View source for Sharyn Canyon

{{Infobox valley
|name = Sharyn Canyon
|other_name = Charyn Canyon
|length = {{convert|80|km}}
|width = 
|elevation = 
|location = [[Almaty]], Kazakhstan 
|photo = IMG 7431-Sharyn canyon.jpg
|photo_caption = Sharyn Canyon, view down to Valley of Castles
|photo_size = 250
|map = Kazakhstan
|map_size = 220
|map_caption = Location in Kazakhstan
|label =  Sharyn Canyon
|label_position = right 
|lat_d = 43.3581
|long_d = 79.0925
|region = 
|scale = 
|watercourses=[[Sharyn River]]
}}
'''Sharyn Canyon''' (also known as '''Charyn Canyon''') is a [[canyon]] on the [[Sharyn River]] in [[Kazakhstan]], {{convert|200|km}} east of [[Almaty]], close to the Chinese border. The canyon is {{convert|80|or|90|km|mi}} in length.{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}} It is within the Sharyn River valley and is part of the [[Sharyn National Park]], which was established on 23 February 2004, and is located within the territory of the [[Uygur District]], [[Raiymbek District]] and [[Enbekshikazakh District]] of the [[Almaty Province]]. Over several millennia of weathering action, the canyon has gained colorful formations of varying shapes and sizes. Though it is much smaller than the [[Grand Canyon]], it has been described as being equally impressive.{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}}{{Sfn|Mayhew|Bloom |Clammer |2010|p=147}}{{Sfn|Waters|2006|p=72}}<ref name=Park>{{Cite web|url=http://visitkazakhstan.kz/en/guide/places/view/69/|title=The State National park of Charyn|accessdate=23 November 2015|publisher=Official  web site of the Government of Kazakastan}}</ref> 

One part of the canyon is known as ''Valley of Castles'' (''Dolina Zamkov'')  for its unusual rock formations, and its length is {{convert|3|km}} with a depth of {{convert|100|m}}.{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}}

==Etymology==
Some scholars think that the name of the river is derived from the [[Uyghur language|Uyghur]] word 'Sharyn' meaning "ash tree". There is also another interpretation that it is a derivative of the [[Turkish language|Turkic]] root word 'Char', which means a "precipice". Both these interpretations fit the site conditions where the terrain is precipitous, and ash trees are found.{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}}

==Features==
The canyon formation is along the banks of the fast flowing Charyn River in a northern flow stretch of about {{convert|80|km}} ({{convert|90|km}} is also stated) which is a tributary of the [[Ile River]]; the river has a total length of {{convert|393|km}}.<ref name=Park/> The river rises from the [[Tien Shan Mountains|Tian Shan Mountains]] (meaning: "Heavenly Mountains",<ref name="Cheng2001">{{cite book|author=Pang Guek Cheng|title=Kazakhstan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z75x8MmkTIkC&pg=PA10|year=2001|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=978-0-7614-1193-2|pages=10–}}</ref>) that is spread over the arid semi-desert to the east of Almaty.{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}} In parts, it attains a depth of {{convert|150|to|300|m|ft}}.{{Sfn|Mayhew|Bloom |Clammer |2010|p=147}} The geological formation of the canyon is of sedimentary red sandstone  which have been subject to the "atmogenic process" (defined in Websters dictionary as "atmospheric origin by condensation, wind action, or deposition from volcanic vapors"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atmogenic|title= atmogenic|accessdate=15 January 2016|publisher=Merriam Webster Dictionary}}</ref>) of water and wind erosion resulting in "weird and colourful formations" in the form of sculptures.{{fact|date=January 2016}}{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}}{{Sfn|Mayhew|Bloom |Clammer |2010|p=147}}
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ecosystema.ru/08nature/world/is/32e.htm|title=Asia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan|accessdate=23 November 2015|publisher= ecosystema.ru}}</ref>

Access to the canyon is from Almaty on the main road towards east which passes through small villages called [[Chilik]], [[Baiseit]], and [[Kokpek]], at a distance of about {{convert|190|km}}. From here, a signposted road leads to the parking area of the canyon over a distance of {{convert|9|km}}, and passes through the Sharyn (or Charyn) National Park. From the parking area a track leads to the canyon. Another path from the park, which is {{convert|1|km}} in length, leads to an area where views of the canyon are more scenic. Adventure sports activities in the river are white-water [[rafting]] and [[canoeing]]. Fishing is done on the river for the local species of fish called "[[Gymnodiptychus#Gymnodiptychus dybowskii|Naked Osman]]".{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}} Further downstream of the canyon is a dry zone of the gorge called the Red canyon or "Valley of Castles" which stretches over a length of about a km and has a depth of about {{convert|100|m}}. There is a track at the vale of this gorge which has naturally sculpted red stone formations.{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}}

About {{convert|20|km}} away from the canyon is the remnant of a relic forest. This forest, under the umbrage of the canyon. is known as the "Sogdian ash" (Ash Tree), a tree which is said to be a derivative from the [[Ice age]], and is one of the forest formations which is unique in the world. It was declared a protected reserve in 1964. It is now integrated with the Charyn National Park. Apart from the [[Ash Tree]], other species of trees reported from this forest are [[willow]], [[Populus|poplar]], and [[barberry]]. This area can be accessed from another road from Almaty which passes through [[Kokpek]], Shonzy and [[Zharkent]].{{Sfn|Brummell|2012|p=170}}

==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Charin.jpg|Valley of Castles
File:CharynCanyon.jpg|Charyn Canyon
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Brummell |first=Paul |title=Kazakhstan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CH3PY_LSOlAC&pg=PA170|date=1 March 2012|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-369-6|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last1= Mayhew |first1=Bradley |last2= Bloom|first2=Greg |last3= Clammer |first3=Paul |title=Central Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B9m-hrsrtfYC&pg=PA147|year=2010|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74179-148-8|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last= Waters |first=Bella |title=Kazakhstan in Pictures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z8rd4LRKrdUC&pg=PA72|year=2006|publisher=Twenty-First Century Books|isbn=978-0-8225-6588-8|ref=harv}}

{{Kazakhstan topics}}

[[Category:Canyons and gorges of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:National parks of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Almaty Region]]
[[Category:Almaty Region]]
[[Category:Kazakhstan geography stubs]]