Bukhar-Zhyrau: Lakes, Nature and History

Bodies of Water and Protected Nature

Belagash Nature Reserve is located in Bukhar-Zhyrau District. Lake Botakara covers 581 ha, while the Intumak Reservoir covers 4,100 ha. The reservoir is therefore about seven times the size of the lake. This comparison provides a clear sense of the relative size of the two bodies of water.

The Nura is one of the district’s major rivers and is 110 km long. This means the area’s water features extend beyond the lake and reservoir. If you would like to make water the focus of your trip, these three different types of water bodies offer a concrete starting point for your choices. Then choose the location of your holiday rental based on the places you plan to visit.

Archaeological Traces and Historic Sites

The district has more than 60 archaeological monuments dating from the Stone Age and Bronze Age. These two periods give its historical attractions a breadth of time that goes beyond a single building.

Three named mausoleums provide specific points of interest. The Bukhar-Zhyrau Mausoleum was built in 1993 at his burial site and is located about 25 km north of the village of Shalkar, at the foot of Mount Dalba. The Alshynbay Mausoleum is located northwest of the village of Umutker; the Aimagambet-Qazhy Mausoleum is in the village of Akzhar. These distinct location details make it easier to include each mausoleum in your travel plans in relation to its own point of reference.

Two more historic attractions can be found in the district center of Botakara: the local history museum has 3,788 exhibits, and the town is also home to an Orthodox church building dating from 1909. The local attractions thus range from a museum collection to the architectural history of a dated building. For history enthusiasts, these add museum and architectural perspectives to the archaeological monuments and mausoleums.

If your family is equally interested in nature and history, choosing a shared focus can make it easier to find a holiday rental. First consider which natural or cultural sites are a priority for your trip, then compare your preferred accommodation location with the destinations you have selected.

A Further Look at the Wider Qaraghandy Destination

The wider Qaraghandy destination includes other natural attractions, including Lake Basin in Karkaraly National Park. It can only be reached on foot via the “Stone Fairy Tales” route. Check the route duration and seasonal conditions before your trip. The Three Caves are in the Maliksay tract of the same national park, about 3 km from Karkaraly. They form a small granite canyon with three entrances to the underground area, a stream and sparsely pine-covered slopes.

The settlement of Kent is another archaeological point of interest within the wider Qaraghandy destination: it is a significant Late Bronze Age site in Karkaraly District, about 6 km from the aul of Kent, in the valley of the Kyzylkenysh River. Kent is associated with the Begazy-Dandybay culture; remains of residential and utility buildings, production facilities and traces of ancient metallurgy have survived. Unlike the more than 60 archaeological monuments in Bukhar-Zhyrau District, Kent is a single, more fully described site with its own cultural affiliation. Access conditions may change; check them before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Qaraghandy, Ulytau District.

Go to the main travel overview: Qaraghandy.