The Aktau Mountains are located in the southeast of the Altyn-Emel National Park, south of the Dzhungar Alatau ridge, 72 km from the village of Basshi.

The length of the Aktau mountains from east to west is 30 km, from north to south - up to 2 km. The total area is about 50 km2.

The chalk mountains of Aktau are the main attraction of the Altyn-Emel National Park after the Singing Dune.

The Aktau Mountains (translated from the Kazakh language as “white mountains”) are a unique geological formation, the bottom of a dried-up ancient ocean, which got its name from the main white color of the composing rocks.

On the territory of the national park there are tracts with warm radon springs, where huge trees - willows - grow. Radon waters are considered healing and help a person recover from many diseases. On one of the Kosbastau tracts, a 700-year-old Willow grows, its branches in the form of thick trunks rest on the ground, and several people can clasp the tree holding hands. The tree is considered sacred and its damage, according to legend, brings death. According to legend, in the 12th century, the formidable Genghis Khan and his army rested under this willow during a campaign in Central Asia.

The Singing dune Aigaykum (translated from the Kazakh language as “singing sands”) is the main attraction of the Altyn-Emel National Park.

The Singing dune is a mountain of pure quartz sand without vegetation, with a steep slope. When dry sand moves, sand grains rub against each other, which produces a long, loud sound, similar to low singing. That is why the dune was called “Singing”. Such a rare natural phenomenon has been observed only in a few places in the world.

The Singing Dune is considered one of the 7 natural wonders of Kazakhstan.

The Singing Dune is located in the southern central part of the Altyn-Emel National Park on the right bank of the Ili River, between the Ulken (Big) and Kishi (Small) Kalkan mountain ranges, 46 km from the village of Basshi, approximately 300 km from the city of Almaty.