Altyn-Emel National Park, located in Almaty Province, is one of the largest national parks in Kazakhstan. It is known for spectacular scenery that includes mountains, sand deserts, sandstone formations, and steppes. The highlights of the park are the Singing Dune and the Aktau Mountains.

Located in Altyn-Emel National Park, Singing dune is one of the most unique phenomena of nature. The area is referred to as the Singing Dunes on account of the rumbling sound emitted from the sand.

The cause of this phenomenon is still a mystery, but scientists theorize that in hot dry weather the sand gets electrified due to friction and creates a certain sonic vibration.

In the Middle Ages, people who heard the singing of a dune, believed that it was the howling devil.

The volcanic mountains of Katutau ("frozen" or "severe mountains" in Kazakh) are one of the attractions of the Altyn-Emel National Park.

Katutau are the largest and highest desert mountains in Altyn-Emel (the upper limit reaches 1630 m). The Katutau lava mountains are the result of intense volcanic activity in the region. The frozen lava of the volcano has acquired bizarre forms here, becoming a unique natural monument.

Limestone mountains Aktau is a geological museum under the sky. This is one of the most interesting and spectacular objects of tourism in the State National Natural Park “Altyn-Emel”. In Kazakh it means the White Mountains.

Mountains seem white only from afar. In the canyons of the mountains one can find naked multi-colored dome rocks, towers composed of colored layers alternate with dry canyons, filled with calcite crystals. Landscapes change constantly – bastions, towers, small towns, inaccessible castles and canyons, there is no end to them.

A place that includes all varieties of rocks and architectural images inherent in the Charyn Park is Bestamak Canyon. The word "Bestamak" from the Kazakh language is translated as "Five Isthmuses".

The length of the main part of the canyon is 6 km, and along the entire length Bestamak changes its appearance several times: the classic Charyn views alternate with narrow passages - real stone sarcophagi. The colors of the rocks that formed the canyon range from pink to orange. The drying up river Bestamak comes to life only during the spring melting snow or after heavy rainfall.

The main distinguishing feature of the sculptural fort of the Bestamak canyon is the abundance of various towers and clay rocks, reminiscent of the sculptures of Easter Island.

Uzunbulak Canyon is often called White Canyon or Moon Canyon. White clay gives the canyon its color.

This area is strikingly beautiful: a spring with crystal clear water flows between white walls. The clay cave, about 30 meters deep, is worthy of attention too. On the walls of the cave ancient rock paintings are preserved, they are about 2000 years old.

If you go along the stream to the North, you'll see a picturesque yellow-lilac granite canyon, overgrown with trees, shrubs and reeds. Some passages are very narrow and quite long.

Kaindy Lake – a truly amazing example of the creation of nature. It is located among a huge coniferous forest at an altitude of more than 2000 thousand meters above sea level. It was formed by a landslide of a huge accumulation of limestone, as well as subsidence of the soil. The lake contains trunks of submerged Picea schrenkiana trees that rise above the surface of the lake. The area is often referred to as a "sunken forest". The cold water helps preserve the tree trunks, which are overgrown with algae and various other water plants.

The Kolsay Lakes is a popular tourist destination. They are located in the Northern Tien Shan. The word “kolsay” means “lake in the gorge” and there are three of them: Upper, Middle and Lower. They are all quite deep, cool and scenic.

There is also the village of Saty, where you can stay in comfortable and authentic guest houses, try national cuisine, and see the everyday life of the Kazakh people.

The lower lake is located at 1818 meters above sea level and 80 meters in depth. It is accessible by road and has guest-houses, campsites, boats and horse riding.

Canyon Charyn is located on the territory of the Charyn National Park, created with the purpose of preserving natural and geological objects. The National Park was established on February 23, 2004. On the territory of the park there is a large number of rare and endangered species of animals listed in the Red Book.The most famous attraction of the park is Canyon Charyn. It is a picturesque natural place, which strikes with its unearthly landscapes. The depth of the canyon is 200 m. The height of the sheer mountains of the canyon reaches 150-300 m.