Kazakh Desert

Bala Kyryk-Kyz is another fortress near Kyryk-Kyz fortress used for protection from north nomads

Although this mosque was built in 1902, it is a nice blend between Saudi style and local style.

Hidden in small valley place is a great escape from city noise. Great destination for birdwatchers. Water spring inside valley offers fresh water.

I class railway station built in 1906 by the Russian Empire.

One of the best ruins of Russian church from late 19th century in the area.

It is not a ruin but it is not functioning church either. Used as a culture club and storage in Soviet times, this building is still a good example of old architecture.

It is a great ruin built in Russian Revival style. Very easy to see on the way to Sayramsu gorge.

Church from 1882 is still functioning

Used as a culture club in Soviet times, now protected by the roof. There is also an old school building ruin from late 19th century nearby. Definitely worth to check.

Used as a culture club in Soviet times, now protected by the roof.

Used as a sports hall of nearby school but still retaining wall decorations.

Bayzhansay was booming in WWII times and rapidly declined after ore resources depleted. Great scenery on the way to Bayzhansay also lots of abandoned mines and other infrastructure. There is even abandoned runway on the plateau above city.

Ashisay was also booming on WWII times and then rapidly declined after mine exhaustion. Some people are still living in Ashysay but they do cattle raising but not mining.

Consists of two separate water springs Ata-Bulak and Ana-Bulak (Granny spring and Granddaddy spring) in the middle of desert like mountains.

It is actually a grotto, but who cares when it is so humongous. Whole trees reside inside this cave.

A protected area, accessible on any car, road is somewhat maintained time after time. Couple kilometers in gorge there is a paleolithic cave.

This place is nice, have road in mint condition and very popular hence crowded with locals. There is a space for picnic or good starting point to hike to Sayram peak, Sazanata petroglyphs or Sayramsu lakes.

This spectacular gorge is narrow at some places. Sometimes like 1 meter narrow and you can touch both walls while walking. Rubber boots advised if you visiting before August, later water level is lower and one can jump on stones. There is a little waterfall in the gorge.

It is a great destination if you want to taste Karzhantau mountain range. Waterfall is located right where river leaves valley and one can see it only at spring because later river will dry out. Easy to access on a car. Then you may hike valley or traverse to the both adjacent valleys. One of them having a lake for your eyes pleasure.

This waterfall is also located on the plain where river almost left mountains. Easy access on the car. Works in spring then dries out.

Hidden behind Karzhantau mountain range lake Susingen is growing in popularity among hikers. It is usually accessible in May and June and disappears in July till next srping.

Rare location where desert dunes touch water.

Although it takes a bit of bureaucratic effort to admit oneself to Arys Sanatorium swimming in hot pool is great especially in chilly weather

Hot pool build around artesian well offers great opportunities to relax

Hot artesian well right in the middle of village Akkum. There is no place to swim but one can get any amount of hot water for free.

Located on a facade of soviet cinema Saryarka.

Located across the street of cinema Saryarka and hidden behind new roof.

Located on facade of soviet building.

Located across the main street from old mosaic.

Located on top of hills with rocky outcrops.

Located on south slopes of small dry valley.

Located on top of few hills in this valley.

Located on top of few rocky outcrops on old glacier moraine.

It is not far from Shymkent city although is pretty hard to reach. Diameter is 200 meters and 20 meter deep. It took around 5 kiloton TNT to dig crater of this size. No radiation detected. In spring some wild ducks nurse their ducklings in water puddle inside crater.

There are two railway tunnels in Kazakhstan and one of them is abandoned. This one is old from Russian Empire times when branch to Aulie-Ata (nowadays Taraz) was constructed.

It is a great example of early soviet bridge architecture. At first railroad weaved its way to the bottom of Mashsat gorge and back on top. Later in 1930s overpass was constructed and it is still there.

It planned to be simple exploration adit but geologists unexpectedly opened sealed natural cavity. While being opened for everyone quality of the cave deteorated but still it is a nice place to visit if you are into digging.

It is a great destination for hikers with underground cave obsession. Pay national park fee, park your car a bit further, then hike 400 meters elevation, then hike downhill 400 meters. It takes whole day to visit this mines. There is no straight way through river valley as it is occupied by border guard base, but they don't mind if you hike around.

Sygnak was a major city on Syrdarya since XIII century

First Russian Empire outpost in the region.

Less what you would expect to find in a desert is an I class railway station from another civilization with many other old houses scattered around.

Built in 1906 by Russian Empire this architectural ensemble still in good condition. Railway station is II class by Empire project. You can even check old steam locomotive depot.

Built in 1906 by Russian Empire I class railway station is a luxury isle in the middle of desert.

Built in 1906 by Russian Empire II class railway station complex is still worth to see.

Built in 1906 by Russian Empire III class railway station is small but less than expected piece of art-nuveau architecture style in desert.

Thousands of petroglyphs located on southern slopes of dry valley

It used to be right on lake shore but now hid in desert. Location is developed a bit in last years.

Rustic hot artesian well in desert.

Place where Taraz originated couple millennia ago. Right next to it Taraz museum located.

Built in XVIII century by the Arab army.

Was built in medieval times. Now in ruins.

Huge complex is better accessible when driving from Almaty to Taraz.

Built in Russian Empire times and still standing on busy crossroad in Merke.

Popular destination for hiking.