Aktau is one of the dynamically developing southwestern cities of Kazakhstan. It is the center of the oil industry and the port city. Also, there are no simple streets, but numbered neighborhoods. Tourists can see interesting and unusual sights of Aktau.
Lake Saura
One of the attractions of Aktau is Lake Saura. This is a real picturesque oasis in the middle of the desert. A person can slowly walk under the shadow of rakit, which is called the Kazakhstan lilac. Saura is surrounded on three sides by sheer stone walls, which makes this natural landmark of Aktau look like a huge bowl.
This lake has swamp turtles. One of the features of Saura is the second half of the bowl, the twin lake, which is located near this oasis. You can also walk to the sea and enjoy the surf, strolling along the sandy coast.
Ustyurt State Reserve
Also, tourists are advised to visit such an attraction of Aktau as the Ustyurt State Nature Reserve. Its visitors will be able to see rare species of plants that are listed in the Red Book. It was created in 1984, was originally founded to protect the Ustyurt plateau.
Due to the diversity of the soil, unique and unusual plants grow there. Also in the reserve you can see various species of animals. There is a representative of the classes of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. Some of them are listed in the Red Book. Ustyurt State Nature Reserve is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the variety of flora and fauna of Kazakhstan.
Mount Cherkala
What can you see from the sights of Aktau? Tourists will be interested in a walk to the mountain of an unusual shape - Sherkaly. On the one hand, it looks like a large white yurt, and on the other it appears before the travelers in the form of a sleeping lion. Therefore, the mountain got its name - in translation from Turkmen it means “Lion Mountain”.
To climb the mountain on slopes that are almost gentle, you need to use special equipment. Also there you can find numerous caves in which you can find interesting things of ancient civilizations. To go around the mountain and explore the caves, you will need a lot of time. But for that you can admire beautiful and unusual views.
Museums and the Botanical Garden
Attractions of the city of Aktau include the Botanical Garden. The workers of this garden do not just take care of the plants, but are engaged in research activities. Namely, they are trying to create plants with high resistance that would be suitable for the arid Mangistau climate. Visitors can admire not only trees and bushes, but also beautiful flowers.
In Aktau, there are museums that display interesting exhibits. It is worth visiting the Museum of History and Local Lore: in it you will find collections devoted to archeology, culture and nature of this region. The museum has more than 50,000 exhibits, and the most interesting of them are presented in the halls. There are only 9 exhibition halls, and the museum itself occupies a rather vast area.
A lot of fascinating about the history of the region is presented in the expositions of the museum-reserve "Monuments of the material culture of Mangistau and Ustyurt." It differs from other museums in that it is in the open. It presents household items and cultures of different nations that once inhabited Mangistau and the Ustyurt plateau. Traveling exhibitions are also presented there, and thematic informative evenings are held.
If you are interested in contemporary art, then you should visit the Ark Gallery. There are photographs, modern paintings and objects of decorative art. The gallery holds creative workshops, fairs and international exhibitions.
City monuments
In the photo of the sights of Aktau you can see the city monuments. One of the most famous monuments is the "Caravel", which was erected in 2003. This is a copy of the ship of Christopher Columbus "Santa Maria", made of bronze. "Caravel" became a symbol of Aktau, several dozen masters worked on its creation.
To add the effect of antiquity, a patina was used to cover the monument. Established "Caravel" on the basis of a sea wave made of granite. The height of this monument is 12 meters and is one of the main city attractions.
Also a significant monument is the lighthouse, which was installed on the 50th anniversary of the seaport. Its height is 3.5 m, and a backlight is made inside it. An anchor 2.7 m high is also installed with the lighthouse. This monument is the city’s mascot.
Mountain valley
The mountain valley of Akmyshtau is one of the attractions of Aktau and Kazakhstan. It was formed due to the effects of nature. Akmyshtau is a valley that is surrounded by mountains formed as a result of weathering. Due to this, the mountains have bizarre shapes and they are of different heights. On them you can see the cave paintings.
These peaks of the Akmyshtau valley are very popular among tourists and climbers. The fanciful landscape makes this place one of the most picturesque in the vicinity of the city.
Aktau is a developing city that combines modern technology and respect for the culture and history of the region. Tourists have the opportunity to learn more about Kazakhstan and admire its picturesque views. Flora and fauna are diverse, and there is the opportunity to see unique species.
Going to this city, you should take into account that the weather is hot there, and in order to somehow green the streets, plants have to be constantly watered. Also in Aktau there are no historical buildings with unique architecture. But you can admire the skyscrapers and modern high-rise buildings. In the city, tourists can stay in comfortable hotels or recreation centers. Separately, it is worth highlighting the "Ivushka" - it is located on the seashore and there you can swim in a reservoir with mineral water.
Aktau is a modern city that cares about the conservation of natural attractions. The surroundings of the city and its picturesque views will delight tourists.