Abstract
This article examines the potential for employing toponymic legends of East Kazakhstan in cultural and educational tourism. Toponymic legends can serve as a mirror of the historical memory and spiritual identity of the communities that have long inhabited these areas. Today, it is essential to explore new approaches to preserving, promoting, and expanding the use of such intangible heritage. According to the authors, the legends associated with Muztau, Rakhman Springs, Markaköl, and other landmarks possess significant potential to guide tourists not only toward the region’s natural sites but also into the historical and philosophical worldview of the Kazakh people. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that, to date, the folkloric and literary heritage of East Kazakhstan has not been systematically examined as a resource for the region’s tourism sector: concrete examples of its application, quantitative and qualitative indicators, as well as theoretical and methodological analyses, remain largely unaddressed. Drawing on recent international scholarship, the authors aim to assess the possibilities of integrating local legends into selected cultural and educational tourist routes officially established in East Kazakhstan. This research direction aligns with contemporary processes of the applied revitalization and reinterpretation of the nation’s spiritual heritage.