NUR-SULTAN – The pandemic has boosted the development of domestic tourism and promoted the construction of new tourist facilities in resort areas. One of them is the Burabai resort located in the Burabai National Park near the town of Kokshetau.
Burabai National Park. Photo credit: astana.zagranitsa.com. Click to see full size map
Burabai, often called Kazakh Switzerland because of its mountains, forests and lakes, has recently been included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Ensuring the safety of tourists, protecting local flora and fauna
The first site, which was built at a height of 780 meters on the Abylai Khan Glade, is an observation platform that provides safety for tourists who seek stunning views of the mountain range and the Abylai Khan Glade. ‘Abylai Khan at cloud level. The access path to the platform is equipped with panels and benches.
“We have built more than 30 kilometers long pedestrian and bicycle lanes to eliminate possible emergency situations and provide tourists with comfortable rides,” presidential office spokeswoman Elena Klivets said in an interview with the Kazinform agency during a recent press tour in the Burabai region.
A viewing platform on the Abylai Khan Glade. Photo credit: burabaydamu.kz
The third novelty is the Smart Burabai system, which helps local foresters to monitor the territory and prevent fires, which could be caused by waste thrown by tourists.
“The system has been working since the second year. There are 13 towers in the national park, which react to temperature and detect smoke. All the signals arrive at the remote control 102. Approaching the camera, one discovers whether it is indeed smoke or dust. The walkie-talkie tells us where it happened, and our employees go to the scene of the incident and take the necessary measures,” said Evgeniy Arkhipov, forester and head of the scientific department of Burabai National Park.
Arkhipov noted that there is a “kind of panic button for tourists”, which they can press to call for help when they get lost.
Entertainment and health centers
Another feature of the area is the interactive multimedia complex, which was created in 2021, which is unique in its kind in the whole country. It combines a museum and a multimedia space, where the narrative is constructed in a way similar to modern computer games, including virtual reality.
The complex consists of two parts and is divided into seven zones. The first is a 5D cinema, where tourists can see the most beautiful places in the country from a bird’s eye view.
The second part of the complex bears witness to the history of Kazakhstan. People can find a sign of their family in the Hall of the Eternal Country and learn about all generations of Kazakhs.
In the Steppe Hall of Batyrs (Warriors), each tourist can try on the image of the batyr, wear virtual armor, make a memorable photo with a batyr on the battlefield, shoot a bow like a real nomad and read a e-book on the history of the country.
5D cinema called Flight of the Samruk Bird in the Interactive Multimedia Complex. Photo credit: tripadvisor.ru
The latest site is AQ MARAL Forest Farm, which is in its fifth year. It is a maral (red deer) breeding farm, pantotherapy center and a small ethno aul (village) with real yurts (a traditional dwelling of nomads) and access to national traditions that are available to every tourist.
The natural environment of Burabai is very favorable for the breeding of marals, which were once brought there from the East Kazakhstan region. Currently, about 300 individuals live in a dense forest area of 600 hectares and undergo regular veterinary checks.
Marals or red deer living in the AQ MARAL forest farm. Photo credit: Kazinform agency
The pantotherapy center produces its own medicines, one of which is the panties – growing horns of adult male deer. They contain several substances, including the female sex hormones estrone, estradiol, and materia, that can help cells grow and function. Once a year, the horns of the marals are cut and used to make different medicines.
According to the president of the Association of agro-rural tourism of Kazakhstan, Khalida Tulegenova, the forest farm is designed for 25 people. Nearly 20 people are treated each week, but many tourists come to visit.
“Some people came to us to recover from COVID-19 when their immune system was depleted. Pantotherapy is useful for strengthening immunity and regeneration of skin tissue cells in nervous diseases. Treatment is also provided for people with joint and musculoskeletal diseases, with a decrease in sexual potency for men and women and in general for the recovery of the body, ”said Tulegenova.
