Altyn-Emel National Park

The most famous attractions of Altyn-Emel National Park are the Singing Dune, 1.5 km long and up to 130 m high; clay mountains cut by canyons - Aktau (translated as white mountains); Katutau - mountains made up of volcanic rocks; the Chokan Valikhanov spring in the Kokbastau tract. The Kosbastau tract is an oasis in the desert on the territory of the natural park. The oasis is located between the Ulken-Kalkan Mountains in the west and the Katutau Mountains in the east in an intermountain plain. The Kosbastau tract is a small turgan forest with warm radon springs. A natural monument, a 700-year-old willow, grows near the ranger cordon. The exact age of the tree was determined during an examination of the tree trunk, thick branches of the trunk and roots of the tree. The 700-year-old willow was discovered during geological work in 1960. The monument is on the list of specially protected natural areas with the status of a nature conservation and scientific institution.