The BBC has released a striking feature on Mangystau, one of Kazakhstan’s most mysterious and visually captivating regions. «The Alien Lands Once Hidden Beneath the Ocean» highlights the area’s stunning natural beauty and otherworldly landscapes.
Mangystau’s geological wonders
The video follows 27-year-old local guide Gaukhar Yessirkepova on a 700-kilometer journey through the vast Kazakh steppe. Along the route, she introduces viewers to Mangystau’s geological wonders. These include the layered slopes of Mount Bokty, the vividly striped Kyzylkup Canyon — nicknamed «tiramisu,» the surreal Ybyktysai Gorge, and the castle-like cliffs of Bozzhyra.
Producers describe Mangystau as a place where the earth looks like it’s from another planet. Viewers are taken across sprawling plateaus, canyons and chalk formations that once formed the seabed of an ancient ocean millions of years ago. Its Mars-like scenery — tinged with a distinctly Kazakh flavor — continues to captivate travelers and filmmakers alike.
Global travel destination
The story then highlights how Mangystau is rapidly emerging as a global travel destination, drawing visitors for its sweeping vistas, vast open spaces and unique energy.
In response to this growing popularity, Kazakhstan’s government has been actively developing tourism in the region. Under a comprehensive plan for 2025-2029, officials intend to build new roads and infrastructure and improve access to key attractions such as Bozzhyra, Tamshaly, Zhygylgan, Shakpak Ata, Saura and Kyzylkup.
Notably, Kursiv LifeStyle reported earlier that Azerbaijani singer and businessman Emin Agalarov — the son of billionaire Aras Agalarov — had proposed building a hotel on the Caspian coastline in Mangystau, a plan that sparked opposition among Kazakh citizens concerned about preserving the area’s natural beauty.
