Singing Dune
Әнші құм төбесі
An isolated giant crescent dune in the desert of the Ili Valley, about 150 m high, whose sliding sand gives off a rumbling sound when it is dry.
The Singing Dune is the most famous attraction in Altyn-Emel: a crescent-shaped dune about 1.5 km long and 120–150 m high, isolated between the Greater and Lesser Karkara mountains. It is believed to have been built up over many years by winds from the Ili Valley. When it is dry and windy, sand sliding down the ridge or being trodden on produces a deep, organ-like rumble. After rain, it stays silent. From the parking lot to the foot of the dune is about a 20-minute walk. Climbing to the top along the ridge takes about 40–60 minutes, and from the summit you can look out over the Ili Valley and the Alatau snow peaks. The dirt road to Bastau village is about 60 km long. Buy tickets at the management office, then take a 4WD to the site. There's no shade on the sand, so bring plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen, and don't wear flip-flops.
Opening hours
Daytime (national park permit required)