Tengrinews.kz — Videographer Bekarys Zhumabek shared a stunning footage from the Zhambyl region featuring endless poppy fields, herds of horses, and near-complete silence, surprising social media users.
The video shows steeppes near Merke and Kulan, a sunset, and landscapes that look more like scenes from a movie than a regular trip along the Almaty–Tashkent highway.
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Where the poppy fields were filmed
According to the author, the footage with poppies was shot a few days ago near the village of Merke along the Almaty–Tashkent highway.
The frames show huge fields of blooming poppies stretching to the horizon.
“The video shows natural landscapes along the road — vast steppes, horizon lines, open sky and a feeling of complete freedom. This is not a tourist ‘promoted’ place, but rather wild, natural beauty that captivates with its simplicity,” Bekarys said.
The second video was filmed near the village of Kulan in the Ryskulov district, where the author captured a herd of horses grazing in the steppe.
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According to the videographer, what impressed him the most was the atmosphere — open space, silence and the absence of people.
“The trip left strong impressions and a powerful заряд of inspiration. The sunset impressed me the most: a combination of special light and absolute silence in an endless space. The absence of people allowed me to fully immerse myself in the atmosphere, enjoy nature and feel the calm of this place,” he noted.
Bekarys added that the location’s lack of popularity is what makes it special.
What car is better for the trip
It is possible to reach the location by almost any car, since it is a republican highway. However, for off-road travel, a vehicle with high ground clearance is more suitable.
“If you plan to leave the road closer to the fields, a low car may not be very comfortable,” the author said.
He also advised visiting closer to the evening, when the steppe looks especially impressive.
Why it is important not to pick poppies
The forestry committee explained that the steppe poppy plays an important role in the ecosystem.
“Poppy (Roemeria), despite being widespread in Kazakhstan’s steppe ecosystems, performs an important ecological function by helping maintain plant community structure and providing a food base for pollinators,” the agency said.
Mass trampling or picking of flowers can lead to land degradation.
Is there a fine for picking poppies
Scientific secretary of the Almaty Botanical Garden, candidate of biological sciences Elmira Sametova said there is no separate fine for picking poppies, as the plant is not listed in the Red Book.
According to her, picking poppies is pointless.
“There is no sense in picking poppies: they will not last as a bouquet, the petals quickly fall off. Therefore, picking them is completely pointless. Even if there is no punishment, poppies will not decorate anyone’s home — their petals fall off quickly,” she noted.
