Almaty
Almaty is located in the southeast of Kazakhstan. Its population is 1.5 million. Almaty remains the largest financial, economic and cultural center of Central Asia. It accommodates numerous business centers, theaters, museums, art galleries, exhibition halls and countless modern entertainment complexes (movie theaters, casinos, nightclubs, parks, restaurants, cafes etc.)
Almaty is the former capital of Kazakhstan situated in the south-east of Kazakhstan, Almaty was founded in 1854 as a Russian frontier fort and today is Central Asia's most cosmopolitan city with a population of approximately 2,000,000 people, having a wealth of shops, restaurants, hotels and casinos. Formerly known as Alma Ata, for its abundance of apple orchards, it lies between the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains and the plains. Since independence in 1991 , the city has experienced a significant transformation from its sudden exposure to western markets. Almaty, formerly the capital of Kazakhstan, remains the business, financial and cultural center of the country.
Almaty is a cosmopolitan city that boasts of some of the best restaurants, hotels and museums in Central Asia. Russian and Kazakh are the two major languages spoken in Almaty, although many people speak English. This city is located in the shadow of the West Tian Shan Mountains
The dam and Medeo stadium
Medeo
The southern capital has five stadiums and the high-altitude Medeo sports complex featuring a unique ice skating-rink located at 1,700m above sea level. This is where world records have been set many times by the world's top skaters. At weekends Medeo is a popular skating spot for residents and visitors alike. Almaty Central Stadium can host 32,000 spectators, near the field and track stadium and a state-of-the-art winter swimming pool.
Chimbulak
A short ride on a smooth highway across the dike will take you to the 2,230m-high Chimbulak ski resort and the nearby hotel resort. A 1,500m-long cable car takes skiers to the Talgar Pass (3,163m above sea level) to a 3,000m-long downhill piste. From Chimbulak the road continues up to popular mountain climbing and hiking spots famous for its technical alpine routes and breathtaking views.
Kok-tobe
Start your discovery of the mountains around Almaty with a ride by cable car to the city's highest point - Kok-Tobe (the Blue Hill) 1,130m above sea level. It offers a splendid panorama of the mountain ranges and city. It is especially beautiful at night when Almaty is glittering with lights. The cableway runs over the old city and its gardens. Locals call it 'Compote' because its streets are named after fruits.
Big Almaty Lake
Big Almaty Lake is set high up in a gorge of the Bolshaya Almatinka river, 2,511 meters above sea level and 28,5 km south of Almaty. It lies in a hollow like a gleaming mirror, surrounded on all sides by majestic peaks. Three main peaks tower above the lake and can be seen from the northern end of the dam: Sovetov (4,317 m) to the south-east, Ozyorny (4,110 m) to the south, further up the river valley, and the forested slopes of Turist (3,954 m) to the south-west. West of Turist is the crest of Bolshoi Almatinski Peak, a 3,681-m-high pyramid, which is visible from the city center. Fed by glacier water, the lake is 1.6 km long, almost a kilometer wide and 40 m deep. Higher up above the pale blue chalice of the lake is the domed Tien-Shan Astronomical Observatory, in a very ancient glacier valley 2 km from the lake and at an altitude of 2,700 m. Walk another 8 km and you will reach the Cosmic Rays Research Station at 3,300 m, near the Zhosylkezen pass.
Charyn Canyon
The Charyn Canyon is one of the most exotic places you could visit. The strange forms left by erosion and weathering created an unreal fairyland of weird sandstone sculptures – the Valley of Castles, Witches’ Gorge, and so on. The canyon extends for 154 km NE-SW along the Charyn River, one of the deepest rivers of the northern Tien-Shan (193 km east of Almaty). The steep canyon slopes, columns and arches rise to heights of 150-300 m. The depth of the canyon has preserved a rare ash tree that has survived the Ice Age. Nowadays is also grows in some rare areas.
There are many excellent places in Almaty which you can visit at leisure...Such as: museums, the huge republic square, the Holy Ascension Church, Central State Museum, beautiful theatres, trip up the nearby mountains to Chimbulak, Medeo & etc…
For Kazakh food, song, and dance all in one, this restaurant is the place to go. They have a wide assortment of dishes to choose from, both Kazakh and international cuisine. In some of them You can listen Kazakh songs played with traditional instruments.
Nightlife of Almaty is very efficient. There are pub and bars, night clubs and casino. Choose wherever you want to go. The architecture of night Almaty is amazing.
You can visit numerous theatres of different genres, such as :drama, opera, ballet, modern & etc. For example, Almaty's Ballet Theater has just been redesigned and looks quite beautiful. The ballet cast a spell on the public and the orchestra is just fabulous.
Abai Opera and Ballet Hall
For additional information, please see www.eco-tourism.kz
