The West Kazakhstan Region is a place where Europe and Asia meet not only geographically, but also in culture, history, and way of life. People have lived here since ancient times, and today the region’s archaeological sites, ancient settlements, burial mounds, and mausoleums still preserve the memory of past civilizations and major historical events.

Yet the region is remarkable not only for its history. The Ural River – considered the natural boundary between Europe and Asia – flows through these lands. Green floodplain meadows and small forest groves gradually give way to dry steppes and semi-deserts.

In this guide, we have collected some of the most interesting attractions of the West Kazakhstan Region. For more information about places to visit in the regional capital, see the separate article, “A Guide to Must-Visit Attractions in Uralsk.”

Khan Ordasy Village and the Bokey Ordasy Historical Complex

In the first half of the 19th century, the lands between the Volga River and the Ural River were home to the Bokey Horde – a semi-autonomous Kazakh khanate that existed within the Russian Empire. Here, some of the first institutions in Kazakh history appeared, including a treasury, an armory, a hospital, a school, and even a printing house. It was a remarkable breakthrough for the nomadic society of that era.

Today, the village of Khan Ordasy and the Bokey Ordasy Historical Complex stand on the site of the former khan’s headquarters. The main attraction of the complex is the palace of Jangir Khan – the only khan’s palace preserved in Kazakhstan. Inside, visitors can see reconstructed chambers of the khan and his wife, learn about the daily life of the 19th-century Kazakh elite, and explore exhibitions dedicated to the history of the Bokey Horde. The complex also includes several museums, a historic mosque, and the nearby mausoleum of Jangir Khan.

Natural Wonders

In the West Kazakhstan Region, salt lakes with sandy beaches coexist with chalk hills, sand dunes, and rare forested areas. Many natural attractions lie far from large towns and cities, making them especially appealing for those seeking solitude and untouched nature.

Lake Shalkar

About 75 km (47 mi) south of Uralsk lies Lake Shalkar – the largest and deepest lake in the West Kazakhstan Region. The lake is known for its fine sandy beaches and gently sloping shoreline. Most visitors prefer the southern coast near the village of Saryomir. During the summer season, yurts and shaded awnings are set up here to protect visitors from the sun, as there are no trees around the lake.

Lake Shalkar is popular not only among beachgoers, but also among fishermen. Its waters are home to bream, Caspian roach, pike, carp, perch, and crucian carp.

Lake Aljan Sor

Around 25 km (15 mi) south of Lake Shalkar lies the small salt lake Aljan Sor, known for its therapeutic mud and highly mineralized water.

The local mud is used in treatments for skin diseases, joint problems, and general wellness therapies.

Mount Eshki Tau

Mount Eshki Tau is the highest point in the West Kazakhstan Region, rising to 259 meters (850 ft) above sea level. While this may not seem impressive compared to major mountain ranges, in the steppe landscapes even such a height stands out on the horizon.

Travelers come here for panoramic views of the surrounding steppe, walks through the aspen grove growing on the mountainside, and picturesque meadows that bloom with greenery in spring.

The mountain is located about 16 km (10 mi) north of the village of Taskala (formerly Kamenka) and approximately 97 km (60 mi) from Uralsk. Eshki Tau is a specially protected natural area, so visitors must obtain permission before entering the territory.

Mount Aidarly

Mount Aidarly, located in the Burlinsky District, attracts visitors not only with its landscapes, but also with its unusual geology. Beneath the surface lie chalk and limestone deposits formed into salt domes.

The area is home to several rare and endangered plant species. History enthusiasts will also find plenty to explore here. Ancient burial mounds and traditional kulpytases (stone tombstones) can be seen around the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain flows a spring that locals call the “Source of Longevity.”

Akkum Sand Valley

In the Chingirlau District, east of Uralsk, lies the Akkum Sand Valley – a remote destination popular among ecotourism enthusiasts. Infrastructure here is almost nonexistent, but for many travelers this isolation is part of the attraction.

Akkum is best known for its dunes of fine sand. In some places, the landscape resembles a real desert.

The desert is interesting not only for its scenery. Archaeological discoveries suggest that an ancient city may have stood here in the 10th-11th centuries.

Sarkyrama Waterfall (Kyz Aulie)

Sarkyrama Waterfall, also known as Kyz Aulie, is located in the Chingirlau District near the village of Aksuat. Although the waterfall is only about 1.5 meters (3 ft) high, it has become a popular natural attraction among locals. Surrounded by sand dunes and sparse woodland, Sarkyrama creates an unusual landscape.

Museums and Archaeological Sites

The West Kazakhstan Region is rich in historical and cultural heritage. Here, travelers can explore traces of ancient nomadic civilizations, sites connected with the Golden Horde, and museums dedicated to Civil War heroes, national figures, and prominent representatives of Kazakh culture.

