Abai District of Abay Region is located on the slopes of Chingistau southwest of the city of Semey. The western and northern parts of the district consist of plains with small hills, while to the south lie the Chingistau mountain ranges. The climate is harsh.

Abai District was founded in 1928. Its history dates back to the late 1920s, with the foundation stone laid in 1927, merging Bugyly, Shagan, Chingiz, Kyzyladyr, and Mukyr Bolas villages. In January 1928, it was named Chingistau District.

In 1928, the district center was moved from Aktaubulak village to Karaul, considered a crossroads of nine roads suitable for construction and animal husbandry.

From November 1930, Chingistau District was renamed Goloschekin District, but in December of the same year, it reverted to its former name.

In 1939, Chingistau District, which was part of the East Kazakhstan Region, became part of Semipalatinsk Region.

On October 5, 1940, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR, Chingistau District was transformed into Abai District in honor of the 95th anniversary of Kazakh leader Abay Kunanbayev.

In 1997, due to the reorganization of Semipalatinsk Region, Abai District was included in the East Kazakhstan Region.

Its area is 20 thousand square kilometers. The administrative center is Karaul village. It comprises 9 rural districts: Karaul, Arkhat, Kokbay, Kundizdy, Sarzhal, Tokhtamys, Medeu, Kengirbai Bi, and Kaskabulak. The main economic activity of the region is livestock farming.

Abai District is the spiritual capital of Abay Region, the homeland of the great.

Abai is the national pride of the Kazakh people. Republican Abai readings, exhibitions, reviews, reader conferences dedicated to the creativity of the great Abai, and Abai's songs are held here.