Enjoy a tulip picnic on Red Hill

Although the Western Tien-Shan mountains have an incredible amount of biodiversity and some impressive rare plants, one of the most prominent species in the mountainous areas is one you may know well - the tulip. The tulip traces its lineage all the way to its birthplace in the Silk Road mountains and it's an important part of the scenery here. In spring, a wonderful way to experience these vibrant flowers is with a picnic.

The Red Hill is world-renowned for its Greig tulips. From April to early May, there are upwards of 60 tulips per one square metre. Pack a lunch and spend the day enjoying the sights and smells. There is also a stalactite cave with an underground lake nearby that you can visit, making a perfect addition to your day trip.

Along the mountain ridges in spring, there are a wide range of other plants exhibiting colours of white, yellow, red, pink, and orange. Hikers can view these on the Kuyuk Pass or move on to the Karatau Mountains which display many ornate flowers from the region.