charyn.kz an independent guide to wild Kazakhstan

Burabay or Bayanaul: which to choose for a northern summer

From Astana, choose Burabay: about 257 km, three hours by car, and a fast train nearby. From Pavlodar, or for a deeper lake and higher hills, choose Bayanaul. In July both average about 23–24 °C by day.

  • 2 places on the list
  • Verified: 2026-11
  1. 01 Burabay Granite and pine around Lake Borovoe, about 257 km from Astana, with a train to Shchuchinsk. June–August About 257 km from Astana weekend
  2. 02 Bayanaul Granite hills in the Pavlodar steppe, four freshwater lakes, Zhasybay up to 14.7 m deep. June–August First national park, 1985 weekend

Burabay or Bayanaul depends first on where you start. From Astana, Burabay is the natural choice. From Pavlodar, Ekibastuz or anywhere in the north-east, Bayanaul is. Both are granite hills with lakes in open steppe, so distance decides more than scenery does.

BurabayBayanaul
Road from a big cityAstana, about 257 km, 3 hPavlodar, Lake Zhasybay about 230 km, 3–4 h (2017 report)
TrainKurort-Borovoe in Shchuchinsk, then 22 kmNot confirmed
Main lakeBorovoe, up to 7 m deepZhasybay, up to 14.7 m deep
Highest hillKokshe, 947 mAkbet, 1,022–1,027 m
July day, night23 °C, 15 °C24 °C, 15 °C
Car fee0.3 MCI a day, 0.4 MCI at summer weekendsSet by Order No. 232, see calculator

What this means for you: the July figures are almost the same, so do not choose by weather. Choose by route, and by whether you want the better train link or the deeper water.

When each one suits you

  • A weekend from Astana: Burabay. It fits even without a car, and sits in our trips from Astana.
  • A slower week with a lake to swim in: Bayanaul, based near Zhasybay.
  • Hiking in summer: check for fire closures first. Burabay’s Bolektau was restricted from 25 June 2026 at the fifth, extreme class of fire danger.
  • Winter: both drop to about −17 to −18 °C at night in January. Neither is a swimming place from autumn on.
Not verified yet We could not confirm a current bus timetable to Bayanaul, a direct road time from Astana, or which Burabay hills are restricted as of November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is Burabay or Bayanaul closer to Astana?
Burabay: about 257 km and three hours by car. We have no confirmed direct time from Astana to Bayanaul. It is usually reached via Pavlodar or Ekibastuz, with Lake Zhasybay about 230 km from Pavlodar.
Can I reach them without a car?
Burabay, partly. Fast trains take 2 h 28 min to 2 h 45 min from Astana to Kurort-Borovoe in Shchuchinsk, and then it is 22 km by taxi or minibus. For Bayanaul, a 2017 report mentions a bus via Ekibastuz, and we could not confirm a current timetable.
Which lake suits a swim?
The lakes differ in depth: Borovoe reaches 7 m with 3.4 m on average, and Zhasybay reaches 14.7 m. Visitors to Bayanaul mostly head to Zhasybay, described as the clearest. We have no water temperature for either.

Sources