Zhongar-Alatau State National Natural Park was established on April 30, 2010. Its total area is 356,022 hectares, it occupies the territory of three administrative districts of Almaty province - Aksu, Sarkand and Alakol. The park is located on the northern slope of the Zhetysu Alatau, which runs for about 300 km from west to east. Its highest the peak is the peak of Semenov-Tyan-Shansky (4622 m above sea level).
Particular attention is paid to the preservation and restoration of unique apple forests (Sivers apple, apple Niedzwiecki) - the source of genetic resources of global importance.
The Zhongar-Alatau Nature Park is of striking beauty. Unique natural conditions of the territory - favorable climate and significant aesthetic attractiveness of a mountain landscape - are complemented with the richness and diversity of flora, especially picturesque are pine forests and a big number of red-listed species of animals living in the region.
In the park one can find at least 75% of the species of plants growing in the Zhetysu Alatau. 12 species of plants are recorded - Fritillaria pallidiflora, Adonis Tien-Shan, Altai gimnospermium, Corydalis Semenov, Sivers apple. Astragalus oroproselius, integrifolia Jungar, gentian Jungar, Veronica serpyllifolia, Senecio pyroglossus, Saussurea, rapontikum carthamoides (maral root);
2 species of amphibians - Central (Siberian) frog, danatens toad; at least 6 species of nesting birds - the black stork, booted eagle, golden eagle, saker falcon, owl, vulture; 6 Species of mammals - Tien-Shan brown bear, marten, rnanul, Turkestan lynx, snow leopard, Tien-Shan mountain sheep included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.
During migration one can see here such rare species as spoonbill, ferruginous duck, peregrine falcon, great bustard, little bustard, jack, brown dove.
In the national park there are monuments of history and culture such as Uygentas cemetery, located in the Uygentas tract on the right bank of the Tentek River, burial mounds in the Sarymsakty valley, on the north-western slopes of the Karaagash range, on the Koktobe pass (1814 m), in the Zhunzhurek Mountains and Dinar Khorezm of Shah Mohammed bin Tekesh dating back to the thirteenth century, which is located in the Topolevka village.