Karkaralinsk
This city, located in the Central Kazakhstan (Karaganda Region), that has celebrated its 190th anniversary, has excellent prospects for the development of tourism. The unique nature of the mountain forest oasis and history of the region spark genuine interest both of people of Kazakhstan, and of foreign guests of the Republic.
A National Park was created near Karkaralinsk, which is under special state protection. The main distinctive feature of the flora of the Karkarala Park is said to be the presence of relict plants, contemporary to the Ice Age. Dozens of plants and birds species in the park are endangered and listed in the Red Book. A variety of hiking paths can take you to places, steeped in legends, such as Shaitankol Lake, Stone Chambers and prehistoric man caves.
The history of the region is just as interesting. The first Kazakhstani cosmonaut Toktar Aubakirov was born outside of Karkaralinsk (in 1995 he was awarded the title of "Halyk Kakharmany"). The city has preserved an ancient wooden mosque built by Kunanbay – the father of the Kazakh poet and enlightener Abai. Old-timers can remember their other famous countrymen – the White Army General Kornilov and the Hero of the Soviet Union, Lieutenant-General Dmitry Karbyshev.
The territory of the region has about two dozen health resorts and children's summer camps, which extend a warm welcome to their guests and offer extensive recreation programs for different seasons.
