The park lies in the northern part of the Western Tian Shan, 70 kilometres from Shymkent, spanning several mountain ranges — Ugam, Karzhantau and Boraldaitau. Seven distinct natural zones succeed one another from the steppe foothills all the way up to the high alpine terrain.
Within the park stand the Kyryk Kyz rocks — "The Forty Girls." According to legend, forty young women captured by a cruel khan turned to stone rather than submit to captivity. The rocks do indeed resemble tall figures wearing the traditional bridal headdress known as a saukele. The highest point in the park is Sayram Peak, rising to 4,238 metres above sea level.
The park is home to 1,635 plant species, among them rare Greig and Kaufmann tulips whose flowering draws visitors from across Kazakhstan. The wildlife includes 59 mammal species and around 300 bird species, ten of which are listed in the Red Book — among them the snow leopard, the Tian Shan bear and the golden eagle. In 2016, the park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