Jaiyk Settlement

Just 12 km (7 mi) south of Uralsk lies the archaeological site of the medieval Jaiyk Settlement. It dates back to the 13th-14th centuries, when the territory of present-day western Kazakhstan was part of the Golden Horde.

Archaeological excavations uncovered workshops, bathhouses, brick residential buildings, and mausoleums, revealing that Jaiyk was once a well-developed urban center. Today, visitors can walk through the excavation area and clearly see the layout of the streets.

About two kilometers (1.2 mi) from the settlement lies an ancient necropolis, where the remains of domed mausoleums decorated with colorful glazed tiles have survived.

Vasily Chapayev Museum

Around 125 km (78 mi) south of Uralsk lies the village of Chapaev, closely connected with the events of the Russian Civil War.

The war was fought between the “Reds” – the Bolsheviks, who sought to establish a communist state, and the “Whites” – an alliance of anti-Bolshevik forces. One of the most famous Red Army commanders was Vasily Chapayev, who later became a legendary figure in Soviet history through books, films, monuments, and popular folklore.

Here, in the village that now bears his name, Chapayev fought his final battle against White Army forces in 1919.

The memory of the commander is preserved in the Vasily Chapayev Museum. The museum is housed in a historic building constructed by the merchant Manjukov in 1854. In August 1919, the building served as the headquarters of Chapayev’s 25th Rifle Division.

Today, the museum displays Civil War weapons, reconstructed offices of political workers and military staff, Chapayev’s desk and personal belongings. The museum complex also includes a memorial stele at the presumed site of Chapayev’s death and a mass grave of Red Army soldiers killed in battle with the Ural Cossacks in 1919.

Address: 36 Kunayev Street, Chapaev Village.

Dina Nurpeisova Museum of Art History

In the village of Zhangala (also known as Zhanakala) stands the Dina Nurpeisova Museum of Art History, dedicated to the legendary Kazakh dombra player, composer, and performer Dina Nurpeisova.

Born near Zhangala, Dina Nurpeisova became one of the most influential figures in Kazakh musical culture. She played an important role in preserving and developing the traditional art of kyui (instrumental musical compositions performed on the dombra).

The museum displays Dina Nurpeisova’s personal belongings, photographs, documents, and a reconstructed version of her traditional camisole. Visitors can also learn about other famous kyui composers and musicians born in the Zhangala district.

Mounds and Mausoleums

In the West Kazakhstan Region, travelers can visit ancient Saka burial mounds, pilgrimage sites, and mausoleums dedicated to people who left a significant mark on Kazakhstan’s history.

The Taksay Mound Complex and the Taksay Princess Mausoleum

About 65 km (40 mi) east of Uralsk, near the village of Dolinnoye, lies the Taksay Mound Complex and the Taksay Princess Mausoleum.

In 2012, archaeologists discovered Saka and Sarmatian burial mounds here dating back to approximately the 5th century BC. One of the burials contained the remains of a woman dressed in a luxurious outfit embroidered with gold plaques and wearing a tall ceremonial headdress. The noblewoman became known as Altyn Khanshayim or the Taksay Princess.

The discovery became one of the most important archaeological finds in Kazakhstan in recent decades. Today, a mausoleum and memorial complex dedicated to the Taksay Princess stand on the site.

Jumagazy Khazret Mausoleum (Dadem Ata Mausoleum)

About 73 km (45 mi) southeast of Uralsk, along the highway toward Aktobe, stands the Jumagazy Khazret Mausoleum, also known as the Dadem Ata Mausoleum.

Jumagazy Khazret was a respected 19th-century theologian and religious scholar. In his youth, he studied in Turkistan near the famous Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Later, he returned to western Kazakhstan, where he preached Islam and became widely respected among the local population.

Some locals regard him as a saint, believing he could heal illnesses, strengthen faith, and guide people spiritually. Today, the mausoleum remains an important pilgrimage site visited by people from across western Kazakhstan and other regions of the country.

Gumar Karash Mausoleum

Near the village of Borsy in the Janibek District, close to the Kazakhstan-Russia border, stands the Gumar Karash Mausoleum. Gumar Karash was a poet, educator, journalist, and public figure. He supported the development of national education, and published one of the first newspapers in the history of Kazakhstan. He also encouraged Kazakhs to pursue education, learn professions, and adopt new forms of economic activity.

His life ended tragically in 1921, when he was killed by bandits during the turbulent post-revolutionary years. Today, the mausoleum commemorates the man who made a major contribution to Kazakh culture, education, journalism, and social thought.