Zaisan Lake
Kazakhstan rivers and lakes. The Biggest rivers in Kazakhstan

Zaisan lake - huge freshwater reservoir, where a lot of fish is found. Its length is about 100 km, 30 km wide, the area exceeds 1800 square kilometers, depth - 8 meters. With the advent of stars in the sky, one can tuneful jingle hear a tuneful jingle, resembling humming of wires. Owing to this peculiarity the lake has another ancient name - "The lake of jingling bells" - Hut-Hutu-Nor. Due to the jingle there exists a beautiful legend about this lake.

As long as 100 years ago that territory was inhabited by herds of wild two-humped camels, Przevalsky's horses, koulans, djeiran, saigas, thousands of bustards, tigers . Now more and more often bustards, and other rare animals appear at this place.

Several interesting places are available on the lakeside:

Ashutas - picturesque lakeside with steep banks, composed of colored clays, similar to Kiin-Kerish. It is successful place for camping. The beach is available. One can swim in Zaisan lake.

Akhsuat. Fishermen village. It is a settlement with specific architecture. A peculiar subculture of "Kazakh fishermen"is formed in this settlement. The population of the village is amicable. It is possible to conduct excursions to fishermen' families.

Zaysan hollow

Zaysan hollow - a road to Kiin-Kirish.

Driving farther through south-western part of Zaysan hollow on poor asphalted road we can observe graduate transference of landscapes, flora and fauna from mountain-steppe to desert types. It is typical for this area to be inhabited by various species of larks (Alaudidae), (Oenanthe), shrike (Laniidae). Large amount of gopher (Spermophilus erithrogenus) live there, that attracts many predators such as: steppe eagle (Aquila rapax), (Buteo rufinus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), wolf (Canis lupus).

Huge deserted Zaisan hollow is located in the south-east. At the bottom of it ancient lake Zaisan is placed, the name of which is translated as "Duke". Zaisan hollow is a unique nature object with wonderful animal and vegetable life. Mirages of scorching desert, quicksands, saxaul and baby's-breath. Kazakh auls (local settlements) with centuries-old way of life and old mazars - burial places for Kazakh clans fathers...

Joint project of OrexCA.com and KTA and KAGIR. Information is taken from CD "All about tourism in Kazakhstan"