Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve

South Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan

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Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, located in southern Kazakhstan in the western Tien Shan Mountains, is the oldest nature reserve in Central Asia, having been established in 1926.

The reserve protects a diverse mountain landscape of deep canyons, alpine meadows, rivers, glaciers, and high peaks, including the spectacular Aksu Canyon. The reserve is renowned for its rich biodiversity, with more than a thousand plant species and many rare animals, including snow leopards, brown bears, ibex, and hundreds of bird species. It is especially famous in spring when colorful wild tulips, believed to be among the ancestors of modern cultivated tulips, bloom across the hillsides.

A major center for conservation, research, and ecotourism, Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve is one of Kazakhstan’s most important protected areas. Its outstanding natural beauty, wildlife, and unique mountain ecosystems make it a premier destination for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts.