[2025 Almaty Attraction] Travel Guide for Big Almaty Lake (Updated Feb)

Big Almaty Lake is a true gem in the Tian Shan mountains. Just a short drive from Almaty, it offers breathtaking views of turquoise waters against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit: • Best Time to Visit: Summer and early autumn offer the best views and warmer weather, but the snowy landscape in winter is also magical. • Getting There: A car or tour from Almaty is ideal, but if you’re adventurous, you can hike part of the way for stunning valley views. • Pack Essentials: Layers for changing temperatures, food, and water are a must since there are no facilities nearby. • Respect Nature: Swimming isn’t allowed to preserve the lake’s purity, so admire its beauty from the shore. Hashtags to include: #BigAlmatyLake #Kazakhstan #NatureLovers #TravelTips #HikingAdventures #Wanderlust#voyagevibes #100waysoftravel #travel #naturalwonders #autumnbeauty #voyagevibes

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world, bordering Xinjiang, China. It has always been a familiar and unfamiliar presence in my heart. My understanding of it is not only based on the Central Asian history I read in books, and that it is one of the member states of the former Soviet Union, but also that some of its land used to belong to the historical territory of China. As the largest member state of the former Soviet Union, here you can not only see modern skyscrapers and experience the ethnic customs of Central Asia, but also see many marks left by the Soviet Union. Travel guide 1 Kazakhstan offers Chinese citizens visa-free entry for 14 days in Asia. 2 Phone cards can be purchased at Almaty Airport, Almaty International Airport. 3 Kazakhstan's overall consumption is not high, and the consumption in Almaty is equivalent to that of second-tier cities in China. The public transportation system in Almaty is relatively developed. There is a subway line that does not go to the airport, but you can take a few stops to experience it. 5 Always use the app to call a taxi. Online payment and cash payment are supported. 6 Hotels can be booked in advance, it is recommended to book in the city center area. 7. Russian and Kazakh are commonly used in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 8. In Kazakhstan, besides tasting the characteristic cuisine of the Kazakh ethnic group, you can also enjoy many authentic Russian and Chinese dishes. Itinerary plan Dayl Urumqi to Yining, Xinjiang - Yining, Ili, Xinjiang, 9:10-14:40, Yining to Horgos, Horgos, Ili. Yining to Khorgos takes 2 hours. Buy tickets at the Dingmen Port Passenger Station for 35 yuan. Day2 Khorgos Free Activities Horgos International Passenger Terminal Day3 You can visit the following attractions, the first four of which are within walking distance. 1 Altyn Emel Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church located in Panfilov Park in the city center. 2 Green Bazzar. Greenbrier Valley Airport. 3 Central Mosque is a religious place where people worship, and female visitors are required to wear headscarves. 4 Albert Street 5 Koko Tobi Park. 6 National Museum of China, National Museum of Kazakhstan 7 Independent Square 8 National Opera House, opera or ballet starts at 6pm, tickets are less than 100 yuan, and performance schedules can be checked in advance. Day4 In the early morning, depart for the Qiongbrak Ski Resort in the suburbs and experience the largest ski resort in Central Asia. Ski equipment can be rented. Take a bus in the afternoon. Outside the city lies the beautiful Lake Almaty, the most beautiful lake in the Ili River Valley. Day5 Carpool to the breathtaking Aljin Ayimu'er Desert Park, a stunning desert geological park! Day6 Return trip - Charter to the port - Khorgos - Urumqi

Big Almaty Lake is about 15 kilometers from Almaty city, Kazakhstan. It is an important freshwater source of Almaty city, so you can't swim there. You can only take pictures on the shore. You can get to Big Almaty Lake by taxi, which is the easiest and cheapest way. For friends who go in a group, the taxi fare is 3000 - 4000 tenge one way. Or you can hire a taxi through Yandex.

I just trekked yesterday it’s awesome experience Big Almaty Lake is located at an altitude of 2511m on the upper side of the Almaty canyon. The Almaty River runs through it. It is located 2.511m above sea level. There are three peaks Sovetov (4,317 m), Ozyorny (4,110 m), and Turist (3,954 m) surrounding the lake, which can be seen from the northern end of the dam. The lake is made up of glacial water and is 1.6 km long, 1 km wide, and approximately 40m deep. Turist, a 3,681m high pyramid, is the crest of Bolshoi Almaty Peak and is visible from the city center. #kazakhstan #almaty #Biglakealmaty #Imindian

