[2] The lakes are in a picturesque mountain setting with rocky outcrops and pine forest covered hill slopes.

They are one of the main tourist destinations in Kazakhstan, with holiday cottages and resorts near some of them.

Most of them are freshwater lakes of tectonic origin located in a rocky zone made of granite.

They are fed mainly by snow and don't dry completely, even in periods of drought.

Balykty, Urymkay, Karaungir, Zerendi and Aydabul lie in the central part a little further west.