Altyn Emel National Park

The 10 Best National Parks in the World

"[This park] is located in the Ili River Valley of Kazakhstan. The beautiful isolation of this area invites visitors to explore its archaeological, historical, and cultural monuments and rich biodiversity. The Bes-Shatyr burial mounds are the remains of a sixth-century B.C.E. necropolis. Here, you can find rare and endangered species like Przhevalski's horse and the elusive snow leopard, while Lake Kapchagai and the Sholak Mountains are prime bird-watching areas. "Right on the Ili river is the Singing Dune, providing a grand panorama of the area from the top. In dry weather, when the sand moves, it can sound like an organ rumble or low jet engine. It's triggered by shifting sand avalanches." — Zulya Rajabova, Silk Road Treasure Tours. Key draws are archaeological sites (Bes-Shatyr), rare fauna (Przhevalski's horse, possible snow leopard sightings), birding at Lake Kapchagai/Sholak Mountains, and the remarkable acoustic phenomenon of the Singing Dune." - Elizabeth Cantrell Elizabeth Cantrell Elizabeth Cantrell is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure. She edits stories with a focus on outdoor and adventure travel, as well as Canada, Northern Europe, and the Southeastern U.S. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines