Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve

Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, established in 1926, is the oldest nature reserve in Central Asia. It is located in the western Tian Shan mountains in southern Kazakhstan and covers an area of over 130,000 hectares. The reserve is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and protects exceptional biodiversity. The landscape is of dramatic beauty, characterized by deep gorges, such as the impressive Aksu Canyon, which is up to 500 meters deep, high mountain peaks, glaciers, and alpine meadows. Aksu-Zhabagly is particularly famous for its wild tulip species, including the rare Greig's tulip and the Kaufmann's tulip, which are considered ancestors of many garden tulips known today. In spring, they transform the mountain slopes into a colorful sea of flowers. The fauna is equally diverse, including species such as the Tian Shan brown bear, the ibex, the lynx, and the extremely rare snow leopard. The reserve gives excellent opportunities for bird watching, hiking, and exploring the unique flora and fauna of Central Asia.

Nearby cities

Shaydon

Shaydon is the administrative center of the Asht District and is surrounded by extensive apricot orchards.

Angren

Center of coal mining and the energy industry in the Tashkent region.

Beldersay

A well-known mountain resort famous for the region's longest chairlift and great powder snow.

Amirsoy

The most modern all-season mountain resort in Uzbekistan, featuring world-class infrastructure.

Konibodom

Konibodom in the Fergana Valley is often referred to as the city of almonds due to its extensive orchards.

Nature

Chatkal River

The wild Chatkal River has carved deep, breathtaking gorges into the mountains of the western Tien Shan.

Charvak Reservoir

A popular recreation area near Tashkent, formed by the Charvak Dam on the Chatkal River.

More places

Otrar Ruins

The archaeological remains of a once-thriving oasis city on the Silk Road that was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century.

Arystan Bab Mausoleum

A revered pilgrimage site and tomb of a Sufi mystic who, according to legend, was the teacher of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

An unfinished architectural masterpiece from the Timurid era, considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Central Asia.

Turkistan Cotton Fields

Grown in the warm south, this white gold is an important economic engine of regional agriculture.

Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve

The oldest nature reserve in Central Asia protects rare snow leopards and pristine flora.

Mount Beshtor

A massive mountain giant in Uzbekistan, majestically towering over the northeastern valleys and bearing permanent snow.

Maidantal Range

A northern mountain section in the Tian Shan, known for its harsh climatic conditions and wide alpine meadows.

Pskem Range

A remote and inaccessible mountain massif known for its pristine alpine nature and eternal snow.