On May 23, 2026, faculty members of the Department of SGH&DT — Senior Lecturer M.D. Zhumagulov and Professors G.S. Shamshieva and N.I. Lyapbayeva — organized a historical and educational excursion for first-year students to Charyn Canyon, located approximately 200 kilometres from Almaty, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6.
Charyn Canyon is one of the most remarkable natural sites in Kazakhstan. It is renowned for its breathtaking rock formations, a landscape shaped over centuries, and its historical significance. Scientists attribute the formation of this area to geological processes that began millions of years ago. The canyon stretches 154 kilometres in total length, with depths reaching up to 300 metres in certain sections. It is often referred to as the “Little Grand Canyon” — and while it may be smaller than its famous American counterpart, it rivals it in sheer beauty. The Charyn River, the region’s primary water source, flows into the Ili River and cuts through several gorges. The canyon also holds considerable importance for archaeologists: ancient tools and human settlements have been discovered here.
Author: Lyapbaeva N. I.
