<P> Another prominent feature of the area are the Aktay mountains . The Aktay mountains are also referred to as the "lunar mountains" on account of their particular colors . </P> <P> The "Singing Dunes" are located 300 kilometers from Almaty national park . The area is referred to as The "Singing Dunes" on account of the rumbling sound emitting from the sand . The Singing Barchan dune which is 1.5 km long and 120m high . The barchan is a crescent in form, which fact makes it beauty unique . When the wind is blowing from the West dispersing the sands, one has a feeling that the pipe organ is playing in the heart of the desert . Up to now this phenomenon is still a riddle of the nature, but the scientists suppose that in hot dry weather the sand gets electrified due to friction and creates a certain sonic vibration . None of those who once heard the barchans singing will ever forget this phenomenon . </P> <P> The park serves to preserve rare and endangered plant and animal species . The flora of the Park includes 1800 plant species, including 69 rare species . Also, 56 animal species within the park are considered rare, including argali, dziggetai, Persian gazelle . Not counting insects and fish, at least 260 different animals live in Altyn Emel . There are endangered amphibians including the Siberian toad and rare and endangered birds including black stork and imperial eagle . Of 78 species of mammals, 11 are recorded in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, including stone marten, polecat, otter, manul (wild cat), wild ass, gazelle, argali, Asian barbastelle bat, Bukhara deer, lynx and Tien Shan brown bear . Kulan, goitered gazelle and Przewalski horses also live in the park . </P>

The singing dunes in atlyn emel national park