New regions of Kazakhstan and travel through them -
Organization of tours and excursions in Zhetysu region sights -
Zhetysu (translated from Kazakh as "Semirechye") is one of the most picturesque and historically saturated regions of Kazakhstan. Today it is officially called the Zhetysu region and is located in the south-east of the country, covering the lands between Lake Balkhash and Lake Alakol, the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau, the mountains of the Dzungarian Alatau and the valley of the Ili River. This region is famous for its amazing nature, ancient monuments, a variety of flora and fauna, as well as a rich cultural heritage.
Zhetysu region was established in 2022 by decree of the President of Kazakhstan, and part of the territory of the Almaty region was allocated to a new region. The administrative center of the region is the city of Taldykorgan, another equally important city in the region is the city of Zharkent with its famous Zharkent mosque. The main attraction of the region is the Altyn-Emel National Park and Nature Reserve, which contains its natural and historical attractions. The famous Kapchagai reservoir, which is located 60 kilometers from the city of Almaty, is also located in the region.
How to get there and visit -
Zhetysu region (Semirechye) is located near the city of Almaty in the south-east of Kazakhstan, near the city of Taldykorgan, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 45°00'21"N 78°22'05"E
Altyn-Emel National Park in Zhetysu region -
Altyn-Emel Park is the pearl of Zhetysu – Here you can see the legendary "Singing Dune", which is famous for its legends and the unusual sound that sand makes when the wind blows. The Cretaceous mountains of Aktau are also located in the park, which amaze with their uniqueness and the wide range of colors that can be found here. The Katutau Mountains, which appeared here in the past after a volcanic eruption. The whole area here looks very unusual, like something out of a science fiction movie.
The ancient mounds of Besshatyr, the stone steles of Besshatyr (menhirs), and the steles of Oshaktas are ancient, historical, and cultural attractions of the park that attract tourists interested in history, archaeology, and the ancient world. If you are interested in petroglyphs (ancient rock paintings), you can visit the Terekty gorge, where you will see the [url=https://wildticketasia.com/1948-terekty-petroglyphs-in-altyn-emel-park.html]Terekty petroglyphs[/url]. If you are interested in places of power and ancient sanctuaries, you should go to the ancient Kalakai Sanctuary where you can meditate in the center of the stone circle, enjoy the pristine nature and be alone with yourself.
The Park is also famous for its wildlife: it is home to Kerkulans (Przewalsky horse) and Kulans (wild donkeys), argali, jeyran, and many rare bird species. In the park you can visit the sacred spring of Chokan Valikhanov, whose water can heal from ailments. The Park has its own sacred Aulie Agashe tree or 700-year-old willow, which grows in the Kosbastau tract next to the forester's house.
Dzungarian Alatau in Zhetysu region -
On the eastern borders of Zhetysu, where Kazakhstan meets the Chinese province of Xinjiang, the snow-capped peaks of the Dzungarian Alatau rise to the sky. These ancient mountains, crowned by the peak of Semenov-Tyan-Shansky (4622 m), store amazing treasures of nature and history in their gorges.
The Korinsky Gorge is the heart of these places, where the highest waterfall in the country, Burkhan-Bulak, is raging. Its silvery jets, falling from a height of 168 meters, fill the air with fine water dust and rainbows. At the entrance to the gorge lies Aulie-tas, a sacred boulder revered by the locals for centuries. A mysterious Tekeli stupa with Buddhist images lurks nearby: here, a pagoda with a Buddha figure is depicted on a stone, guarded by a mythical dragon lion. These lands are protected by the Zhongar-Alatau National Park, the second largest in Kazakhstan. It was created to protect the unique Sievers apple tree, the ancestor of all apple trees in the world. The park management is located in the village of Lepsi, a historical place: it was here in the XVIII century that the treaty on the incorporation of the Elder Zhuz into Russia was signed. Lepsi is also famous for its honey, which is distributed throughout the country.
Bayan-Zhurek Mountain Valley, Bayan-Zhurek petroglyphs, Eshkiolmes petroglyphs are real open–air museums. Ancient artists left more than 10,000 petroglyphs on their rocks: mountain goats, horsemen with bows, and whole scenes from the life of nomads from different eras – from the Bronze Age to the time of the Turkic khaganates.
Hidden among the mountain ranges is Lake Zhasylkol, the emerald pearl of the Dzungarian Alatau. Its shores are home to noble marals, and snow leopards, Tien Shan bears and lynxes hide in the surrounding rocks.
At the foot of the mountains lie the ruins of Koylyk, the great city of the Great Silk Road. Once, coins were minted here, theologians argued in mosques and temples, and dozens of languages were spoken in the markets.
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