Introducing Eastern Kazakhstan

Ust-Kamenogorsk, a relatively prosperous regional capital, is the gateway to the Altay Mountains – one of the most beautiful corners of Kazakhstan but one for which you need to plan ahead because a border-zone permit is required.

The region’s other main city, Semey, is one of Kazakhstan’s most historically interesting places but suffers from the effects of Soviet nuclear testing in the nearby Semipalatinsk Polygon.