Almaty is a sunshiny city, surrounded by greenery, with wide streets, beautiful buildings, numerous parks and gardens. 150 year old rich history is reflected in many sightseeing attractions, historical monuments of culture and history, in contrast architecture of the city from the ancient buildings in the style of a serf to ultramodern high-rise complexes. Almaty is located in the foothills of Zailyskiy Alatau, which includes Tien Shan mountains - one of the highest mountain ranges in the world.
In 8-10 centuries the territory of modern Almaty housed several small villages of Saks and Usuns tribes. One of them was allegedly called Almaty.In the beginning of the 13th century, this region being located on the Silk Road, suffered from a devastating Mongol invasion. After them only a small part survivedfrom Almaty, settled and inhabited by a semi-Kazakh villages. In 1854 a fortification was built on the bank of the Little Almatinka, which was named Zailiysky and later Vernyi. City began to develop rapidly and gradually became an industrial center. Male and female schools, trade schools and parish, and later male and female high school had been opened in the city. Muslim mosques operated Muslim schools.
In 1921 Vernyi was recalled Alma-Ata, which is translated from Kazakh as the "Father of Apples". In 1927, Alma-Ata became the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. The city became heavily built up and modernlyequipped. Profitable and safe location of Alma-Ata has led to the fact that since the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the city became a place of evacuation of industrial enterprises from other regions of the USSR. This paved the line railways. All this led to a sharp rise of the city's economy.
In the beginning of 90's the soviet name "Alma-Ata" has been changed to correct name, from the standpoint of the Kazakh language version of "Almaty", which means "apple". Almaty is the first capital of Independent Kazakhstan. For nearly 70 years it has worthy held high status of the main of cities of Kazakhstan. But today, with the transfer of the capital to Astana, Almaty remains the scientific, cultural, historical and industrial center of the country. Kazakhstan’s pride, Almaty, now called "southern capital" of the Republic.
Almaty is a center of culture and art of the country, leading theatrical art, museums and library organizations of the country concentrated here. Today there are 14 theaters and 25 museums in Almaty.
Almaty has always been a central city for various festivals, the city is even called a festival capital of the country. Each festival takes place on a large scale. Festivals held various music genres: jazz, rock festivals, vintage festivals. Even festival of ice-cream was held here, pleasing both adults and small sweet tooth.
Park of 28 Panfilov Heroes
Park of 28 Panfilov Heroes was laid out on May 8, 1975 located in the heart of the city of Almaty. There is Ascension Cathedral on its territory - a wooden building in 1907 with the height of 56 meters, withstood a powerful 10-magnitude earthquake without damage. There is the Memorial of Glory not far from the church, which captures images Panfilov, covering breast walls of the Kremlin, as well as images of soldiers giving sworn of defenders of the Motherland and the soldiers, trumpeting about the Victory. Completion of the Memorial of Glory is the Eternal Flame.
Medeo
Sight of southern capital Almaty – Medeo skating-rink has world fame. Medeo is the most high-mountain sport complex in the world, fantastic palace complies with landscape of the clove at height of 1961 meters above sea level. Mild climate of the stow, appropriate level of solar radiation, low atmospheric pressure, no wind conditions, pure mountain water that is used to prepare ice of the skating-rink provided him with excellent quality and created perfect conditions to achieve high sports results. More than 120 world records have been made here.
High-mountain skating-rink is wonderful in any weather. You can admire its beauty also from the high point, where you will be elevated by popular climbing stairs that was built on hillside of Mokhnatka. From the city it just looks like sidehill covered with dense woods, hence the name. Monastery grotto was located here at the beginning of past century. To the present day pilgrims come here and arrange religious services.
Ice skating at the weekend has become good tradition not only for residents, but also for guests of Almaty for many years.
Kok-Tube
Kok-Tube is the highest geographical point of Almaty, as well as a meeting place of friends, walking of lovers, family holidays and just a pleasant pastime. A fountain of desires "Apple" is the first which greets guests at Kok-Tobe. The tower of 350-meter towering at the foot of the Kok-Tobe. If counted from the sea level, the tower is the tallest in the world.
Circus
Almaty circus - is not just a beautiful and modern building, it is primarily a professional, talented and friendly team of circus artists who are famous all over the world. Ranks the gold winners were awarded to gymnasts and equestrian acrobatic group "Nomad" at international festivals. Almaty circus team was established in 1970. And in 1972, the circus was granted its own building in Almaty, and after that it began to hold regular performances of Kazakh circus artists. The outward of the circus building combines features of modern shapes and lines and traditional cultural traditions of Kazakhstan.
Zoo
Almaty zoological park is a place where people come with their families and friends to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily household. Zoo amazes with not only variety of exotic animals, but also with those who for centuries lived on the lands of Kazakhstan, for example, the Przewalski horse and snow leopard.
