Charyn National Park

Charyn National Park (Kazakh: Шарын ұлттық табиғи паркі, Şaryn ūlttyq tabiği parkı) officially, Charyn Canyon National Nature Park is a national park in Kazakhstan, stretching along the Charyn River, including Charyn Canyon. The Canyon, with its thinly stratified red sedimentary rock, is said to resemble the Grand Canyon in the US; it is however smaller - 50 km from end to end. About 125,050 hectares (309,005 acres; 1,250 km²; 483 sq mi) in size, the park occupies portions of Enbekshikazakh District, Raiymbek District, and Uygur District of Almaty Region. It is about 200 km east of the city of Almaty. The park was established in 2004 to protect the geological attractions of the canyon, the ecological fragility of the river and desert system (including relic Sogdian Ash groves), and surrounding archaeological sites; portions are also set aside for recreation.