One of the favorite places for outdoor activities is Kazakhstan. Its mountains attract tourists. In winter, they go snowboarding and skiing, and in the summer, they walk and enjoy nature and clean air.
Zaili Alatau
Zailiysky Alatau is the high and famous mountains in Kazakhstan. This unique place is located in the southeast of the republic. It is located in the northern part of the Tien Shan mountain system.
In the gorge of Zailiysky Alatau there is a ski resort. It pleases tourists all year round. You can ski from December to April. It is interesting that the organizers thought out routes for experienced people and beginners, so everyone will find something to do. In addition, there are many other attractions. For example, in the summer you can ride bicycles, horses, play paintball, football, and test your strength at the climbing wall. But most importantly, the nature of Zailiysky Alatau will not leave anyone indifferent.
It housed the Turgen Gorge, which gives an extraordinary picturesque nature. It is saturated with lakes, springs. Tourists are attracted by waterfalls that are located in the gorge. There are also mounds, burial grounds, drawings on the rocks, which were made thousands of years ago. History connoisseurs travel to this place to see these wonders with their own eyes.
Khan Tengri
In the center of the Tien Shan, where the borders of Kazakhstan, China, and Kyrgyzstan are in contact, the peak of Khan Tengri is located. This is the largest mountain in Kazakhstan, the highest point, its height reaches 6995 meters. In the republic, this place is considered one of the most beautiful. Almost every climber wants to visit here.
Khan Tengri differs from other mountains in the unusual beauty of the peak. It has the shape of a pyramid. When the sun rises and sets, it takes on a bright red hue. Because of this, in ancient times many legends were written about this place.
Since 2000, a new tradition has appeared. Every year they began to hold the International Festival on Mount Khan Tengri. Here are marathons, competitions between athletes of different types of mountain tourism.
Dzungarian Alatau, Altai Mountains
The mountains of Kazakhstan amaze many tourists , their list is voluminous. For example, in the south-west are the mountains of the Dzungarian Alatau. Here nature untouched by man, it beckons to it. This is a picturesque place where argali, mountain goats, gazelles live. From ancient times, there remained drawings on the rocks, structures for rituals, barrows.
There are other mountains of Kazakhstan. Photos of the Altai Mountains are striking in their beauty. It feels clean air. Sanatoriums and hospitals were built in this place. To improve their health, people come to this part of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The mountains are located in the east, and divide them into three regions.
The symbol of Altai is Belukha Mountain. Its height is 4506 meters. Of all Altai and Siberia, this is the highest peak, which is constantly covered with glaciers and snows. Various legends have been telling about this place since ancient times. For Buddhists in general, this mountain is sacred. They believe that the gods of Shambhala once lived here. And later from here the great Buddha came to India.
Low mountains of Kazakhstan
There are other areas that distinguish Kazakhstan. Its mountains, even of small height, delight with its beauty. These include:
- Small hills Saryarka, located in the center of the country.
- Mangistau mountains, which are located near the Caspian Sea.
- The stone ridge of Mugodzhary, which is located in the west of the Ural Mountains.
By the way, Saryarka is considered a resort area. Many tourists come here to get a good rest. Other small hills include:
- Karkaraly mountains;
- Genghis Tau;
- Aksorgan;
- I will try.
But in the Mangistau mountains is the lowest point in Kazakhstan. This is the
depression of Karagiy, it is 132 meters below sea level.
Animals in the mountains of Kazakhstan
The animals of the mountains of Kazakhstan amaze with their diversity. Here live:
- 490 species of birds;
- more than 100 species of fish;
- 172 species of mammals, 51 - reptiles;
- 12 different types of amphibians.
There are very rare life forms in Kazakhstan. This is Danatian toad, Alai hologlaz. And:
- stone marten ;
- argali;
- Snow Leopard;
- Turkestan lynx.
In order to preserve the fauna, a large number of protected areas were established. Their goal is to preserve the natural nature, its life, provide the best conditions for the development of animals and plants. Rare species found a place to stay here.
Plants
Plants of the mountains of Kazakhstan stand out for their beauty. There are many coniferous forests that occupy most of the highlands. There is also aspen, birch, juniper, apple tree. Alpine and subalpine meadows are located on high mountains. Many medicinal plants grow here. Allocate about 250 of their species. And in the south you can meet a unique plant -
citrus wormwood.Snow ram
Many animals live in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The mountains have their own calling card - this is a snow ram. He has big horns that are twisted into a ring. A sheep lives in those rocky places that are hard to reach. He is very beautiful, feeds on vegetation. In addition, sheep eat dry mushrooms, in which the reproduction of insect larvae occurs. Such food is a source of protein for this animal. Researchers who observed the animals did not notice a single battle between the males, although they have strong horns.
Irbis
Irbis lives in the mountains of Central Asia. He is a climber, so he loves to live on the tops of the mountains. It is also called the snow leopard. The animal is very beautiful, has a leopard color on a gray background. His skin is dense, and the fur is long. Because of this, they often hunt him.
Belongs to the cat family. This beast is on the Red Book list, as the number of snow leopards has decreased significantly. How this predator behaves, people have not yet studied well, since it lives in solitude. The animal is considered strong and proud.
Animal yak
Where the high mountains are located, yaks live . These animals are very strong, massive. They are also grown at home to transport goods. Yak gives milk. The animal has a thick coat, which is used to make yarn. Some nomads use yaks in highlands in such countries:
- Kazakhstan;
- Mongolia
- India
- Nepal;
- Uzbekistan
- China.
Yaks also live in the wild, this species is not adapted to live near a person. Their number is decreasing every year. Such animals grow more massive than domestic yaks.
Saker Falcon
Saker Falcon was studied by professional hunters. They took them from their nests and tamed them for hunting. Further used to catch birds.
Saker Falcon lives in the wild in Altai, Zailiysky Alatau.
Blue spruce
The mountain ranges of Zailiysky Alatau are decorated with blue spruces. These are very tall trees that reach 40-50 meters. They bend over the abysses of mountains. They ate very hardy, as they are not afraid of even severe frosts. After severe alpine winters, they proudly continue to live near the rocks.
By the way, blue spruces are often planted in squares, city parks, although in the natural environment their place of residence is high in the mountains. Sometimes they are located in an area that is 3000 meters above sea level.
Edelweiss
Many legends describe the edelweiss flower. He is considered a symbol of courage, good luck and love. This plant can be seen in the high mountains of Asia and Europe, including in Kazakhstan. In such an area, the sun is very hot, but the flower has protective small villi. Due to this, moisture does not evaporate much. It used to be difficult to get to edelweiss, but now many people grow it near summer houses.
So, many tourists are visited by thoughts about what mountains are in Kazakhstan. This republic is saturated with mountainous terrain, which gives an extraordinary nature, amazing fauna and flora. Anyone who visits here will remember this beauty for a long time.