It is located in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, 15 km south from the center of Almaty in Kazakhstan.

There are three peaks Sovetov (4,317 m), Ozyorny (4,110 m), and Turist (3,954 m) surrounding the lake, which can be seen from the northern end of the dam.

Turist, a 3,681m high pyramid, is the crest of Bolshoi Almaty Peak and is visible from the city center.

The domed Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory is located higher up above the chalice of the lake (which is open to the public and includes tourist accommodation).

Access to the lake requires payment of a fee to enter the national park (~450KZT in October 2019).