Burabai

Burabai is one of the most wonderful places in the world. It is a real pearl of nature and unique natural oasis. Kazakh Switzerland, the second name of this beautiful region in Northern Kazakhstan, is near Kokshetau. A great green wall of a forest suddenly appears in the yellow, sun-dried, endless steppe. Coming through it one can find a truly magnificent picturesque place. There are tall centenary trees, rocky mountain ranges, fantastic shapes of rocks and silent magic lakes full of fish. Burabai is a really mysterious and enigmatic place. Bura in the Kazakh language means “camel”. There is an old legend about a camel turned into a tulpar or winged horse and flew away to the peak of Kokshetau. Thus it wanted to escape the misfortune which the people were bringing with them. Archeologists found a lot of tools form the epoch of the bronze era in this territory. It testifies that Burabai was settled not only by hunters but also by farmers and herdsmen. Scythian tribes looking for gold and ore constantly passed through this place.

Burabai is not too rich in monuments of material culture. But its wonderful nature impresses no less that great castles and palaces. There are many legends, songs and poems written by many poets and writers about this amazing place. Nature created a fantastic world of colors, forms and sounds. Each stone here and every path in the forest is connected with ancient legends. The most beautiful peak of these mountains is Okzhetpes. The Kazakhs say, “… even an arrow can’t reach it”. The pine forests of Burabai are really fantastic. In winter the pine wood is covered with white snow, in summer alight breeze sprays around aromatic waves of pine pitch, in autumn the wood is full of specific aromas, the smell of wet pine bark mixed with the scent of mushrooms and grass.

There are some birch forests in Burabai too. People are trying to get back to nature there. In the middle of the forest at a distance of about 100 meters form Lake Auliekol one can see a glade. People call it Ablai Khan’s glade. He made the most important decisions there, knowing for sure this place was actually divine. It is always quiet here and the temperature is higher than in any other places. There is sacred stone in the shape of a throne made of natural granite at the foot of Kokshe Mountain. They say that it is Ablai Khan’s throne. The legend tells us if a child takes a seat there he will be great and famous leader in the future.

Burabai is a unique place for those who gather medicine plants. It is also the best place for relaxation., self-contemplation and hiking. This resort is known far beyond Kazakhstan. It is famous for its recreation centers where people are treated with the help of kumis – horse’s milk.