The park was founded in 1996 and covers more than 300,000 ha. Since 2017 it has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and since 2023 it has been part of the World Heritage site "Cold Winter Deserts of Turan".
The Singing Dune, 3 km long and about 150 m high, hums in dry, windy weather when the sand moves. The Aktau Mountains (white mountains) are multicoloured sedimentary rock where bones of an ancient brontothere were found; nearby are the Katutau volcanic mountains, up to 1630 m high. You can stay at the park's hotels in Basshi village and at the Shygan cordon.
The Singing Dune is 320 km from Almaty and 50 km from Basshi village. From Basshi it is 75 km to the Aktau Mountains and 47 km to the Katutau volcanic mountains. The park has three routes of 100, 104 and 177 km on dirt roads; excursions follow set routes with a park guide or inspector. The most convenient option is a 2-day tour with an overnight stay.
Two days in the national park: the Singing Dune, the multicoloured Aktau Mountains and a night at a guesthouse.
Five days through Zhetysu's top sights: Tamgaly-Tas petroglyphs, the Singing Dune and Aktau Mountains, Chundzha hot springs, Charyn, and lakes Kaindy and Kolsai.
The national park by jeep: Besshatyr burial mounds, a 700-year-old willow, the multicoloured Aktau and Katutau Mountains, the Singing Dune and Tamgaly-Tas petroglyphs.
Checked against official sources on 5 November 2026. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
