🇰🇿Off-the-beaten-path visa-free travel destination Kazakhstan (Part 2)
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 🌊