Kazakhstan Tourism

Park in Oskemen is a newly constructed large park that contains a botanical garden, ethnographical exhibition and an exhibition displaying heroes of the Afghan war, World War II and Chernobyl Liquidators along with political leaders. Central Park in Almaty, one of the biggest parks, houses funfair rides, boating rides, pony rides, beer stands, cinema, AquaPark and cafes which are ideal for families to spend their weekends.

Nature Reserve, with its 1319 sq.km area is the great attraction of Kazakhstan. It has a lot of green valleys, snow-capped peaks, rushing rivers and tall glassy glaciers are thrilling and enchanting for any nature lover. The area where the mountain meets the steppe is an especially enchanting place with colourful birds and scenic landscapes.

Astana Nury is the best Azerbaijani restaurant that overlooks the river with excellent service. Plov and shashlyk are its specialties. It is open from 10am to midnight. KokSaray in Shymkent serves excellent Uzbek food. Plov, samsas and andizhansky are the best here. Bakkara in Aktau serves the best salads and tender lamb and pork. It is open from noon to 1am. PitstsaBlyuz in Oskemen offers the best pizzas, salads, ice creams, desserts, breakfasts, cocktails, fresh juices and coffee.  Eldoro in Almaty near Panfilov has international cuisine with a long and varied menu.

Try to eat Beshbarmark, another name for horse meat and pasta, Kazy, which is horse meat sausage, Plov or fried rice with meat and onions, Shish kebab or marinated meat, Laghman or noodles with meat and vegetables, which are the most popular dishes of Kazakhstan. Some traditional beverages are Kumyran; fermented camel’s milk, Kvas; a kind of root beer and Kumiss, fermented mare’s milk.

Svintsovy Dirizhabl in Karaganda is a great place offering live music with top bands. Another fun place in the same area is ‘Elvis’. It offers live jazz, rock and roll and blues; everything you can have with a glass of beer, in the open air, during summer. It is open from 7pm to 3am. State Philharmonica in Almaty offers performances on jazz, organ, symphony and traditional music.

Bar Pivnitsa in Astana and Almaty is ‘a no frill place’ for drinking beer along with meat dishes. It has stone walls, long wooden tables and booths. The Shakespeare Pub in Almaty is a large pub with lively atmosphere. Da Freak in Almaty is the best club frequented by the student community. It is located in Panfilov Park. Another good place in Panfilov Park is Chukotka. Here you can drink and dance your time away.

White water rafting is a major activity on the waters of  the Malaya Ulba, Irtish and Bukhtarma. Trekking is another adventure sport in Tien-Shan Mountains and in the Dzungaria area.

Arasan Baths in Almaty was built in 1980 in the modern Soviet style. It is one of the best bathhouses in the whole of Central Asia. There are separate sections for men and women.

Is the top most tourist attraction of Kazakhstan. Located in Astana, this monument is 97 m high. This is a latticed tower in white that has a huge glass orb at the top. This tower is a representation of the Samruk bird and its golden egg, a local legend.

In Astana is 91 m in height with a bronze statue of President Nazarbaev at its base and a golden eagle at the top.

Central Mosque in Almaty built in 1999 is the largest mosque in the country. It is a white marbled, golden domed and multi-towered mosque that can accommodate 3000 people in its prayer hall. Nur Astana Mosque opened in 2005 is a beautiful four minaret building. It is the second largest mosque not only in Kazakhstan but also in Central Asia. Its prayer hall displays geometrical patterns of gold, red, blue and white. Mangali Mosque in Atyrau is a blue domed modern mosque. It is located on the western side of the public square in Satpaev.

Located in Almaty, this is the most popular museum of Kazakhstan. You can learn about the country’s history from the Bronze Age till the capital was transferred to Astana. Hall no.1 displays archaeological findings and special exhibits of golden adornments belonging to the 6th to 3rd centuries BC.  Hall no.2 has ethnographic displays till the 18th century and the 19th to the 21st century in halls no. 3 and 4.