Sightseeing in Almaty

06.08.2014

This morning I meet Nurgul, who is my personal guide for a sightseeing tour through Almaty this day. She shows me around in her city and betrays the nice sights of Almaty to me.

Nurgul and me meet at the International Exhibition Centre Atakent,
which is close to the university campus.

From our meeting point we take a bus to our first sightseeing spot in the southeast of Almaty. It's my first bus ride for only 80 Tenge (which is 0,30 €).

Intercontinental Hotel in Almaty



Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Inside the museum you can see a collection of Kazakh archaeological and modern cultural as well as political artifacts, but also learn a lot about the Kazakh history. (Unfortunately it's not allowed to take pictures inside.)

Nurgul and me



Town Hall at the Republic Square

The name Almaty comes from the Kazakh word алма, which means apple. Once in the surrounding region of Almaty a broad diversity of apples were growing, which still makes Almaty to the city of apples.

Republic Square



The Independence Monument is an obelisk.
On top of the obelisk stands the famous Golden Man
together with the snow leopard.



The obelisk is flanked by various statues and a screen in bronze.
The screen shows the highlights of the Kazakh history.

On the base of the obelisk lies the bronze book of the declaration of sovereignty of Kazakhstan on the 25 October 1990. It tells in Kazakh, Russian and English language to make a wish. Just put your hand in the imprint of the right hand of the president and choose your wish.

Of course I take my wish!

We meet a bride and groom at the monument, which are taking wedding pictures. Nurgul tells me, that you also can make a wish when you see bride and groom. So two wishes for me at one time (:

A small version of the Eiffel tower on the Furmanov street in Almaty.



This colorful house is the oldest house in Almaty.



Nurgul is studying at the german-kazakh university.
The whole sightseeing tour she gives to me in german language.



The Abai opera is directly opposite of the Almaty Hotel on Abai street.



The view from the Alamty Hotel over Almaty
is one of the secret sights of Nurgul.



Just walk in the hotel as if you were a guest,
go up to the top floor and enjoy the view.



Abai opera from above



View to the financial district and the university



Hotel Kazakhstan with the crown









That's me.









The Kazakh-British Technical University at Tole-Bi Street



Zenkov Cathedral in the Panfilov Park.
It is the second tallest wooden building in the world.



The impressive war memorial in the Panfilov Park






The eternal fire of the war memorial






Museum of folk instruments






From the city centre we take the metro back to the south.
The metro was just opened in 2011 and is the only subway in Kazakhstan.



Metro station Жібек Жолы (Zhibek Zholy)



Today there are only seven stations of the metro.
But constructions continue ...



The Almaly station is decorated with lots of apple pictures.



The theater subway station



We get out of the underground at the circus.

At night time Azim takes me to Көк-Төбе (Kok-Tobe).

View from the south-east on Almaty






The big Al-Farabi street



Me with the famous apple at Kok-Tobe






Almaty by night









Azim



You can also go up to Kok-Tobe by cable car.
But it's not far to walk.






Me and the kazakh flag



I ♥ Almaty



Azim and me

Finally I got to know the streets of Almaty! But tomorrow I already have to leave the biggest kazakh city again. Azim and me go to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. So, I have another city to explore.

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