Ustyurt National Biosphere Reserve

Kazakhstan reserves. The Biggest reserves in Kazakhstan

One of the most fascinating tourist routes in the preserve is the Journey Along the Great Silk Road, stretching across Mangistau region from south to north, continuing further to the northwest, to the Ustyurt Plateau and through the Shetpinskie Gates to the Caspian coast. This is a place where the transfer of cargoe from land to sea and vice versa was performed. The revival of caravan trade facilitated the development of towns (Sarytash, Ketyk, Kabakly, Alta and Sherkala). The ports of Kabakly and Karagan were actively trading with Russia until the 17th century.

Mangistau Region has several preserved areas. One of these is the Ustyurt National Biosphere Preserve. Its area of 70,000 hectares is a secure habitat for many rare animals, including: Ustyurt moufflon, saiga, jeiran, jackal, fox, long-quilled hedgehog, pole cat and others. According to locals, the Kaplankyr Natural Preserve is home to cheetah. Other national zoological preserves - the Aktau-Buzachi and Karagie-Karakol, also are home to a variety of animals.

Sightseeing in Ustyurt is concentrated mainly on archaeological monuments. In ancient times, this was the crossroads of several different caravan routes, such as the route of the Horezm-Sheikhs connecting Khiva with the lower reaches of the Emba and the Volga.

Along it lay the ancient town of Shahr-i-Wazir, the caravan station of Beleuli and the Allan Fortress. Ancient graveyards with majestic mausoleums are scattered everywhere on the plateau. Many of them have been investigated by archaeologists, but many of them are still waiting for their exhumation. There are even older monuments. Ustyurt is famous for its 60 Neolithic settlements. Their concentration is greatest in the vicinity of Manat and Karinzharik.

Archeological Monuments
Ancient burial sites were found to the north of Kizan, on the bank of the Dead Kultuk. They go back as far as the 4th and 5th centuries BC. Experts acknowledge that this discovery may convey new data about ancient peoples of the Sako-Massaget period, who used to live in this area.

Situated 18 km from Shetpe, the Akmish area thrills travelers with its beauty and the impressive historical sites of ancient Kizil-Kala (which stands for a 'red town' in Kazakh) A three kilometer drive from Akmishsay will bring travelers to the picturesque canyons Samal and Sazanbay. Hanga-Baba Tract, another attractive spot, is situated 30 km from Fort Shevchenko. Here one can find spring water, hawthorn and blackberry bushes, mulberry, and elm and poplar groves. Ancient Hanga-Baba Necropolis, including a mosque, is also situated here.

To the north of Kyzan, on the banks of the Dead kultuk, an ancient graveyard has been found. It presumably dates back to the 4th - 5th centuries ВС. Experts speculate that this discovery may provide new data on the ancient peoples of the Sacae-Massaget Age, who lived nomadically in that area.

Within a few kilometers of Akmyshsai run the scenic Samal and Sazanbai gorges. The Akmysh area, located 18 km from Shetpe, draws in visitors to the historical memorials of the ancient town of Kzyl-Kala