Sights of Karaganda region
With Karlag, one of the largest Gulag camps, organized during the time of mass political repressions in the USSR, this region is famous for dark tourism. You can also immerse in medieval history here at a Mausoleum of Jochi, Genghis Khan's first-born son
Karagandy province
Karaganda Province is spread from Lake Balkhash to Ulytau Mountains, having captured the vast territory of Central Kazakhstan.
Historical sites of Karaganda Province
- Karlag, one of the largest branches of the GULAG camps, where the victims of political repression were sent during Soviet period. Karlag Museum is located in the former administrative building of the Karlag camps in Dolinka village.
- Blue-domed Mausoleum of Jochi Khan, the eldest son of Genghis Khan, located in Ulytau. Other mausoleums worth visiting are the Mausoleum of Alasha Khan and Dombauyl.
- Petroglyphs of Zangyrtas and Terekty Aulie, the ancient city of Kent and Beskamyr settlement if you wish to explore earlier history of this region.
Ideal places for trekking and taking photos
The main attractions of Karaganda Province:
- Karkaraly National Park. Trekking up to the mountains through pine forest to the mystical lake Shaitankol and Basseyn, finding a Buddhist monastery in the mountains, and much more.
- An alien landscape of the Bektau Ata Mountain Range, located on the northern shore of the Lake Balkhash, is a destination for unusual photos and bouldering.
- Kyzylarai Mountains with Aksoran Peak - the highest peak of Central Kazakhstan. Stay at guesthouses, meet locals and learn about life in small villages of Kazakhstan at Shabanbai Bi village, located at the foothills of Aksoran.