Kökshetaū, Kazakhstan
Region: Kökshetaū is located in the Akmola Region
Geographic Coordinates: 53.283300, 69.383300
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 30.0°C (-40°F to 86°F)
Climate: Cold winters and warm summers with moderate precipitation throughout the year in Kökshetaū, Kazakhstan.
Population: 165153
Language: Kazakh
Kökshetaū, Also known as Kokshetau, Is a city located in the northern part of Kazakhstan. It is the administrative center of Akmola Region and has a population of approximately 150, 000 people. The city is situated on the shores of Lake Saryarka and surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests. The history of Kökshetaū dates back to ancient times when it was inhabited by nomadic tribes. In the Middle Ages, It became an important trading center on the Silk Road connecting Europe and Asia.
Later on, During the Soviet era, Kökshetaū became an industrial hub with a focus on agriculture and food processing. Today, Kökshetaū is a modern city with well-developed infrastructure and numerous cultural attractions. One of its main landmarks is the Central Mosque which was built in 2002 and can accommodate up to 3, 000 worshippers at once. Another popular destination for tourists is Lake Burabay which is located just outside the city limits and offers stunning views of crystal clear water surrounded by lush green forests.
In addition to natural beauty spots like Lake Burabay or nearby Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve with its diverse flora & fauna (including flamingos), Kökshetaū has several museums that showcase local history & culture such as Akmolinsk Regional Museum or Abai Cultural Center dedicated to famous Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbayev. The local cuisine in Kökshetaū reflects traditional Kazakh dishes such as beshbarmak (boiled meat served with noodles) or kuyrdak (fried lamb liver & kidneys).
The city also hosts several annual festivals that celebrate local traditions such as Nauryz – Kazakh New Year – or Sabantuy – Tatar holiday marking end-of-harvest season – where visitors can enjoy folk dances & music performances while tasting delicious food from different regions of Kazakhstan. Kökshetaū is also known for its educational institutions, Including Kokshetau State University named after Shokan Ualikhanov who was a prominent Kazakh scientist & ethnographer. The university offers various programs in fields such as engineering, Economics, Medicine, And social sciences.
Overall, Kökshetaū is a vibrant city that combines the rich history of its past with modern amenities and cultural attractions. It is an ideal destination for those seeking to explore the natural beauty of Kazakhstan or learn about its fascinating culture and traditions.
- Mount Kokshe: A popular spot for hiking and trekking.
- Abylai Khan Museum: A museum dedicated to the life and achievements of Kazakh leader Abylai Khan.
- Regional Museum of Local Lore: Displays exhibits on the history and culture of the region.
- Botanical Garden: Home to a variety of plant species from around Kazakhstan.
- Abay Park: A beautiful park with walking paths, fountains, and sculptures.
- The Central Mosque: One of the largest mosques in Kazakhstan with stunning architecture.
- The Palace of Culture named after Saken Seifullin: Offers various cultural events such as concerts, theater performances and exhibitions.
- Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve – a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to a variety of rare bird species including flamingos.
- Taukum Desert – one can take camel rides or go on jeep safaris through this vast desert.
- Burabay National Park – known for its scenic beauty featuring lakes, forests, hills & valleys.
- Oil and Gas: Kökshetaū is situated in the Atyrau Oblast, a significant oil-producing region of Kazakhstan. As a result, the city has numerous oil and gas firms operating within its borders.
- Agriculture: The area surrounding Kökshetaū boasts fertile soil, making agriculture a crucial industry in the region. Wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, and other crops are cultivated here.
- Mining: The city also has mining operations for coal and iron ore.
- Manufacturing: Several manufacturing plants in Kökshetaū produce goods such as textiles, building materials, food products (such as sugar), and consumer goods.
- Transportation: Due to its location on the border with Russia and proximity to major highways connecting Central Asia with Russia and Europe beyond it serves as an important transportation hub for both people and goods.
- Tourism: While not yet a major industry tourism plays an increasingly important role due to its proximity to Lake Balkhash National Park which contains unique flora & fauna including snow leopards among other endangered species; it also has popular hunting grounds for big game animals like wild boar or deer etcetera making it an attractive destination especially during hunting season.
- The city was established in 1824 as an essential trade hub on the Silk Road.
- During World War II, Kökshetaū was home to several factories that produced equipment for the Soviet army.
- In 1955, a major earthquake struck the region, causing significant damage to the city and its surrounding areas.
- The renowned Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbayev lived in Kökshetaū for much of his life and is buried there.
- The city is also famous for its stunning natural scenery, which includes Lake Shalkar and Mount Kokshe.
- In recent years, Kökshetaū has become an important center for education and research, with several universities and scientific institutes located in the area.
- Notable individuals from Kökshetaū include Olympic medalist Olga Rypakova (triple jump), singer Zhanar Dugalova, and politician Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (former President of Kazakhstan).
- Kokshetau Regional Museum of Local Lore
- Abay Kazakh State Academic Drama Theater
- Abylai Khan Memorial Complex
- Kokshetau National Park
- Altyn Emel National Park
- Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve
- Shokan Valikhanov Museum
- The House-Museum of the writer Mukhtar Auezov in Kokshetau
- The Palace of Culture named after Saken Seyfullin in Kokshetau
- The Monument to Abay Kunanbayev in the city center
- Nauryz is a traditional Kazakh New Year celebration that occurs on March 21st every year. It is a festival of spring and renewal that involves dancing, music, food, and other cultural activities.
- Kokshe Fest is an annual festival held in Kökshetaū that celebrates the city’s history and culture. The festival features traditional Kazakh music and dance performances, local cuisine and crafts exhibitions.
- Day of the City takes place on the last weekend of August every year when Kökshetaū celebrates its founding anniversary with various activities such as concerts, sports competitions, fireworks display among others.
- International Film Festival Shaken’s Stars occurs annually in October to celebrate Kazakh cinema through film screenings from across Central Asia.
- Sabantuy is a Tatar celebration which marks the end of spring sowing season with horse racing competitions among other festivities such as dancing and feasting on traditional dishes like pilaf (plov).
- Beshbarmak – a traditional dish made with boiled meat (usually lamb or beef) and served on top of flat noodles.
- Shashlik – grilled skewered meat (usually lamb or beef) served with vegetables and bread.
- Kazy – a type of sausage made from horsemeat.
- Baursak – small fried dough balls that are often served as a snack or dessert.
- Lagman – a noodle soup dish with vegetables and meat.
Some popular restaurants in Kökshetaū, Kazakhstan include:
- Kishlak Restaurant – serves traditional Kazakh dishes such as beshbarmak and shashlik.
- Cafe Zaman – offers a mix of Kazakh, Russian, and European cuisine.
- Rostik’s Fried Chicken – an international fast-food chain that serves fried chicken and other fast-food items.
- Saryarka Restaurant Complex- offers various cuisines including Chinese, Italian, Turkish etc
- Tanirbergenov Restaurant- serves local Kazakh food like beshbarmak , kuyrdak etc
- Central Park – a large park with a lake, walking paths, and playgrounds.
- Gorky Park – another popular park with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and other rides.
- Abay Park – a smaller park with green spaces, benches, and sculptures.
- Kokshetau Zoo – home to various animals such as tigers, bears, wolves etc.
- Kokshetau Botanical Garden – A beautiful botanical garden that houses different species of plants from around the world
- Ski resort Kokshe – It is one of the most popular skiing resorts in Kazakhstan which offers skiing facilities during winters
- Ice Palace Barys – An ice rink for skating enthusiasts where they can enjoy their favourite sport all year round
- Kokshetau Circus – A circus where you can enjoy amazing performances by various artists from around the world
