It stretches 154 kilometres (96 mi) along the Charyn River in the northern Tien Shan mountain range. In parts, it attains a depth of 150 to 300 metres (490–980 ft).
One part of it is known as Valley of Castles for its unusual rock formations. The width of it ranges from 20 to 80 metres (66–260 ft) and the length is 2 kilometres (1.2 mi).