Three Must-Sees for Tourists in Kazakhstan

Tourism is on the rise, not just in Kazakhstan but in all of the Turkic-influenced countries of Central Asia. Tourism was virtually unheard-of in the region until the early 1990s. Two decades later, travelers and eco-tourists are still discovering Kazakhstan’s cultural, natural, and religious hot spots.

Tourists from the US and Canada already familiar with nearby destinations in India and China are finding locations of note across the steppes of Central Asia. If you’re planning a visit to Kazakhstan, or if you’re looking for an adventure vacation in a little-travelled part of Asia, the three must-see locations described below will make you more familiar with this burgeoning world power.

We’ve selected one spot that shows off the country’s natural beauty, one must-see location of cultural interest, and one place where Kazakh spiritual life is on display.

Discover Kazakhstan’s Natural Beauty at the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve

Nestled in the mountains of Tien Shan, a geologically diverse corner of the southern border of Kazakhstan, tourists will find the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve. Ancient rock carvings from primitive nomads passing through the area are difficult to access but offer some of the most curious clues into Kazakhstan’s natural and cultural past.

The beauty of these Asian mountains coupled with the opportunity to learn about Kazakhstan’s pre-history makes Aksu-Zhabagly the number one Kazakhi attraction - bird-watchers, hikers, eco-tourists, and students of history all merge on the same spot, preserved by the country’s government in perpetuity.

Kazakh Culture on Display – The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

Building the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation was one of the first moves toward democracy made by Kazakhstan’s President Navzrbeyev. To change the image of Kazakhstan from a country at war with all non-Muslim religions to one more accepting of new spiritual modes, this beautiful palace was constructed as a site for semi-annual symposiums and meetings on interfaith relations.

Tourists to the palace can view displays and exhibitions on the diversity of the country’s spiritual life, or (if lucky enough to visit during a lecture series) learn about interfaith attempts to bring peace to the region. The building itself is a must-see for tourists, but the cultural exchange available between Central Asia and the Western world is of even more value.

Take a Spiritual Journey through Early Islam in Traz, Kazakhstan

The small town of Traz is stuffed with architectural monuments and spiritual artifacts from the early days of the spread of Islam. Tourists are discovering sites like the three great mausoleums of Kazakhstan: Dauitbek, Babadzha-hatun, and Aisha-Bibi.

Revered by Muslims worldwide, this part of Kazakhstan is a destination of note for practicing Muslims in the region. Traz is a pilgrimage site considered just a rung or two below Mecca on the Muslim spiritual ladder. This area of the world is now popular even among non-Muslims for its blend of unspoiled natural beauty and intricate architecture. If you understand Traz, you’ll be closer to understanding the heart of the Kazakh people.

All three of these sites can be seen in as little as three or four days of travel across this soon-to-be democratic nation. Any one of them will give tourists an experience unlike anything in the rest of Asia; a trip to take in all three sites will show adventurous travelers the new face of Central Asian cultural, natural, and spiritual significance.

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