Teniz Lake: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Kazakhstan's Steppe

Kazakhstan isn’t usually the first place people think of when planning a vacation, but those who’ve been to Lake Teniz know it’s a real hidden gem. About 120 kilometers from Astana, this slightly salty lake is called “the sea” in Kazakh — and once you see it, you’ll understand why. The wide, endless water shimmers under the sun, stretching so far that it almost feels like the Caspian.

What makes Teniz special isn’t just its beauty. It’s that rare feeling of being completely away from everything. For miles around, there’s nothing but open steppe — no traffic, no city noise, just the wind and the sound of birds. We still bring along some basics like tents and a portable toilet, but once you’re out there, surrounded by nothing but nature, it feels like another world.

Our family comes here almost every weekend in summer. The kids play by the shore, we swim, throw a ball around, and just lie in the sun doing absolutely nothing. We even bring a small grill, and there’s something about cooking outdoors that makes everything taste better — maybe it’s the fresh air, maybe it’s the hunger after a long swim.

If you feel like exploring, there’s plenty to do. You can hike along the shore, or take a boat out and drift in the middle of the lake, with nothing but the quiet sound of water around you. It’s one of those moments that makes you forget about time.

When the sun sets, we sit by the fire, roast meat, and talk until late at night. It’s simple, but it’s the kind of simplicity that city life rarely gives you. Eventually, we crawl into our tents and fall asleep to the sound of crickets and the soft rustle of the steppe wind.

So if you’re searching for a place that feels truly off the beaten path, come to Lake Teniz. It’s a small miracle hidden in the heart of Kazakhstan’s steppe — quiet, vast, and full of life in its own peaceful way.