Alma-Ata

Tourism information, maps, images and more.

Almaty is the former capital and still the largest city in Kazakhstan.  Almaty is the financial, economic, and cultural center of Central Asia. The city boasts a large tourist, student, and expat community, and includes a diverse citizen base of Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, Germans, Poles, Chinese, and many more.

The city is located at the foot of Tien Shan Mountains at the altitude of1500-2000 meters above sea level. Unfortunately, because the city is located in a valley, smog easily accumulates here. However, a little higher in the mountains the air is crystal clear and many people have “dachas” (a small garden or an orchard with a small hut or a house) there. A dacha is not only a source of various fruits and vegetables, it is also a place to relax and enjoy the fresh air.

Sights & Activities

• Turgen Gorge - National preserve. In the gorge that has a depth of 44 km. you can take pleasure from visiting hot springs, waterfalls and plenty of forests. Gorge is famous with its waterfalls and relic Chim-Turgen moss fir-woods
• The 28 Panfilov Heroes Memorial Park - honor the men from Kazakhstan who died on the battlefields of the 2nd World War against Nazi fascism
• Charyn Canyon - the second largest canyon in the world, its forms remind the towers of fairy-tale castle
• Panfilov Park, a beautiful park in the center of the city, featuring Soviet-era architecture and Cobor Cathedral, built without a single nail
• Green Market - an indoor/outdoor labrynth of stalls selling everything from homemade goat cheese or Korean salads to hand-knit woolen mittens and socks and pirated DVDs and CDs

Local food

"Five fingers" - a traditional Kazakh food
"Beshbarmak" - a stew with leaves of noodles and pieces of lamb
"Baurzaki" - heavy, spongy bread dough cooked in deep fat (similar to a donut, but not sweet)
"Plov" - a rice dish with meat and carrots or other vegetables
“Kebab” - made out of chicken or lamb
"Shashlik" (Russian) is the most tasty food, it is not fried, but is grilled over charcoal. Shashlik is popular throughout this part of Central Asia. You can also easily find "doner kebab" or "shaurma" at any number of stands through the city. Just be sure to use the stands with the most customers - it is often the best food, and it is freshly prepared 

Touring Options
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