Almaty, Kazakhstan
Region: Almaty is located in Almaty Province
Geographic Coordinates: 43.277500, 76.895800
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 35.0°C (-40°F to 95°F)
Climate: Cold winters, mild springs and autumns, and hot summers with occasional thunderstorms.
Population: 1916822
Language: Kazakh
Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and serves as its cultural, Economic, And educational hub. Located in the southeastern region of the country, It sits at the foothills of the majestic Tien Shan Mountains. Almaty was once Kazakhstan’s capital city until Astana replaced it in 1997. Nevertheless, Almaty remains a bustling metropolis that appeals to both locals and tourists. One of Almaty’s most striking features is its natural beauty. The Tien Shan Mountains provide a picturesque backdrop to the city skyline while nearby parks like Panfilov Park offer a peaceful escape from urban life.
The park houses several monuments dedicated to Kazakhstan’s history and culture, Including an ornate Zenkov Cathedral made entirely out of wood and a war memorial. In addition to its natural attractions, Almaty has much to offer in terms of cultural experiences. The Central State Museum showcases Kazakhstan’s rich history through exhibits on archaeology, Ethnography, And art. Meanwhile, Contemporary art enthusiasts can visit venues such as Aspan Gallery or Artishock Gallery for exhibitions featuring local artists.
Food lovers will also find plenty to enjoy about Almaty’s culinary scene with traditional Kazakh dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat with noodles) or plov (rice pilaf) available at restaurants throughout the city alongside international cuisine such as sushi or pizza. For those seeking outdoor adventure beyond city limits, There are many options available just outside Almaty’s borders with hiking trails in nearby national parks like Ile-Alatau National Park or Charyn Canyon National Park offering breathtaking views over red rock formations that rival those found in Arizona’s Grand Canyon!
Overall visitors will find there is no shortage of things to see and do in Almaty – whether interested in history/culture or exploring nature- With its blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty; it’s an absolute must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Kazakhstan.
- Medeu Skating Rink
- Shymbulak Ski Resort
- Kok Tobe Hill and Cable Car
- Zenkov Cathedral
- Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
- Almaty Tower
- Green Bazaar
- Panfilov Park and Memorial of Glory
- National Museum of Kazakhstan
- Big Almaty Lake
- Finance and banking
- Oil and gas
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- IT industry
- Education
Almaty is the financial capital of Kazakhstan with many banks, insurance companies, and investment firms.
Kazakhstan is a major producer of oil and gas with many international oil companies operating in the country.
Kazakhstan has significant reserves of minerals such as copper, gold uranium and zinc.
The fertile lands around Almaty are used for farming wheat, barley fruits (apples), vegetables (potatoes), dairy products (cheese) meat products (beef).
Almaty is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty like mountains (Tien Shan), ski resorts like Shymbulak Ski Resort cultural heritage sites like Zenkov Cathedral or Central State Museum of Republic of Kazakhstan.
Many software development companies have their offices in Almaty.
There are many universities located in Almaty including Kazakh National University named after al-Farabi.
- The city of Almaty was founded in 1854 by the Russian military as a fortification and trading post.
- During World War II, Almaty served as the capital of Soviet Kazakhstan.
- In 1960, a devastating earthquake hit the city, resulting in over 1,500 deaths and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
- Some notable individuals from Almaty include Abay Kunanbayev, Mukhtar Auezov, Olzhas Suleimenov, and Gennady Golovkin.
- The city boasts several important cultural institutions such as the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, the Almaty Opera House, and the National Academy of Sciences.
- In recent years, Almaty has emerged as a key center for business and finance in Central Asia with numerous multinational corporations establishing offices there.
- The Medeu Skating Rink located just outside Almaty is one of the highest-altitude skating rinks globally and has hosted various international competitions like speed skating at the 2011 Asian Winter Games.
- FC Kairat became Kazakhstan’s first club to reach UEFA Europa League’s knockout stage (Round of 32) during the 2017-18 season after defeating Spanish side Real Sociedad on two legs (2-0 at home & lost by only one goal away).
- The Central State Museum of Kazakhstan showcases the rich history and culture of the country through exhibits on archaeology, ethnography, and natural history.
- The National Museum of Kazakhstan is the largest museum in the country and offers visitors a chance to explore Kazakhstani art, history, and culture.
- Almaty Tower is a towering television tower that provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.
- Kok-Tobe Hill is a must-visit destination for tourists looking to enjoy stunning views of Almaty from its hilltop location. It also features an amusement park and several restaurants.
- Zenkov Cathedral is a remarkable wooden cathedral built in 1907 by Russian architect Andrei Zenkov without using any nails.
- Arbat Street is a vibrant pedestrian street with shops selling traditional Kazakhstani souvenirs as well as international brands.
- The Abay Opera House is one of Almaty’s main attractions featuring performances by local and international artists.
- Green Bazaar is one of Almaty’s oldest markets where visitors can purchase fresh produce, spices, meat, and other local goods.
- Medeu Ice Skating Rink located at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level making it one of the highest ice skating rinks in the world.
- Panfilov Park & Memorial Complex serves as a memorial to honor those who died during World War II while offering visitors beautiful park areas with fountains & monuments.
