Ustyurt National Biosphere Reserve
Kazakhstan reserves. The Biggest reserves in Kazakhstan

One of the most attractive tourist routes in the territory of the preserve is the Journey Along the Great Silk Road stretching across Mangistau region from south to north, and further to northwest, to the Ustyurt Plateau and through the Shetpinskie Gates to the Caspian coast. This is the place where the trans-ship ment of cargoes from land to sea and vice versa was performed. Revival of caravan trade facilitated development of towns (Sary- tash, Ketyk, Kabakly, Alta and Sherkala). Kabakly and Karagan wharves were actively trading with Russia until the 17 century.

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

The Usturt National Biosphere Reserve occupies a territory of 70000 ha. It is characterised by typical desert landscapes of the Turan Lowland and the Usturt Plateau. The reserve shelters many rare animals, such as: Usturt moufflon, cheetah, saigak, jeran, jackal, fox, hedgehog, and others. The sightseeing in Usturt is concentrated mainly on archaeological monuments. In old times here was the centre of different caravan routes, like the route of Horezm-Shakhs connecting Hiwa with the lower courses of the Emba and the Volga.

On it there 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. A part of them has been investigated by archaeologists, but many of them are still waiting for their explorers. There are even older monuments. Usturt is famous for its 60 Neolithic settlements. Their number is the 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 IV-V 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 in 18 km from Shetpe, Akmish area enchants tourists not only with its beauty but also with its historical sites of ancient Kizil-Kala (which stands for a 'red town' in Kazakh). Three kilometres from Akmishsay will bring tourists to the picturesque canyons Samal and Sazanbay. Hanga-Baba Tract, another attractive place, is situated in 30 km from Fort-Shevchenko. Here one can find spring water, hawthorn and blackberry bushes, mulberry , elm and poplar groves. Ancient Hanga-Baba Necropolis with a mosque is also situated here.

To the north of Kyzan, on the bank of the Dead kultuk an an cient burial place was found. It presumably dates back to the 4- 5th centuries ÂÑ . Experts admit that this discovery may provide new data on ancient peoples of the Sacae-Massaget Age who were leading nomad's life in that area.

Within a few kilometers from Akmyshsai spread the scenic Samal and Sazanbai gorges. The Akmysh area located 18 km from Shetpe attracts tourists not only with its beauty but also with historical memorials of ancient town of Kzyl-Kala

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