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  • Asia
    • Southeast Asia
      • Brunei
      • Cambodia
        • Phnom Penh
        • Siem Reap
        • Sihanoukville
      • Indonesia
        • Bali
        • Bandung
        • Batam
        • Jakarta
        • Lombok
        • Medan
        • Surabaya
        • Yogyakarta
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        • Luang Prabang
        • Vientiane
      • Malaysia
        • Kota Kinabalu
        • Kuala Lumpur
        • Langkawi
        • Malacca | Melaka
        • Pangkor Island
        • Penang
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
        • Baguio
        • Bohol
        • Boracay
        • Cebu
        • Davao
        • Manila
        • Palawan
        • Puerto Galera
        • Puerto Princesa
        • Subic
        • Tagaytay
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
        • Bangkok
        • Chiang Mai
        • Hua Hin – Cha-am
        • Krabi
        • Pattaya
        • Phuket
        • Samui
      • Vietnam
        • Hanoi
        • Ho Chi Minh
        • Hoi An
        • Hue
        • Nha Trang
    • South Asia
      • India
        • Agra
        • Bangalore
        • Bangladesh
        • Calcutta
        • Chennai
        • Goa
        • Jaipur
        • Jodhpur
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        • New Delhi
        • Srinagar
        • Udaipur
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      • Sri Lanka
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        • Jerusalem
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        • Amman
        • Aqaba
      • Kuwait
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        • Jeddah
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        • Jeju-do
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Central Asia

The Raw Attractions of Central Asia

The Stans. A collection of rugged countries of snow and steppe that yet boast a rustic charm, this region of the world is best known for the liberal usage of the Persian “-stan” (which means “land of”) in their names, but it actually deserves to be known for more than that. Here one can find the descendants of Attila and his Huns, of the Mongol armies that invaded China, of the old Russian Empire and the Soviet Republic. This is a place where beauty and power have always been carved out in stark relief against the rawness of the land and the hardships of the nomadic way of living.

This should not confuse one into thinking that all of this region is rural or rough terrain. Indeed, there are very posh modern areas in the major cities. But the main charm of The Stans is found in its less finished locations, in the rustic attractions of the nomads that still inhabit it, and in the relentless warmth of peoples such as the Uzbeks, who always welcome tourists with a smile.

The land itself—in all its rawness—is a wonder. Only here, in Central Asia, could one discover one of the world’s best ski resorts in Chimbulak and also the very gate to hell in the burning Darvaza crater. Silk Road cities from mediaeval times abound in Turkmenistan, along with ancient fortresses left over from the Mithridatids and the Parthians. Unbelievably blue waters sit cradled in grayish-brown mountains at Band-e-Amir as a testament to the beauty of nature, and the scar of the Aral Sea sits nearby as proof of the wounds mankind can cause to that same beauty. This is a place where one can see nature in its most unapologetic forms, whether in the glory of the triumph of the disaster of defeat. In such a place, it is only natural that man would be similarly unapologetic in his way of life, and this makes The Stans terrifically irresistible to the traveler seeking a unique and unadulterated tourist experience.

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Ustiurt Preserve: One of Kazakhstan’s Leading Nature Park

October 1, 2018 By //  by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Ustiurt Preserve is a national nature park that is found in the southwestern region of the Ustiurt plateau within the Mangystau Province. The reserve is home to several rare animals such as the cheetah, gazelle, jackal, fox, ferret, and hedgehog. Other animals freely roaming and playing in the area are caracal (which hunts on hares, rodents and tiny birds), sand cat, Pallas cat, wolf, fox, corsac, weasel, steppe polecat, badger, Saiga antelope, and Ustiurt mouflon sheep. Some of the animals here have made it to Kazakhstan’s “Red Book” of endangered species, such as the Ustiurt mouflon, long-needled hedgehog, karakul lynx, Persian gazelle, short-toed eagle, Egyptian vulture, Saker falcon and golden eagle. There are 261 species of plants, 27 species of animals, 111 species of birds, 44 species of mammals, 17 species of rodents and plenty of reptiles. In 1982, people thought the cheetah and the lynx-like caracal have completely disappeared in Kazakhstan, but Ustiurt Preserve proved them wrong.

ustiurt preserve, kazakhstan
Amazing Landscapes of the Ustyurt Preserve

In addition to the rich flora and fauna, the national reserve also features a number of ancient monuments, which include Horezmhahs …

