Charyn Canyon, Natural canyon in Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
Charyn is a canyon in Almaty Region that stretches about 80 kilometers through rust-red sandstone formations. The walls rise up to 300 meters high and form narrow passages as well as open sections with rock towers.
The Charyn River began cutting through the rock layers about 12 million years ago and shaped the present gorge. Erosion by wind and water continues and slowly changes the shapes of the sandstone towers.
Scattered ash groves grow in the lower sections between the rock walls, forming a narrow green ribbon along the watercourse. Visitors often walk among these trees as they follow the trails that wind through the gorge.
The drive from central Almaty takes about four hours along paved roads to the entrance. Walking trails lead from the upper rim down to the riverbed, where shaded spots between the rocks offer places to rest.
The red layers in the rock alternate with lighter bands that look like folded curtains in certain spots. Some rock walls carry traces of old inscriptions left by travelers centuries ago.
Part of: Charyn National Park
GPS coordinates: 43.36194,79.09056
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:32
Kazakhstan stretches across an impressive variety of landscapes, from high mountains to vast steppes, from hidden mountain lakes to wide desert plains. The country protects numerous natural areas that show these differences and allow visitors to experience places that remain little changed. In the national parks and reserves, you can walk through forests, stand by quiet lakes, or explore canyons shaped over thousands of years. Among the most visited are Charyn Canyon with its red rock walls, Burabay National Park with its pine forests and granite boulders, and Big Almaty Lake, which sits in a narrow valley at over 2500 meters elevation. Kaindy Lake is known for its submerged trees, their trunks still rising from the water. In the southern regions you find Aksu-Zhabagly, the country's oldest nature reserve, while in the east Mount Belukha, the highest peak of the Altai range, stands on the border with Russia. Each of these places offers its own picture of what nature looks like in this part of Central Asia.
Almaty State Nature Reserve
142.8 km
Altyn-Emel National Park
74.8 km
Natural Monument «Singing barchans»
70.3 km
Kapchagay Reservoir
139.1 km
Issyk kurgan
119.2 km
Kolsay Lakes National Park
73.6 km
Charyn National Park
2.1 km
Assy-Turgen Observatory
100 km
Zharkent mosque
115.3 km
Bartogay Lake
47.8 km
Bear falls
111.7 km
Gedenktafel an die Bezwingung des Khanats der Dsungaren
122.7 km
Кырчын
141.2 km
Holy Trinity Church, Karakol
112.5 km
Natural Monument "Charyn ash forest"
33.4 km
Karakol Dungan Mosque
111.9 km
Свято-Троицкий Иссык-Кульский монастырь
96.5 km
Pik Karakol
141.9 km
Przhevalsky Museum
107.9 km
Lednik Semjonova
136.1 km
Almaty State Complex Nature Sanctuary
80.7 km
Pik Nansena
142.1 km
Kairak falls
111.8 km
Oshaktas Monument
119.8 km
Peshchera Akchunkur
111.7 km
Singing dune
69.7 km
Esik arboretum
133.1 km
Шоқан Уәлихановтың мемориялдық музейі
119.4 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes