6 most beautiful places to visit in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Looking for beautiful destinations to visit in Kazakhstan? The Almaty Province provides some of the most fascinating and picturesque natural landscapes in the country. Visiting some of these spots may require you to put on your walking boots and book nearby accommodation, but they are worth the trip for the unforgettable sights. From glacial lakes and rainbow mountains to singing sand and stunning canyons, be inspired by some of Kazakhstan's natural wonders.

Ile-Alatau National Park is one of the most easily accessible destinations from the city of Almaty. This 200 square kilometre wilderness to the south of the city has mountains, alpine meadows, woodlands, and lakes to explore (see Big Almaty Lake below). It's also home to many elusive animals such as the snow leopard, Tian Shan brown bear, lynx and more than 200 species of bird, including the golden eagle.

Approximately an hour away from Almaty in Ile-Alatau National Park is one of the region’s favourite landmarks. Big Almaty Lake is a natural alpine reservoir, with the Alatau mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop. The colour of the lake changes hues of blue throughout the year, with September and October being the best time to catch the brightest turquoise water. Take note, it’s forbidden to swim in Big Almaty Lake, as it’s one of the main drinking sources for Almaty residents.

Around three hours drive from Almaty, Charyn Canyon in Charyn National Park is one of the most impressive natural rock formations in the region. Dubbed the Grand Canyon's 'little brother', this awe-inspiring site is formed from red sedimentary rock up to 12 million years old. One of the best spots to view the canyon is from the bottom in the ‘Valley of Castles’, where you can gaze up at the impressive gorge walls towering above.

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Head 300 kilometres east of Almaty to explore Kolsay Lakes National Park. Hidden between the Tian Shan mountains are three gorgeous glacial lakes surrounded by forests and wildflowers. Also within the park is Lake Kaindy, arguably the most picturesque place in Kazakhstan. This lake has an ancient aura about it, but it was only formed in 1911 when a large landslide blocked the gorge and created a reservoir. What makes it unique are the trunks of old spruce trees rising out of the emerald water.

Around 260 km north of Almaty, Altyn-Emel is one of the largest National Parks in Kazakhstan and known for its spectacular scenery – including mountains, steppes and desert. It's here you can find mighty hills of sand up to 150 metres high and 3 kilometres in length. They are called the Singing Sand Dunes because in windy and dry weather, the moving sand creates a low rumble, often compared to an organ or jet engine. This natural sound phenomenon can reach 105 decibels and be heard up to several kilometres away.

Another natural wonder to discover to the east of Altyn-Emel National Park are the Aktau Mountains. The origin of this unusual, colourful landscape is connected to the rising of land area back in the Cretaceous period. Now, the rainbow mountains display layers of red, pink, green and blue, formed from mostly from clay and limestone. It's a favourite spot for archaeologists, who have previously discovered dinosaur bones here.