The Republic of Kazakhstan, located in Central Asia, is where old meets new, and ancient traditions blend with Western culture. Visitors are enchanted by the Kazakh culture as well as the region’s natural beauty.
Until recently, Kazakhstan was hidden from most of the world because it belonged to the former Soviet Union. However, the past twenty years have marked significant growth in this newly independent nation, making it an increasingly popular tourist hotspot.
Kazakhstan provides for virtually every category of tourism, including:
- Educational
- Theatrical
- Cultural
- Ecological
- Therapeutic
- Youth-focused
- Sports
- Equestrian
- High-adventure
South-Kazakhstan, an area rich with ancient history and culture, is known for its famous monuments of medieval architecture, such as:
- The mausoleums of Aisha-Bibi, Karakhan, and Babadzha-Khatun in Ta razan
- The architectural ensemble of Khodja Akhmet Yasavi in Turkestan
- The Scythian burial mounds in Semirechje.
It is, incidentally, the very region that has played host to the world-famous spacecraft launching site, Baikonyr. Additionally, the southern region affords unique climatic opportunities:
- Hunting
- Climbing
- Skiing
- Skating
- Rehabilitation
West Kazakhstan is situated on the crossroads of the European and Asian continents in the basin of the Caspian Sea, the Volga, and the Ural. It is the location of the world’s second deepest depression, Kargije, which lies 132 meters below sea level. In the western region, one can also find prime areas for hunting, angling, and water sports. Numerous reserves and monuments also dot the landscape, such as ancient Mangyshlak and Ustyurt.
North Kazakhstan is a region that provides for numerous tourist activities :
- Cycling
- Boating
- Off-roading
Tourists may also be interested in visiting the North’s natural reserves, Kurgaldzhino and Naurzum, and after a long day of sight-seeing and recreation, one can enjoy the rehabilitative services offered at the health resorts of:
- Kokshetau
- Bayan-aul
- Muyaldy
Central Kazakhstan possesses one of the world’s largest lakes: Balkhash Lake, surrounded by an oasis of forests and mountains. Additionally, within the harbor, various archaeological and ethnographic relics can be discovered.
East Kazakhstan is distinguished by the Altai and its wooded foothills, the Irtysh River, and such lakes as:
- Zaisan
- Markakol
- Alakol
- Sauskan
The Semipalatinsk region, rich with flora and fauna, is also the birthplace of the great Kazakh poet and enlightener, Abay Kunanbaev, who is also responsible for translating many Russian and Eurpoean works into Kazakh. In addition, the author of Enlik-Kebek, (a play similar to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet), Mukhtar Auezov, was born in the Semipalantinsk region. He too is credited with translating literature, such as The Taming of the Shrew, into Kazakh.
Given Kazakhstan’s natural beauty and rapid growth of tourism, the government focuses on international tourism promotion by participating in international travel fairs and exhibitions.
