It’s known that there are many things you can see in Astana. However, there are also many nice and historical places near the city which open Kazakhstan from another perspective. WE have found more interesting places, where you can go without wasting a lot of time. Galiya Mensiitova, the owner of the first travel agent “Outdoor Tours Kz” that specializes in historical, ethnic-archaeological tours in Kazakhstan, told us about such unique places.
“Kurgalzhyn Nature Reserve”
Distance: 150 kilometers
The reserve is located 150 km away from Astana. The wetlands are home to more than 340 types of birds, as pelicans, flamingos, larks, cranes. Foreign guests come here to see not only flamingos but larks too. The reserve has no borders, because the territory is more than 543 thousand km2. There you can see such animals, as badges, Saiga antelopes, foxes, wolves and others.
“ALZHIR” memorial complex
Distance: 25 kilometers
“ALZHIR” is located 25 km away from the city near Malinovka village. “ALZHIR” was the biggest concentration camp in USSR for country traitors’ wives and their children. It includes several expositions as “Stalin train”, “Arch of sorrow” monument, ‘’Despair and powerless”, “Fight and hope”. Also you can see the memorial wall constructed by embassies.
Open-air Museum
Distance: 160 kilometers
This museum is located in 160 km away from Astana, toward Ereimentau. You can meet with the famous burkut falconers, who will show the hunting art. Then you can visit the landscape museum, i.e. the open-air museum of stone statues and burial grounds of IV-V cc. A.C.
It’s the place of kurgans “with moustache” made of stones, which have stone statues called “Balbal tas” in its end. These statues have different sizes and different things, for example a sword or bowl dedicated to sacrifices. Because Kazakhstan was a part of the Great Silk Road, it’s considered that this area hosted the caravan routes, but it will be known in the future”.
Ethnic village
Distance: 320 kilometers
“Ethnic village is located 320 km away from the city. There you can see yurts, horses and other livestock, and stop at the foot of the hill in the yurt, eat beshbarmak, drink kumys, play dombra and sing songs. Locals provide guests with all necessary facilities as food, places for sleeping, etc.
There are many different hills, and one of the highest one called “Zhel tau” (Windy mountain) where you can see the flag of Kazakhstan. There is also one hill called “Shipa tau” (The hill of health). This hill was considered as the center of energy for the nearest village, where locals came for healing. Also there are a lot of springs, small lakes, great number of giant mushrooms, wild berries, and you can see different animals: elks, wild boars, red and roe deer”.
Sandiktau
Distance: 370 kilometers
“Sandyktau” is located 370 km away from Astana. It’s a very beautiful place. The local historian tells us the history of the place where mainly Cossack settlements are located. People who live there still keep traditional lifestyle, traditional apparels, and even songs. There is one legend which tells about Kolchak’s gold is buried in this place, and gold diggers from different parts of the world come here to find treasure. Alexander Kolchak was a polar explorer and commander in the Imperial Russian Navy.
You can climb the mountain “Sandyktau”, 784 meters above sea level, and the climbing is quite hard, but you can have an agreement in advance with local specialist who will help you in the all way.
Photo was given by Galiya Mensiitova
If you want to have more information, you can call to:
Galiya Mensiitova
Director of the tour-agency “Outdoor Tours Kz”