Filed Under: Kazakhstan Tagged With: kazakhstan, ustiurt preserve, ustiurt preserve kazakhstan

Naurzum Nature Reserve: UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and Biodiversity Reserve Nominee

September 30, 2018 By //  by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Naurzum (or Naurzym) Nature Reserve is one of the huge natural parks in the equally vast land area of Kazakhstan, which is referred to as the “Giant of Central Asia”. The country borders Russia, China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea. Located in Kostanay Province, this place covers coniferous forests, native pine forests and birches, specifically Kyrgyz Birch that is endemic of Kazakhstan. This kind of birch tree grows only in a small area within the area and nowhere else in the entire planet.

naurzum nature reserve, kazakhstan
Naurzum Nature Reserve

Naurzum (Naurzum State Nature Reserve) is found in the Naursumskiy and Semiozernyi districts. It is made up of dry steppes, forest …

Filed Under: Kazakhstan Tagged With: kazakhstan, naurzum nature reserve, naurzum nature reserve kazakhstan

Medeo Valley: Home of the World’s Largest Speed Skating Rink

September 29, 2018 By //  by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

International tourism is a new phenomenon for Kazakhstan, but this exciting Central Asian country is catching up quite well. It is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of the world’s deepest canyons, world-renowned nature reserves, the first and largest continuing space port, the first man and woman cosmonaut to travel in space, vast grass steppes, interesting land formations, and the world’s biggest ice stadium, Medeo Speed Skating Rink.

medeo valley, kazakhstan
Medeo Valley

The gigantic ice rink is found in the gorge of the same name. The beautiful valley of Medeo is 1,700 meters above sea level and …

Filed Under: Kazakhstan Tagged With: kazakhstan, medeo valley, medeo valley kazakhstan

Rich and Attractive Mangystau Province

September 28, 2018 By //  by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Province is called the “Treasure Peninsula” for its natural oil and gas reserves, and other raw materials such as ores and minerals. These important natural resources were discovered during the period of the Soviet Union. Drillings took place and the province was practically established on its petroleum industry. Mangystau’s total land area is 165,600 square kilometers. The Mangystau region is now considered a leading tourism and recreation area with rich cultural heritage. Kazakhstan has a relatively young tourism industry, and regions like Mangystau significantly help in promoting the country’s tourism for three important reasons.

mangystau province, kazakhstan
Mangystau Province

The first reason is the historic Silk Road. The Silk Road is the most popular trading route of ancient merchants from China, Central …

Filed Under: Kazakhstan Tagged With: kazakhstan, mangystau province, mangystau province kazakhstan

Kurgaldjino Natural Reserve: a Shelter for Pink Flamingos

September 27, 2018 By //  by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Kazakhstan is the largest and most intriguing former Soviet Union state. It is the ninth biggest nation in the world, and the largest country away from the ocean. It shares borders with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, China and the Caspian Sea. While to many tourists Kazakhstan is just a vast and empty open space, many appreciate the significance of its biodiversity. As the country is slowly and steadily gaining significance in international tourism, it boasts of its mountains, desert valleys, snowcapped peaks, canyons and nature reserves. One of its leading natural parks is Kurgaldjino Natural Reserve.

kurgaldjino natural reserve
Pink Flamingos in Kurgaldjino Natural Reserve

Located in central Kazakhstan, Kurgaldjino Natural Reserve is most popularly known for its birds, specifically pink flamingos. It is the …

Filed Under: Kazakhstan Tagged With: kazakhstan, kurgaldjino natural reserve, kurgaldjino natural reserve kazakhstan

Karaganda: Fourth Most Important City in Kazakhstan

September 26, 2018 By //  by Sarah Cruz Leave a Comment

Karaganda is the Russian name of Karagandy City, the capital of Karagandy Province in Kazakhstan. With a total population of 471,800 in January 2010, this is the fourth most populous and most important city in Kazakhstan, next to Almaty, Astana and Shymkent. It used to be the second most populous after Almaty but more than a hundred thousand residents moved to Germany. Most residents are ethnic Germans, descendants of the Soviet Volga Germans that were forcibly deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan by Stalin.

karaganda kazakhstan
Karaganda City in Kazakhstan

The name of the city was derived from the caragana bushes that thrived in the area. The city today is actually located several …

Filed Under: Kazakhstan Tagged With: karaganda, karaganda kazakhstan, kazakhstan

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