Aksu Canyon, Canyon in Turkistan region, Kazakhstan
Aksu Canyon is a deep gorge that stretches for 15 kilometers with vertical walls reaching depths of 500 meters as the Aksu River flows through it. The walls display sharp edges and smooth water-shaped formations that result from thousands of years of erosion.
Geographer Semen Neustruev documented the canyon's formation during his 1908 expedition, observing how water had carved different shapes into the walls. This early scientific study helped establish the site as an important location for research.
Ancient juniper trees grow on the canyon slopes and have supplied wood for regional craftsmen to create mosque columns and ornate doors over many centuries. These trees show how closely nature and human tradition are woven together in this region.
Visiting the area requires getting advance permission from the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve administration and showing proof of tourist status. It is helpful to contact local authorities beforehand to understand all the necessary steps.
The site sits within Kazakhstan's first protected area, established in 1926, which contains paleontological sites with fossils from the dinosaur period. These fossils show that the region looked very different millions of years ago.
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