Discover Kazakhstan’s Top Five Must-See Tourist Destinations for 2023
Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports Reveals Top Five Tourist Destinations for 2023
The Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently released a list of the top five tourist destinations in 2023, shedding light on the most popular places that travelers chose to visit in Kazakhstan.
The Almaty mountain cluster ranked as the top destination, with 1,728,000 tourists visiting local resort areas from January to September last year. This cluster includes the Forest Tale mountain resort in the picturesque gorge of Oi-Qaragai, the Shymbulak ski resort – recognized as the world’s highest night skiing slope in 2023, the Akbulak high mountain resort, the Tabagan ski resort, the Kok Tau ski and health resort, and others.
Following closely behind, the Mangystau region saw 299,000 tourists, securing the second place. The region is known for its stunning landscapes and desert lands, as well as various attractions such as Bozzhyra, Sherkala mount, Kapamsay canyon, the Torysh valley of balls, and historical and sacred places of Beket Ata, Shakpak Ata, and the Sultan Epe underground mosques.
The North Kazakhstan Region broke into the top three destinations with the Shchuchinsk-Burabai resort areas, which attracted 243,000 travelers. The area is known for its unique scenery, which includes pine forests, lakes, mountain ranges, cliffs, and capes.
Eastern Kazakhstan’s Alakol resort area in the Abai Region secured the fourth spot, drawing 204,000 tourists. Lake Alakol is known for its changing colors and delightful views, making it a favorite spot among locals and visitors alike.
Finally, the Balkhash region drew 94,000 travelers, as it is home to Kazakhstan’s largest lake. Lake Balkhash, with its blue and crystal-clear waters, is steeped in fascinating legend and offers breathtaking views.
Overall, Kazakhstan welcomed over 3,073,000 tourists to its resort areas in nine months of 2023, marking a 12.6% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Bureau of National Statistics.
These destinations showcase the diverse natural beauty and historical attractions that Kazakhstan has to offer, making it an attractive and growing tourism destination.
