00:02Drive for three hours to the north from Kazakhstan's capital Astana and the big
00:07island of forested mountains will suddenly emerge from the flat steppe as
00:11if an invisible hand of nature wanted to disturb the monotony of the endless sea
00:15of grass. When you enter the forest you are in Burabai State National Natural
00:19Park. The place of such beauty that even in freezing winter months it attracts
00:23people from Kazakhstan and beyond. Join me in the episode of the modern nomads
00:28in which we will try not only to brave the harsh steppe winter but to enjoy it
00:32as we explore the place where Astana, the Kazakhstan capital, comes to have rest.
00:41It is known as Burabai in Kazakh language or Borovoy in Russian but more and more
00:45frequently they call it Kazakhstan's Switzerland for its stunning pine forests, 14 crystal clear
00:51lakes and rocky mountains. For decades the park has been a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle
00:56of cities mainly capital Astana.
01:01Each year whole urban bay we have visited about 1,5 million people. This is a big difference in rite.
01:07We
01:07are in a three-traheton with the visit in Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan. Here are practically all sorts of
01:12very types of tourism. Of course, for the first time, this is the main focus we have
01:16on ecotourism, but apart from ecotourism as I can say that we are actively developing agrotourism,
01:22sports tourism,
01:24MICE events.
01:25Today we have a big international event.
01:52You can run only in the winter.
01:53And thank you for the cold weather
01:55that allows us to improve our winter,
01:57improve our feelings
01:58and improve our sprinting
02:01with such a cool start.
02:03More than 700 people from 15 countries
02:06ran and did Nordic walking.
02:08It was my first race ever.
02:11And I thought,
02:12if not, why
02:14let's do it extreme.
02:15And yeah, I'm surprised that I didn't
02:17give up.
02:18We were here as tourists
02:20and we were like, let's go to Bravaj
02:22and see a little bit
02:25of the country.
02:27So maybe we'll come back
02:28here in the summer to swim in the lake.
02:38For those who are not keen runners,
02:40there are possibilities for ice skating,
02:42ice fishing and horse, reindeer
02:43or dog-drawn sleigh rides on the frozen lake.
02:46Or the rides that do not include animal labour.
02:57You can have a peaceful,
02:59tranquil vacation here.
03:00Or an adventurous one.
03:02It's really up to you.
03:04If you're not an adventurous type,
03:06or are not at the peak of physical fitness,
03:08you can take a walk in the woods,
03:09bathe in the winter sun,
03:11or simply relive the childhood days
03:13when no one is watching.
03:15Or visit a small bazaar with locally made souvenirs.
03:20Burabaj's stunning landscape
03:22was an inspiration for many works
03:24of Kazakh art, as well as photographs.
03:26For instance, the cliff,
03:27where legend says a captured girl once stood
03:30holding a handkerchief promising her hand
03:32to a Kazakh warrior who could hit
03:34the handkerchief with an arrow.
03:36Millions of photos were taken
03:37from the seven observation points in Burabaj
03:40and this is generally believed to be
03:42one of the most photogenic
03:43and most photographed places in the country.
03:47The park is included in the UNESCO's
03:49World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
03:51But winter may not be the best of times
03:53to see the representatives of 300 animal species
03:56living there.
03:57However, you can visit a nearby deer farm
03:59as more and more farms
04:01combine agriculture and tourism
04:03and offer accommodation and meals.
04:05Tourists can come here to see
04:07our 15-year-old birds.
04:09There are also chickens,
04:12fasones.
04:13There are panta treatment
04:15where you can take vannes,
04:17baches,
04:18turning on muscles,
04:19all to increase immunity.
04:21People breathe fresh air.
04:24The most important thing is
04:25it's just a normal day.
04:33After a hard day's activity,
04:35local restaurants will offer
04:37a wide variety of food,
04:38both traditional and international.
04:40And not only food, but a place to have rest,
04:43process the experience of the day
04:44and recuperate for the next one.
04:47Spring and summer will completely transform
04:49this place.
04:50There will be different things to see
04:51and other things to do.
04:53I'll see you then at exactly the same spot.
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