Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan

Charyn Canyon is an 80-kilometre-long gorge in eastern Kazakhstan. Its most picturesque part is the Valley of Castles, where there are fantastic rock formations on which the geological history of the area can be reconstructed. At the bottom of the canyon, volcanic rocks covered with coarse reddish sand and grey rocks formed from ash and rock mass from later eruptions. The canyon is 90 to 300 m deep and the rocks are unusually shaped and resemble fortifications. In some places, fossils of prehistoric organisms can be seen on the rocks. The best time to visit is spring or autumn, but it is a good idea to visit with a group. The nearest town is Chilik.