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Kok Zhailau plateau (Kok Zhailau plateau)

Kok-Zhaylyau, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Kok Zhailau (Kazakh means 'summer meadow as blue as the sky') is a plateau in the territory of Bang Ile-Alatau National Park located at an altitude of 2251.2 meters above sea level. Located between the Small and Large Almaty Gorges, 10km from the city of Almaty, this area was once a vast grassland for wildlife, today it has become an ideal destination for nature lovers. . From the plateau, you can enjoy views of famous sights such as the ski resort of Shymbulak, Medeu, and the great Almaty peak.

Stretching between the Small and Large Almaty Gorges, the Kok Zhailau Plateau within the Ile-Alatau National Park is home to hundreds of rare species of flora and fauna. The plateau is 10km southeast of Almaty city center and lies at an altitude of 1,600-2,200 meters above sea level. This area was once a large grassland for wildlife, today has become an ideal destination for those who love nature and outdoor activities.

Kok Zhailau Plateau is home to an extremely rich and diverse flora and fauna. There are 145 species of butterflies (notably Parnassius apollo, Tien-Shan, Mountain Apollo, Karanasa dublitzkyi carnase, Karins dublitzkyi), 252 species of bugs, 110 species of bees, 97 species of wasps and 33 species of ants. There are also 105 rare bird species including black stork, dwarf eagle, golden eagle, eagle owl, peregrine falcon and others. Mammals include Tien Shan shrew, red pika, gray cat, Tien Shan rat, mountain goat, giraffe, wild boar, fox and squirrel. Among them, there are endangered animals including Tien Shan brown bear, marten rock, Central Asian river otter, Turkestan lynx, Indian porcupine and snow leopard. The plateau is also home to a number of rare plant species, the tulips of Ostrovsky and Zinaida, the saffron Alatava (Crocus alatavicus), as well as medicinal and spice plants (oregano, mint and some rare species). other).

Today, the Kok-Zhailau plateau is a popular tourist attraction of Almaty with its pristine beauty. Here, visitors can participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing and horseback riding. It is the only accessible area in the Ile-Alatau National Park. To climb to the top of Kok-Zhaylau, you need to go up at the northern headwaters of the gorge. There are many popular trekking routes for those who love adventure and adventure.

Ecotourism is a type and trend that is very developed here, especially can be combined with other purposes such as: ecotourism combined with scientific research, excursions to learn about flora, tourism Travel through videos and photos, travel to learn about local culture…

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Nearby attractions

Big Almaty Lake (Big Almaty Lake)

Located 15km south of Almaty city center and at 2,511 meters above sea level, the Great Lake Almaty is the main source of water for Almaty residents. Like most lakes in the Tien Shan mountains, the lake was formed after natural earthquakes. Located not too far from Almaty city center, this natural lake gives visitors a very special feeling, far from urban life. The scenery here is beautiful, changing with the seasons of the year, which makes it one of the famous destinations of Kazakhstan.

Kok Zhailau plateau (Kok Zhailau plateau)

Shymbulak Ski Resort (Shymbulak Ski Resort)

Shymbulak is a ski resort near Almaty. It is the largest ski resort in Central Asia, about 25 km south of Almaty along Medeo Road. Located in the Medeu valley in the Zailiisky Alatau mountain range, at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level, Shymbulak is famous for its mild climate, abundant number of sunny days and large amount of snow during winter (from November to November). to May). Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the scenery of majestic mountains with snow-covered slopes.

Ile-Alatau National Park (Ile-Alatau National Park)

Established in 1996 with an area of 200,000 hectares, Ile-Alatau National Park is one of the top destinations for nature lovers. Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the majestic and vast natural landscape including forests, alpine meadows, rivers and lakes, including the great lake Almaty. In addition, Ile-Alatau National Park is also home to more than 300 species of birds and mammals, including many rare species such as snow leopards, Central Asian lynx, Tian Shan brown bears, bearded vultures, giants golden eagle, Himalayan snowbird, conifer, Eurasian owl and Eurasian three-toed woodpecker.