Lake Burabay

Introducing Lake Burabay

Situated 250km north of Astana, the Burabay area has been termed the ‘Kazakh Switzerland’, although the mountains qualify only as steep hills. The dense pine woods, strange rock formations and scattered lakes, however, are in stark contrast to the surrounding flat steppe. Apart from being a nice place to relax, Burabay is good for hiking, rock climbing or cross-country skiing in winter. Things might change, however: under government plans announced in 2006, Burabay is due to become one of two towns where all Kazakhstan’s casinos are to be concentrated (the other is Kapshagay).

The gateway to the lake district is the tongue-twister town of Shchuchinsk. Lake Burabay is 20km north, with the village of Burabay (Russian: Borovoe) on its eastern shore. Here you’ll find a rustic Nature Museum (Kenesary; admission 120T; 10am-6.30pm Tue-Sun), 1km south of the central taxi stand, with a small zoo housing two Przewalski’s horses, a pair of huge maral deer, and a few bears and wolves in pitifully small cages. At the north end of the village the Burabay National Park begins at a road barrier marked Sanatori Borovoe. From here it’s a pleasant 3.6km walk along the north-shore road to Okzhetpes, a striking 380m-tall rock pile between the lake and the tallest peak hereabouts, the 947m Kokshe.

The formation of Okzhetpes is explained by a legend that also covers Zhumbaktas, the Sphinx-like rock that pokes out of the water in front of it. While Abylay Khan’s army was fighting the Zhungars, a beautiful princess was captured and brought to Burabay. It was decreed that she should marry a Kazakh. The princess agreed, saying whoever could shoot an arrow to the top of Okzhetpes could have her hand. All her potential suitors failed the first time, hence the name Okzhetpes which means ‘Unreachable-by-Arrows’. But on a second attempt her true love hit the target. His rivals were so angry that they killed him. The distraught princess flung herself into the lake, thus creating Zhumbaktas (Mysterious Stone).

A short footpath heading north from Okzhetpes leads to a point where both Lake Burabay and the neighbouring, larger Lake Bolshoe Chebachye can be seen.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009