Botanical garden
Botanical garden was laid in 1932 and covers an area of 108 hectares. The collection of hundreds of varieties of garden roses, dozens of varieties of peonies, asters, tulips, lilacs, and a variety of trees and other plants, including medicinal and fruit crops.
While walking you can admire rose garden, grove, pine grove. The highlight of the garden is a greenhouse exposure, including several sections where over 1000 spieces of plants - palms, bananas, bamboos, cacti, tropical water and other forms are presented.
Chimbulak:
Chimbulak is skiing resort in Almaty situated 2,230m above sea level. Skiers can reach the Talgar Pass (3,163m above sea level) and a 3,000m-long downhill piste by a cable car. Further, you can go for mountain climbing and hiking which offers some breathtaking views of Alpine routes
Charyn canyon:
An 80 km Canyon located on the Charyn River, Charyn Canyon is also popular as the “little brother of the Grand Canyon”. It is the second largest canyon in the world. One part of the Canyon is covered with unusual rock formations and is known as the Valley of Castles. The Canyon is engraved by the Charyn River into a flat barren steppe that stretches itself 175 km East of Almaty.
Svyato-Voznesensky Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral of Holy Ascension):
Made of wood and constructed without nails, the Zenkov Cathedral is one of the bare Tzarist-era buildings to endure the 1911 earthquake. A unique wooden building of cathedral is a beautiful example of Orthodox Church architecture. The walls of this multi-domed church have been painted with sharp colours and the main chapel walls are covered with murals and gilt-edged icons.
Central Mosque:
Central Mosque is the biggest mosque in Kazakhstan. This blue turquoise dome mosque has become the central building of Islam in Almaty. It is built with the style of Central Asian Mosques and has 5 graceful minarets, all with blue domes. The famous Green Bazaar and Almaty's Arbat are located near it.
Tamgaly-Tas
Tamgaly-Tas is located near the river Ili in 120 km. to the North from Almaty on the way to Bakanas. Tamgaly-Tas is translated from Kazakh “stones with signs” or “images (petroglyphs) on the stones”, and in public they are more known as “written rocks”. On the right shore of the river Ili there about 1000 of different rock paintings that date from the late Middle Ages. They are petroglyphs , images of idols, Buddhist notes, among which the most interesting paintings are three Buddhist idols. Under the drawings the sacred text in Sanskrit, dating from the XII century is carved: “Om mane padmehum” (“snow jewel in the lotus” or “Blessed be the born from a lotus”). The inscriptions on the rocks are on the Tibetan and Kalmyk languages.
There is a legend that in X century, when one of the Buddhist missions stopped on the river bank Ili during the march to Semirechye, there was an earthquake and a large rock piece fell on the earth. This incident was considered as a sign of necessary return to India. They cutthree images of Buddha on the rock piece. One can see other pictures of Buddha on the adjoining rocks.
According to another legend the inscriptions were written by the Kalmyks in “todorkhoy nomyn bichig” (“clear literary script”), that was created by Zaya Pandita Ogtorguyna in 1648 and was used more than three centuries by the Mongols, who carved the images of Buddha.
The Monument of Independence
The Monument of Independence is erected in the Republic Square, at the intersection of Baiseitova street and Satpaev street. The monument of art. It is included into the list of monuments of republican importance (in accordance with the resolution of the 12th session of Maslikhat of the 2nd convocation, September 26, 2001). Authors of the project: supervisor Sh. Valikhanov; sculptors A. Zhumabaev, N. Dalbaev, A. Boyarlin, M. Mansurov, K. Suranchiev, K. Satybaldin; architects K. Zharylgapov, K. Montakhaev; constructor S. Kalamkarov; builder A. Ermegiyaev. Monument was erected in 1996-1998 The complex represents the complete work of art that synthesizes architecture, sculpture and texts of sayings of outstanding scientists and state figures.The monument is installed on a semicircular stylobate the diameter of which is 28 meters and which is situated in the centre of a paved round platform with 46 metres in its diameter. The exposition of the complex’s territory is stretched horizontally on 180 metres. The composition’s centre is a vertical plastic sculpture 28 meters in height, reminding relief kulpitases (historical kazakh statues) of Mangishlak. It is crowned with «Golden Man » (6 meters in height) - the ruler who drives a winged leopard in the standing position and symbolizes the firm government on the Kazakh earth. This image is recreated on the basis of studying the concrete archeological finds in a barrow of Issyk near Almaty where a sovereign of saks (VIII-IV centuries BC) was buried in smart clothes with regalias and attributes of the supreme power. (Its style of clothing, gold ornaments on it are the masterpieces of world art, inspired by the products of the human genius).