One of East Kazakhstan’s most exotic and mystical natural sites is now significantly easier to visit. In Kurchum District, local authorities have improved navigation and basic infrastructure along the route to the famous Kiin-Kerish Gorge.
Kiin-Kerish spans 300 hectares of vibrant clay canyons in the Zaysan Basin. Renowned for its otherworldly red, yellow, and white formations that shift shape after heavy rains, the gorge is often called "Mars on Earth." Every summer, 10,000 to 20,000 tourists from Kazakhstan, Russia, Austria, Belgium, and the USA travel here to camp and marvel at the cosmic landscapes.
Previously, finding this geological wonder via unpaved dirt roads was a challenge. In the summer of 2026, the Kurchum District Akimat allocated 3 million KZT to enhance the location. The project included installing 12 road navigation signs, building 2 rest gazebos, and placing bilingual information boards in Kazakh and Russian.
Because Kiin-Kerish is situated in an arid clay desert (the nearest water source is 7 km away in Amanat village), local authorities are also working on tourist accommodation plans. Land plots have been designated for guest houses, and settlers from southern regions are being encouraged to restore homes in nearby villages to develop local eco-tourism.
Source: YK-news.kz