Big Almaty Lake is a lake located in the southern city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is known as the "Pearl of Almaty". It is located about 30 kilometers from Almaty, 2,511 meters above sea level, 1.6 kilometers long, 1 kilometer wide, and 40 meters deep. It is a lake surrounded by steep mountains and is covered in white snow almost all year round. During different seasons, Big Almaty Lake gives different feelings and beauty. When I went, it was in April, when the snow had not melted, so I saw a white lake full of snow, which was beautiful in a different way. But it was a pity that I did not see the lake in summer because the special thing about this lake is that during the summer, the color of the sea water is different every day, whether it is emerald green, turquoise blue, or light blue. You can drive to Big Almaty Lake, but during this time, the road has been closed to build a dam to prevent mudslides. There is no date set when it will open, so private cars and public vehicles are prohibited from entering. Only cars with permission can enter. But it is not beyond my desire. We contacted a private tour with a valid license. It can take you up to Big Almaty Lake without having to walk. You can go every season throughout the year. With an experienced English-speaking guide who will pick you up at your hotel and take care of you throughout the tour. It doesn't take long to drive to the lake from Almaty. We can enjoy the view along the way. The car that takes us up the mountain must be a 4WD because the side road is quite steep. In conclusion, Big Almaty Lake is another must-visit destination. If you miss it, stop by Almaty. #almaty #travelabroad #Kazakhstan

Almaty is located in the Alatau Mountains outside of Ili, and was once a territory of China during the Qing Dynasty. After the establishment of Kazakhstan, it was also the capital of the country for a period of time. Due to the abundant production of apples in the suburbs, Almaty is also known as the "Apple City". 🍎 As the largest member state of the former Soviet Union, here you can not only see modern skyscrapers and experience the ethnic customs of Central Asia, but also see many marks left by the Soviet era. 🏢 Recommended attractions are as follows, it is suggested to take two to three days for sightseeing. 📝 Day one, you can visit the following attractions, the first four are within walking distance. 🚶🏻 1️⃣Ascension Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church located in Panfilov Park in the city center. It is the second tallest wooden structure church in the world and the only surviving ground building after the 1911 Almaty earthquake. After the renovation of the interior a few years ago, visitors can now enter and visit the church. It is also recommended to visit the 28 Panfilov Heroes Memorial in the park.⛪️ 2️⃣Green Bazzar is a traditional market where local residents purchase food and daily necessities. Various freshly squeezed fruit juices can be tasted in the market. 🍇 3️⃣️Central Mosque is a religious place where people worship, and female visitors are required to wear headscarves. 🕌️ 4️⃣️Albert Street is a typical shopping street with music performances and shops selling oil paintings on the side of the street. It's a great place to stroll around and have a cup of coffee in your leisure time. 🏞️ 5️⃣️Take the cable car from the foot of Kok Tobe Park to see the panoramic view of Almaty and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. It is also a great place to watch the sunset, and it is recommended to arrive around 4pm. If the cable car is not in operation, you can purchase a bus ticket at the front desk to go up the mountain. 🌄 6️⃣️The Kazakhstan Hotel is located near the entrance of Kok Tobe and has always been the most luxurious hotel in Kazakhstan during the Soviet era. The exterior design is very unique, and if you like the Soviet architectural style, you can take a walk and enjoy it. 🏨 On the second day, you can visit the following attractions 🚶🏻 1️⃣The National Museum of China mainly displays the ancient and modern history of China, with not many cultural relics but worth spending one or two hours to understand the culture of China. 🏛️ 2️⃣️Independence Square, a memorial square built after the independence in 1999, is a ten-minute walk from the museum. 📷 3️⃣️The National Art Museum has unexpectedly diverse collections of paintings, sculptures, and crafts, including a Chinese porcelain exhibition hall. 🖼️ 4️⃣️The National Opera House starts opera or ballet performances at 6pm, with ticket prices under 100 yuan. You can check the performance schedule in advance on gatob.kz. 💃🏻 Additional recommendations are as follows 📝 1️⃣Almaty Metro Station🚇 2️⃣️Various buildings left over from the Soviet era 🏠 3️⃣️National Circus🎪 4️⃣️Qiongubulake Ski Resort in the suburbs 🎿 5️⃣️Outside the city, the great Almaty Lake 🌊

MOUNTAINS AND SNOW!! Am i in Switzeland?? for me, i see no difference! haha, so let me introduce you the best city in Kazakhstan, the place where I came from! Actually i was born in small town, and i have never seen our mountains and never tried skiing, Snowboard and other funny hiking entertainments! So then best friend of me, meet me in airport and we went directly to the mountains!!! Surely made some photos of the most touristic place , where I became a tourist too😄😉