains at an altitude of 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. The main highlands alternate with semi-deserts and humid plains, as well as juniper forests with their amazing landscapes. The rich plains in the humid steppe created favorable conditions for the growth of thin shrubs interspersed with juniper. Alpine flowers of various colors bloom on the slopes of snow-capped peaks. Aksu-Zhabagaly is home to rare plants and animals unique to these regions. Butterflies play on the sun-drenched plains, among which you can see the rare Apollo butterflies. The landscape of the reserve is picturesque and mysterious. Plains and meadows alternate with high-peaked mountains and are crossed by rocky gorges. Rivers flow into deep gorges and form roaring waterfalls. The sky, like a mirror, is reflected in the bottomless blue icy mountain lakes. At an altitude of 3000 m above sea level, in inaccessible mountains, you can find a “gallery” of rock carvings carved into the rocks. They depict domestic and wild animals, hunting of ancient people.
Photogallery:
