The "Valley of Castles" of the Charyn Canyon is over 150 km, and its age is about 12 million years, according to the most conservative estimates of scientists. In ancient times, the unique gorge was the bottom of Lake Ili, which the river Charyn now reminds us of, which flows through the canyon. It is not inferior to the Grand Canyon in the United States, since there are sheer cliffs 150-300 m high and 200 m deep. During the season, its turbulent waters form a powerful current, life-threatening even for experienced swimmers. The canyons of Almaty are not the only attraction that the Charyn National Park can boast of. It is also worth noting here the Ash Grove in the Sarytogay tract - a UNESCO monument, which in antiquity competed only with the forests of the United States.

Kaiyndy is translated from Kazakh as "birch grove". The reservoir got its name due to the abundance of birch trees, which, like silent guards, guard the passage in the gorge to its banks. When exactly Lake Kaindy arose, scientists are still arguing. Whether this happened in 1911, 1938 or 1978 is unknown, but the reason is indisputable: as a result of the earthquake, a collapse occurred that blocked the riverbed, flooding the valley with water. In the end, the whole forest was flooded. The bare tops of the fir trees now stick out gloomily from the surface. Meanwhile, small branches with needles are perfectly preserved under the turquoise surface, creating a surreal scene. Kaindy is not the most famous spot in the Kolsai reserve, but that is its charm: the mysterious world of the mountain lake is still untouched by too many tourists.