Kazakhstan🇰🇿, Zailiyskiy Alatau

The Trans—Ili Alatau is a mountain range in the north-west of the Tien Shan (on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). In the northern foothills is located the millionth city of Alma-Ata — the former capital of Kazakhstan. The famous Medeo sports complex and the high-altitude ski base of Cimbulak are also located here. 

The modern name "Trans-Ili Alatau" was adopted in 1865, when the famous traveler and geographer P. P. Semenov stopped at the crossing of the Ili River and saw a grandiose ridge that stretched beyond the river.

The Trans-Ili Alatau lies within four high-altitude zones. Up to 1600 m, forest-steppes and deciduous forests dominate here, where wild apple trees, apricots, aspen and mountain ash grow. Above – up to 2800 m – coniferous forests extend, consisting mainly of pyramidal Tianshan spruce. Above them lies a zone of alpine meadows, and from a height of 3500 meters, bare rocks and glaciers begin.