10 Most Beautiful Lakes Worth Seeing In Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a magical nation with a fascinating history, breathtaking landscapes, and a population that is as warm and welcoming as the nation itself. As of the early 2000s, Kazakhstan was home to the world’s largest oil fields. In addition to this, the country also possesses a great deal of gold, copper, asbestos, and coal deposits. As a result, about 80% of Kazakhstan’s entire budget is made up by oil and gas revenues.

The population of Kazakhstan is more than 19 million (2021), most of whom live in the capital city of Astana. The capital city is the largest in Kazakhstan and has a population of around 1,212,000 (2021). It is landlocked and borders China, Russia, and the Caspian Sea.

Kazakhstan is home to more than 48,000 lakes. In the summer, the lakes are usually filled with swans, cygnets, and other water birds. However, if you visit Kazakhstan outside the summer, you can also see Red-breasted geese, Capercaillies, and falcons. In winter, these lakes freeze over and become a beautiful winter landscape.

Lakes are an integral part of Kazakhstan’s history, culture, and geography. This fact is demonstrated in various places in the country, such as the lake district in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan; the Mangan-Tau lakes in the northern part of the country; and the lakes in the south, which originate from the melting of glaciers in the Alatau Mountains.

Whether you want to see the country’s rich tradition of horse breeding, visit a Persian carpet museum, see the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Almaty and Aqtobe, or visit the world’s 10 Most Beautiful Lakes In Kazakhstan.

1. Lake Balkhash; Kazakhstan

Lake Balkhash is located in the Central Asian region of Kazakhstan. It is also called the “Third Most Volcanic lake” in the world. It’s an ancient lake but is still used as a water reservoir.

It is one of the largest natural lakes in the world. The Lake is also considered the fourth deepest Lake in the world, with a depth of 889 m. It is the second-largest Lake in Kazakhstan. It is also the second deepest Lake in the world.

While the Lake is famous for its clear blue waters and rich biodiversity, the region also offers various other activities and experiences, including mountain biking, horse-riding, rafting, and skiing.

If you want to plan the best time to visit Lake Balkhash, the most important thing to bear in mind is that the Lake is best known as a summer destination. As a result, the best time to visit the Lake is in the summer. The Lake is not only a popular destination for summertime activities but is also a popular place for travelers to spend the holidays.

2. Caspian Sea; Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Western Asia

The Caspian Sea is the name given to the two shallow lakes, the Kaspiyskoye and the Vilyuy, which lie on the border between Russia and Kazakhstan in Central Asia. The Caspian is the world’s largest body of freshwater.

The Caspian Sea is an inland sea in Central Asia, formed by combining the rivers flowing into the Aral Sea and the Volga River, which flows into it. The Caspian is bordered by five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran.

The Caspian Sea is the largest Lake in the world and the largest saltwater lake in the world at around 9,000 km². The Caspian is the second largest Lake in the world after the inland sea of Lake Baikal. The Caspian is the fourth largest Lake in the world, after the Great Lakes of North America, Europe, and Africa. It has its own set of unique animals and plants as well as its own history.

3. Lake Kaindy; Kazakhstan

Lake Kaindy is the largest and most spectacular Lake on the Eurasian continent; it is the deepest Lake in the world. Its highest point is 834 m above sea level, and the Lake is located in the alpine area of the Tian Shan range in the southeast of Kazakhstan. Lake Kaindy is situated at an altitude of 3,025 meters above sea level.

The history of Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan, stretches back thousands of years when the area was a prehistoric lake, which was subsequently flooded by an earth crust in a canyon thousands of years ago. The local inhabitants used the Lake as a source for fish, agriculture, and drinking water until it dried up during the last ice age.

At an elevation of over 3,500 meters above sea level, you can see the Lake from a bird’s eye view, and several hiking routes lead to the Lake. Lake Kaindy is also a popular fishing spot, and you can see locals fishing using a variety of methods.

4. Lake Alakol; Almaty and East Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan

Lake Alakol is situated in the east-central part of Kazakhstan at an altitude of 466 meters above sea level. It is the largest Lake in Central Asia and the world’s tenth-largest salt lake. The area of the Lake is more than 32000 square kilometers. Lake Alakol almost completely freezes during winter. The average annual temperature of the water is -3°C. The Lake freezes from November to February every year.

At a glance, Lake Alakol looks like a typical lake. However, upon closer inspection, a surprising discovery can be made. The Lake is not that of a lake at all. It is actually a massive crater that’s been filled with water. This is a common occurrence in (Siberia); however, this is the giant crater of its kind on Earth.

Lake Alakol is a great place to go boating, fish, and hike. It is a popular destination for tourists coming from China, Russia, and other countries. Lake Alakol has the deepest Lake in Central Asia, with a maximum depth of 762 meters. The Lake is surrounded by steep, rugged mountains, making it a popular spot for climbers. There are also many pristine lakes to explore in the nearby mountains, which are much more beautiful than the Lake itself.