- Barys Nur-Sultan – Ice hockey team founded in 1999, based in the capital city of Nur-Sultan but also plays some home games in Almaty. They have won the Kazakhstan Hockey Championship several times and competed in the Kontinental Hockey League.
- FC Kairat – Football club founded in 1954, based in Almaty and one of the most successful clubs in Kazakhstan with numerous domestic titles. They have also competed internationally, reaching the group stages of both UEFA Europa League and Champions League.
- BC Barsy Atyrau – Basketball team founded in 2007, originally based in Atyrau but later moved to Almaty. They play in the Kazakhstani basketball league and have won several titles.
- Altay Volleyball Club – Volleyball club founded under different names since 1970s before settling as Altay VC since 2016. Their men’s and women’s teams compete at national level competitions.
- Astana Arlans Boxing Club – Professional boxing club established by Kazakh businessman Bulat Utemuratov to promote amateur boxing talent from across Kazakhstan under a franchise model competing against other international clubs such as British Lionhearts or Cuba Domadores.
- Kazakhstan National Ice Hockey Team- The national ice hockey team represents Kazakhstan at various international tournaments including Winter Olympics, World Championships etc . It is considered one of the strongest ice hockey teams from Asia with a number of professional players playing for NHL or KHL clubs around the world.
- Kazakhstan National Football Team- The national football team represents Kazakhstan at various international tournaments including World Cup qualifiers etc . Although not very successful yet , it has produced some talented players such as Samat Smakov , Ruslan Baltiev etc who went on to play for foreign clubs.
- Almaty International Film Festival
- Almaty Marathon
- Nauryz (New Year) Festival
- Almaty Food Festival
- Kazakh Traditional Games and Sports Festival
- Silk Road Fashion Week
- Jazzystan Music Festival
- Eurasia International Film Festival
- Astana Ballet Gala in Almaty
- Artbat Fest – electronic music festival
- Beshbarmak is a traditional Kazakh dish that consists of boiled meat, usually lamb or beef, served with flat noodles and onion sauce. Some popular restaurants that serve this dish include Beshbarmak, Kishlak, and Shashlykoff.
- Plov is a rice dish made with meat, usually lamb or beef, carrots, onions and spices. It is a popular Central Asian cuisine that can be found in many restaurants in Almaty such as Plov Center and Chaykhana.
- Lagman is a noodle soup made with vegetables, meat (usually beef), and spices. It is a popular Uyghur cuisine that can be found in many restaurants in Almaty such as Lagman House.
- Manty are steamed dumplings filled with minced meat (usually lamb or beef) and onions; they are often served with sour cream or tomato sauce and are a popular Kazakh cuisine that can be found in many restaurants such as Mantychi.
- Shashlik is grilled skewered meat (usually lamb or beef) marinated in spices like cumin, coriander, garlic salt pepper paprika etc.. It’s a popular Central Asian cuisine available at street vendors or restaurants like Shashlykoff.
- Nauryz kozhe is a traditional Kazakh soup made from boiled wheat grains mixed with milk seasoned to taste; it’s typically served during the spring holiday of Nauryz but also available year-round at some cafes like Dastarkhan.
- Baursaki are small fried dough balls often eaten for breakfast accompanied by honey/jam/condensed milk/cream cheese etc.. You can find them at most local cafes like Kafe Molodezhnyj.
- Samsa are triangular pastries filled with meat or pumpkin along with onions & spices; it’s an Uzbek cuisine that can be found in many cafes such as Samsa House.
- Kazy is a sausage made from horsemeat and served sliced thinly. It’s a traditional Kazakh cuisine that can be found in many supermarkets or restaurants such as Kazy Noodles.
- Chak-chak is a dessert made from fried dough balls coated with honey syrup and shaped into a pyramid. It’s a traditional Tatar cuisine that can be found in many cafes such as Chak-Chak Cafe.
- Panfilov Park is a popular park that features a memorial complex and museum dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War.
- First President’s Park is a large park with walking trails, fountains, and gardens.
- Kok-Tobe Hill is a scenic hilltop park that offers panoramic views of the city, restaurants, and amusement rides.
- Central Park is an urban park that provides playgrounds, sports facilities, and picnic areas.
- Medeu Ice Skating Rink is an outdoor ice rink located in the mountains near Almaty that remains open year-round for skating and hockey enthusiasts.
- Shymbulak Ski Resort is a well-known ski resort situated in the mountains near Almaty that caters to skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities’ lovers.
- Almaty Zoo houses over 4,000 animals from around the world containing rare species such as snow leopards and Siberian tigers.
- Big Almaty Lake – A beautiful lake located in Tian Shan Mountains ideal for hiking or trekking.
Other recreational activities include:
- Hiking in nearby mountains like Zailisky Ala-Too range or Chimbulak Ski Resort area during summer months
- Visiting local spas or hot springs
- Horseback riding tours through scenic countryside
- Kayaking on Ili River or Charyn Canyon
- Cultural tours of historical landmarks such as Auezov House Museum or Abay Opera House
- Shopping at local markets like Green Bazaar or Baraholka Market
