Sharyn Canyon is a dramatic gorge cut by the Sharyn River into the red sandstone and clay formations of the Tian Shan foothills, about 200 kilometres east of Almaty. The canyon runs for roughly 150 kilometres, with the most visited section — the Valley of Castles — featuring eroded pillars and towers of red rock that rise up to 300 metres from the canyon floor.
The landscape draws inevitable comparisons to the American Southwest, and the scale and colour of the formations are genuinely impressive. The canyon floor can be reached by a steep path, and the river still flows at the bottom. The best light for photography is early morning or late afternoon, when the rock glows a deep orange.
Getting there requires a car — the canyon is not accessible by public transport. Most visitors come on organised day trips from Almaty, though it is possible to drive independently on a reasonable road from the city.