Charyn Canyon enters Worldworthy 100 on 11 November
Published on 11/14/2026 at 19:02 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSRecognition and landscape facts
- On 11 November 2026, the Forestry and Wildlife Committee reported the park’s Worldworthy 100 result.
- The canyon received 9.48 points and ranked 17th among 100 canyons and gorges from 46 countries.
- Charyn National Park was established on 23 February 2004 to protect natural complexes of ecological and scientific value.
- The canyon extends for 154 km along the Charyn River, 195 km east of Almaty.
Charyn Canyon and its Worldworthy 100 ranking were reported on 11 November 2026 in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region. The natural landmark took 17th place among 100 canyons and gorges from 46 countries, giving Western European travellers a current reason to note the protected site.
Worldworthy 100 ranking places the canyon 17th
The 2026 Worldworthy 100 ranking gave the canyon a score of 9.48 out of 10. It was the only destination from Central Asia in the list, while Letchworth Gorge in New York State took first place and the Grand Canyon ranked fourth.
The Forestry and Wildlife Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources supplied the information cited by Qazinform’s report on the ranking. The Worldworthy editorial team also presented Charyn State National Nature Park with a special certificate recognising the result.
The ranking combines visitor reviews and recommendations with references in travel guides, media publications and publicly available information. The result is then subject to editorial review, so it is a travel ranking rather than an environmental designation or a change to the park’s legal status.
Charyn Canyon links a 2004 park to the news
The landmark forms part of Charyn National Park, which was established on 23 February 2004. The park is a specially protected area in the Almaty region, while the canyon itself consists of sedimentary rock formed over about 12 million years.
The canyon stretches for 154 km along the Charyn River and lies 195 km east of Almaty. Its best-known section is the Valley of Castles, where steep rock formations create a narrow landscape of walls and towers. The national park also protects a relic grove of Sogdian ash trees and habitats for rare animals.
These physical features explain why the recent ranking concerns the place itself rather than a nearby city attraction. The certificate recognises the park that contains the canyon, while the geology and the Valley of Castles provide the landscape described in the ranking. Background details on the park and canyon are set out by the Kazakhstan tourism authority.
Visitor numbers add pressure to a protected landscape
Charyn Canyon received 249,928 visitors in 2025, more than twice the figure recorded in the previous year. The recent recognition comes alongside plans for a circular tourist route intended to regulate visitor flows and reduce pressure on the protected natural area.
The visitor figure and the planned route give the ranking a practical context. The new distinction may bring additional attention, while the proposed route shows that access is being considered alongside conservation. The report also noted that a camera trap recorded a Central Asian river otter in the park in October 2026.
Visiting Charyn Canyon: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The current news peg is the Worldworthy 100 result reported on 11 November 2026, with Charyn State National Nature Park named in connection with the certificate.
- The ranking does not announce a closure or a new entrance system. The planned circular tourist route is intended to manage visitor flows, but the report does not give an opening date for it.
- The site is in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region, 195 km east of Almaty, and the canyon follows the Charyn River for 154 km.
- The Valley of Castles is about 2 km long and between 20 and 80 metres wide, according to Kazakhstan’s tourism information.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Charyn Canyon
When was Charyn Canyon included in the Worldworthy 100?
The 2026 ranking was reported on 11 November 2026, placing the canyon 17th among 100 canyons and gorges.
Where is Charyn Canyon and how do you get there?
It is in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region, 195 km east of Almaty. The canyon lies along the Charyn River.
What is Charyn Canyon?
It is a sedimentary-rock canyon within Charyn National Park, formed about 12 million years ago and extending for 154 km.
