Almaty Travel Guide｜Urban Culture and Surrounding Natural Scenery

From cityscapes to cultural landmarks
From the rugged Charyn Canyon to the majestic Jumbulak Snow Mountain🏔
A springtime journey to Almaty
Let Pandy discover the unique charm of Central Asia

This city was once the capital of Kazakhstan
Witnessing significant historical changes
Today, as the largest metropolis in the country
It is the center of economy, culture, and education
Attracting many tourists with its unique snowy mountain scenery and diverse charm

👉 Recommended City Attractions

1⃣ Green Bazaar
• Features: Located in the city center, full of hustle and bustle and local life
• Shopping recommendations: Freshly baked naan bread, honey, and kumis (fermented mare’s milk), but remember to use your right hand when selecting goods
• Photo spots: Go to the second floor for overhead shots that capture lively scenes
2⃣ Ascension Cathedral
• Architectural style: A Byzantine-style church with magnificent domes and colorful stained glass windows that cast a sacred glow
• Visiting tips: The interior is solemn and sacred, a place for worshippers to pray. Please keep quiet and respect local beliefs during your visit. Outside the church, there are pigeons and horse-drawn carriages, perfect for photos
3⃣ Kok-Tobe Hill
• Best time to visit: Climb Kok-Tobe Hill at sunset to enjoy the soft light bathing the land in warm red hues
• Facilities on the hill: An open zoo, amusement park, and a romantic Ferris wheel. Also home to the famous Almaty TV Tower, 372 meters tall, a city landmark
• Transportation: The cable car🚡 takes about 10 minutes, 💰 round trip costs around 5000 tenge, offering city views; alternatively, you can take a taxi to the foot of the hill and walk up for the scenery

👉 Recommended Surrounding Attractions
1⃣ Jumbulak Snow Mountain
• Activities: Take the cable car straight up to the 3500-meter snow peak. In winter, it’s a premium ski resort; in summer, you can hike and enjoy the stunning views, a full experience. Weekday round-trip cable car 💰 6000 tenge
2⃣ Kolsai Lake
• Features: Known as the "Little Switzerland of Central Asia," with clear lake water reflecting the blue sky and snowy mountains
• Recommendations: Take a boat ride to feel the vastness and tranquility of the lake; or enjoy the lake view while dining at the mountaintop restaurant
3⃣ Charyn Canyon
• Distance and transport: 200 kilometers from Almaty, recommended to drive or join a local tour
• Scenic features: Known as the "Colorado of Central Asia," shaped by billions of years of geological changes into magnificent red rock walls. Follow the trail down to the canyon floor to touch the marks of time and marvel at nature’s craftsmanship

📌 Tips:
✈ Currently, there are direct flights to Almaty from Beijing, Xi’an, Urumqi, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Shanghai
🚉 From Urumqi, buses and trains are also available
📱 Taxi app: Yandexgo, with cash payment option
🚌 Map app: 2GIS, which provides comprehensive bus information