Commonly referred to as Dolina Zamkov (Valley of the Castles),Charyn Canyon is one of Kazakhstan`s finest nature sports.Everyone who has happened to see Charyn says that it clearly deserves visiting .The site is named after a small river that originates from the glaciers of the Zaliliysky Alatau and empteies, into the ili River However, this calm area has its zest that attracts thousands tourists.
Charyn is famous for its magnificent canyon which a second in size only to the Grand Canyon in Arizona,USA.
The canyon`s walls,up to 300 m high,have been exposed to wild winds, heavy rains and extreme temperatures for thousands of years.These climatic effects eventually carved numerous surreal formations in the rock.You can see there the ruins of ancient fortresses,mythical creatures,and even armies ready for battle,hence the fancy names given tjb these places:"the Valley of Castles", "Witch Ravine", "Devil`s Ravine",etc .The special air of Charyn`s solitary world evokes unknown emotional experiences,and some say it helps see one`s own life in a different way.
The reserved grandeur of the rocks suddenly changes into the mild beautyof an ancient ash grove.Apart from the famous Charyn ash-trees , you can see Lombardy poplars , giant lli oleasters and other rare plants.Over 300 birds, 20 amphibians and over 800 athropods inhabit Charyn.
The walls of Charyn Canyon inDolina Zamkov area show rick storeys of different ages and different origin.Dark rocks at the bottom of Charyn Canyon and in the lower part of Dolina Zamkov are volcanic lava rocks in this area .On top of these rocks are layers of mush younger rocks.These red cliffs, consist of solid gravel which was deposited by debris flows .The plains around Charyn Canyon are covered with grey gravel which was deposited by rivers , and dust whish was deposited by wind.Sand and gravel on the bottom of Charyn Canyon was deposited by Charon River.Some gravel on terraces above Charyn River is evidence of Charyn`s former river bed/The rocks of Toraigyr Mountains are of about the same age as old volcanic lava rocks and also of volcanic origin.They consist of solid lava and depositions of material thrown out by volcanos eruptions .In western Dolima Zamkov are volcanic rocks of different colours which have about the same age as the other rocks of volcanic origin .They consist (like the rocks of Toraigyr Mountains)of ashes and stones thrown out by volcanos File:CharynRoad.jpg