The park is long and thin, protecting both banks of the Charyn River for 50 km, but only to a width of 3 km. The Charyn River at this point runs southwest to northeast through arid foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains 30 km to the south. The canyon reaches 370 meters in depth, and base is approximately 1,100 meters above sea level. The park protects three main sites:
Ulken Buguty is in the northeast foothills of the small Ulken Bugty mountain range. The hills include mineral complexes and geology of scientific interest, as well as an area targeted for expansion of gazelle herds.
Kyzyl Karasai protects habitat for grazing and breeding gazelles, as well as a relic forest of ash trees and sources of mineral waters.
Charyn Canyon follows the main course of the Charyn River. The canyon reaches 370 meters in depth, and base is approximately 1,100 meters above sea level.
Aktogay Canyon follows the Charyn River below the Charyn Canyon.
Four levels of protection are provided for different sub-areas of the park: Reserve Status Area, Zone of Environmental Stabilization, Tourism and Recreation Area, and a Zone of Limited Economic Activity.
Climate
The climate is "Cold Semi-Arid Climate. Average temperature ranges from in January to in July.
Plants and animals
Within the park is the Charyn Ash Grove, a remnant stand of what was once a long forest belt of Sogdian Ash trees that spread across the northern slopes of the Tian Shen mountains as early as the Paleogene Period. The ash groves in the park, which cover only about, can withstand wide swings in salinity and dryness in the floodplain soils. Above the flooplain is a unique community in which the dominant plants include Saxaul. Scientists in the park have recorded 32 species of mammals, 18 of reptiles, 4 of amphibians, 100 of birds, and over 1,000 plants, 50 of which are rare or endemic.
Tourism
There are three tourist routes in the park:
Charyn Ash Grove. In addition to the trail, there are guest houses and a 'country house' with seating for 100 people.
Valley of the Castles. The Valley of the Castles takes its name from the shapes of the rock formations in a small side canyon off the main Charyn River course, with a views out to the main canyon. The sedimentary layers include orange-grey clays, marl, gritstone, and sandstone. The approach is by a 10 kmdirt road, with three parking lots at the site. There is food available at two recreational gazebos, and five rest yurts.
Cemeteries and Burial Mounds. Located 12 km off the Chundzha-Almaty highway is an area of scattered archaeological sites.