5. Lake Tengiz; Kazakhstan

Lake Tengiz is one of the largest artificial lakes globally and the largest in Central Asia. It is located in the west of the country, in the Tengiz and South Kazakhstan regions. It is a large, natural, saline lake that was formed 10,000 years ago. Its waters cover an area of about 87,000 square kilometers, and its depth is up to 5,890 meters.

Lake Tengiz has a ton of history. It’s been an essential part of the history of Kazakhstan and the history of the entire country. In fact, it’s the only Lake where the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union fought a war. It’s also the only Lake that was put on the UNESCO world heritage list.

In Lake Tengiz, Kazakhstan, the land was formed from the warming of a volcanic crater, making this Lake the deepest in the world. The Lake is a world heritage site and a popular tourist attraction. The Lake is the largest in Kazakhstan and the ninth-largest in the world.

6. Lake Zaysan; Kazakhstan

Lake Zaysan is a desert lake in Kazakhstan. The Lake is the deepest Lake in Central Asia and has an area of about 260 km². The Lake is located in the Tien-Shan mountain range in the South-East of the Zhambyl Province, about 40 km from Turkmenistan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. The Lake has a maximum depth of 660 m and a maximum width of about 12 km. It is fed by an underground river known as the Zaysan River, which is about 5 km long and goes through the Zaysan cave. The deepest cave of the lake system is the Zaysan cave which is about 50 m deep. The Lake is popular among tourists because of its beauty and abundance of nature.

7. Lake Issyk; Kazakhstan

Lake Issyk is the second-largest freshwater Lake in Eurasia after Lake Baikal in Russia. The Lake is located between the Kyrgyz and Chinese borders on a high plateau at an altitude of 3,700 m (12,398 ft) in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Lake Issyk can be found in the territory of Kyrgyzstan, in the north of Asia. It is a gem in the heart of the mountains. The Lake lies at an altitude of 3,000 feet and is surrounded by formidable peaks; and it is an extinct crater lake, which is now a reservoir. The Lake’s water was originally a spring that flowed into a lake formed from volcanic activity in the distant past. The Lake is colorless with a turquoise shade and is one of the very few lakes in Central Asia that has no fish in its water.

8. Lake Chagan; Kazakhstan

Lake Chagan (also known as Lake Chagan-Ili) is a lake situated at an altitude of 6,300 ft (2,000 m) above sea level in the Almaty Province of Kazakhstan, near the town of Chagan. The Lake has an area of 4.5 square kilometers (1.8 sq mi) and lies at a maximum elevation of 6,300 ft (2,000 m). The Lake lies at a higher elevation than both Lake Balkhash and Lake Issyk-Kul but is 2–3 times smaller in area.

As a result, the Lake’s water is clean and clear, and it is significant for the economy of Almaty, the country’s largest city. Lake Chagan is a popular summer destination for tourists and locals alike, with its scenic beauty rivaled only by its crystal clear waters and calm, peaceful atmosphere.

If you are looking for some fantastic things to do while in the mountains of Kazakhstan, you will be in luck. The mountain lake Chagan is not only a natural wonder that is surrounded by mountains but also a very peaceful and serene place. It is a great place to go for a swim, have a picnic or just relax.

9. Barsakelmes Lake; Kazakhstan

Barsakelmes Lake located in the south of Kazakhstan. The Lake is situated in the southeast of the country, south of the Almaty region, and southwest of the Taraz region. The Lake is about 50 km long and 20 km wide. The Lake is tectonically active. It is a broken and fractured lake. It is a vast caldera. The Lake was formed during the Tertiary period. It is the lowest point in the Lake. It is a part of the Korgon-Karaganda volcanic system.

The history of the location contains both natural and human history. It survived the Krasnobor forest fires in 1940, and as a result, it is called the 1st national park of the former Soviet Union. In 1958 the first dam was built on Barsakelmes lake. After that, the Lake was studied as a reservoir for purification purposes. The first Soviet developer, D.I. Khudyakov (1910-1986) suggested the idea of creating a nuclear power station. The first plan was approved in 1970, a plant was built in 1975, and the first phase started in 1978. The whole park was created in 1980.

It is a perfect place for water sports and fishing. One of the most visited areas is the Yertyt River beaches. In addition to water sports, barsakelmes Lake offers a lot of interesting places, including a high hill in the middle of the Lake, a fortress built in the 19th century, a castle from the 18th century, and the Museum of local history.

10. Lake Sasykkol; Kazakhstan

Lake Sasykkol is a beautiful lake located at the foot of the Almaty High Alps range in Kazakhstan. It is located at the height of 2,370 meters (7,878 feet) in the Almaty Region at a distance of 43 km (26 miles) from Almaty. The Lake is one of the largest alpine lakes in the country and is nestled amongst the mountains, surrounded by the Almaty High Alps. The Lake is fed by the Sasykkol River and sits at a relatively high altitude due to the underground waters of the Sasykkol Glacier.

Lake Sasykkol is a wonderfully beautiful area in the Almaty province of Kazakhstan. It’s a place where you can enjoy the great outdoors and the culture of the Kazakh people. Its surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes, and the locals are very welcoming.