The village of Shabanbay bi in the Aktogay district has become one of the best villages in the country for tourism, according to the Kazakh Tourism company. The winners were determined at the national competition "The Best Sustainable Village".
The village of Shabanbay bi is unique in its nature and history. It is located at the foot of the Kyzylaray Mountains. The highest point of Central Kazakhstan is also located here - Aksoran Peak, 1565 meters high. There is a forest near the village, and beyond it and on the horizon there is a steppe.
This combination of natural landscapes provides a rich and diverse flora and fauna.
In addition, near Shabanbay bi there are sites and monuments of the Begazy-Dandibayev culture, dating back to the Bronze Age, as well as nearby, A ses - ancient stone pillars resembling human figures with detailed depictions of faces.
The Tokyraun River flows near the village of Shabanbay bi. It is known that the Great Silk Road passed through it.
The development of ecotourism in the village began back in 2008. Among the first to draw attention to the tourist potential of Shabanbai Bi were members of the Avalon tourist club and its president Vitaly Shuptar. Then, together with like-minded people, he first visited the village during a cycling expedition. Since 2009, some houses in Shabanbai Bi, where the owners were waiting for guests, were given the status of hotels, and in 2014 the first Sulutas hotel was built in the village. It receives from 15 to 25 tourists per month.
With the support of the European Union, local residents were trained. They were told about ecotourism and attractions near their homes. Also, with the help of non-governmental organizations, the territory of the Kyzylarai reserve was improved, a map and guides for tourists were published, and routes were developed.
Now the village of Shabanbay bi will represent Kazakhstan at the international competition “UN Tourism Best Tourism Village”, held annually by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/karaganda/press/news/details/930251