Kazakhstan’s steppe includes dry grasslands that reach thousands of miles from Hungary to China. In days past, caravans passed through the Silk Road via the Tian Shan Mountains. Genghis Khan’s Mongol Empire conquered most of the steppe. But Kazakhstan is not just grassy plains. Today, there are many treasures to uncover in this vast land, which is experiencing astonishing boom times from petroleum.

Adventures | Must Sees | Food

ADVENTURES

Sunken Forest

Lake Kaindy’s eerie trees are submerged in beautiful turquoise water

Charyn Canyon

The Grand Canyon’s “Mini-Me” is doing its own thing in a valley of rock formations

MUST SEES

Steppe

The Steppe are the grasslands, savannas, and shrublands that stretch from China all the way to Romania and Hungary. It is the main overland passage connecting Europe and Asia.

Almaty

Modern Almaty has been dubbed a millennial city where you can have a fun night out. In the middle of a building boom, they are constructing wedding halls on the outskirts, tall skyscrapers in the center, and fancy auto dealerships.

Zenkov Cathedral

Zenkov Cathedral is at the center of Panfilov Park next to a square full of pigeons and little children driving toy cars. The church has fanciful colors with yellow exterior walls, green rooftops, blue and green diamonds on the onion domes, and golden spires.

Poppy Fields

After you cross the border with Kyrgyzstan, you enter the Great Steppe’s grasslands and poppy fields. The Tian Shan Mountains appear in the background to the north and south.

WWII Memorial

Issyk Kul Lake’s water flows from the snow-capped Tian Shan Mountains. There are big rocks by the brown sand at the waterline. Just jump right in. The clear water is extremely cold. Quickly get out when you’ve had enough.

FOOD

Kuyrdak

Kuyrdak is a plate of tender chunks of lamb on the bone, roasted potatoes, and raw onions.

Kurut

Kurut is dry salty cheese made from fermented milk and shaped into balls until hard.

Samsa

Samsa is a warm pastry fresh from a tandoor oven with meat and onions in a big, flaky, bread pocket. 

Shashlyk

A grilled meat skewer with flatbread, raw onions, and sauce. The meat is tender and smoky.