Things to do in Talgar District

No. 2 of Ski Resorts in Kazakhstan

Ak Bulak

Ak Bulak is located at the northern foot of the Ili Alatau Mountains in Almaty, Kazakhstan. This ecological leisure area with an altitude of 1,700 meters is famous for its natural landscape with distinct seasons. In spring, wildflowers bloom in the alpine meadows, in summer, the spruce forest forms a natural oxygen bar, in autumn, the birch forest turns golden, and in winter, it turns into a ski resort covered in silver. The winter sports area is planned with graded ski trails, equipped with double chairlifts and magic carpet conveyors. During the non-snow season, some ski trails are converted into all-terrain vehicle experience routes, with off-road obstacles of varying difficulty. There is a nature education center in the resort, which exhibits specimens of plants and animals unique to the Tianshan Mountains. The accommodation area includes woodland cabins and viewing suites, and some rooms are equipped with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows facing the snow-capped mountains. This resort, which combines mountain sports and ecological education, provides a suburban leisure space for urban residents.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Kazakhstan

Shymbulak

Shymbulak is an alpine ski resort near Almaty, Kazakhstan, located in the upper reaches of the Medeu Valley in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, approx. 25 km from the city center. The base of the ski area is at an elevation of approx. 2,260 m, with the upper ski lift station located at Talgar Pass, rising to around 3,200 m. The ski runs have a vertical drop of 900 m, making it one of the largest alpine ski resorts in Central Asia. The ski season runs from November to the following spring, with an average snow depth of approx. 1.5 m. Winter temperatures are usually a few degrees below zero, and the snow quality is dry and firm. This was the venue for the alpine skiing events of the 2011 Asian Winter Games, which led to an overall upgrade. It features gentle slopes for beginners, steep slopes and a snowboard park for advanced skiers, and also offers night skiing. Non-skiers can also have fun: take the three-stage cable car up the mountain from Medeu at the foot of the mountain, and enjoy views of the canyon forests and the city skyline in the distance along the way. The mountain is cool in summer, making it suitable for hiking and mountain biking, with glaciers and alpine meadows nearby. The resort features a hotel as well as several restaurants and cafes.

No. 3 of Ski Resorts in Kazakhstan

Tabagan

Tabagan is a ski and outdoor resort in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Located at the foot of the picturesque Tien Shan Mountains, Tabagan attracts tourists from all over the world with its beautiful natural environment and rich sports facilities. The resort is less than an hour's drive from the center of Almaty, making it an ideal choice for weekend leisure and vacation. The resort is at a high altitude and has abundant snow in winter. The ski season usually lasts from November to April of the following year, providing good conditions for skiing and snowboarding. The resort has many ski slopes suitable for skiers of different levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, you can find a suitable ski slope here. The resort provides ski equipment rental and professional ski courses to ensure that every visitor can enjoy skiing safely and happily. In addition, the resort also has a cable car system to facilitate tourists to quickly reach the top of the mountain and enjoy the magnificent snow-capped mountains.

Mountain Resort «Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skaska»

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Kazakhstan

Big Almaty Lake

Big Almaty Lakeis at an altitude of approx. 2,511 m and is a natural alpine lake in the Tian Shan mountains of Kazakhstan created by seismic activity. The lake is fed primarily by glacial meltwater and is clear and cold, with its color shifting between light green and blue-green depending on the season and light. A dam at the northern end of the lake provides a wide vantage point. Standing on the dam, you can see several snow-capped peaks surrounding the lake basin: Soviet Peak at an altitude of approx. 4,317 m to the southeast, Ozyorny Peak to the south, and Tourist Peak to the southwest, all reflected in the lake water. Take a slow walk along the lakeside trail to capture the changing light and shadows on the water and mountains from different angles. Higher up above the lake sits the domed Tian Shan Astronomical Observatory. It is a drive of approx. 1 hour from the city, heading up along the winding mountain canyon and through stretches of spruce forest. For visitors with good stamina, the entire canyon can also be used as a hiking route. Mountain weather is changeable, and temperatures are significantly lower even in midsummer. Compared to midsummer, the frozen lake in winter offers a different kind of snowy landscape.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Kazakhstan

Ascension Cathedral

Ascension Cathedral, also known as Zenkov Cathedral, stands in Panfilov Park in the center of Almaty. It is built entirely of Tien Shan spruce, stands 56m tall, and features a pale yellow facade accented with white and light green lines, topped with a set of golden onion domes. Most of the building is constructed using mortise and tenon joints, with almost no metal nails, which is quite rare for a structure of this size. The true uniqueness of the cathedral lies in its earthquake-resistant design: just a few years after its completion, a powerful earthquake in 1911 almost leveled the city of Verny, yet it remained almost completely intact. Engineer Zenkov incorporated a wooden frame structure known as an earthquake-resistant basket into the design, allowing the building to flex without breaking during tremors. During the Soviet era, the cathedral was converted into a museum and public office space, and a radio transmitter antenna was even installed on the bell tower, until it was returned to the church in 1995 and resumed services in 1997. Today, when you step inside the cathedral, you can see the iconostasis painted by artist Khludov and walls filled with icons.

Medeu

The Medio Sports Complex is named after it was built in the Medio Scenic Area, 15 kilometers away from the urban area, with an altitude of 1520-1750 meters. From Medeo Snow Mountain, you can take the cable car straight up to Shenbulak Snow Mountain, which can reach a height of 3,200 meters and overlook the panoramic view.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Kazakhstan

Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is located next to Republic Square in Almaty. The three-story building with a blue dome incorporates elements of traditional Kazakh yurts. The museum's history can be traced back to local collections from the 1830s, and it moved into this purpose-built building in 1985. As one of the larger museums in Central Asia, it houses over 300,000 artifacts, covering history from the Bronze Age to the post-independence period after 1991. The permanent exhibition halls are arranged chronologically: the Paleontology and Archaeology Hall displays animal skeletons, petrified wood fossils, as well as unearthed gold artifacts and models of ancient and medieval architecture; the History and Ethnography Hall recreates the nomadic life of the Kazakh people from the 15th to the early 20th century, featuring weapons, armor, traditional clothing, leather goods, jewelry, and carpets, with a fully assembled Kazakh yurt serving as an iconic exhibit; subsequent halls present the history of multi-ethnic settlement, the years of World War II, and the process of independence. The museum's centerpiece is the "Golden Man" (Issyk Golden Man)—a Scythian royal warrior unearthed from the Issyk burial mound on the outskirts of Almaty. His armor is adorned with thousands of hand-engraved gold flakes, and he wears a gilded pointed crown decorated with bird motifs. Today, it is considered one of the national symbols of Kazakhstan; the version on display is a meticulously crafted replica of the original.

No. 5 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Kazakhstan

Ile-Alatau National Park

Ile-Alatau National Park is famous for its magnificent mountain scenery and rich biodiversity, aiming to protect and showcase the unique ecosystems and natural beauty of the Tianshan Mountains. The park covers a vast area and encompasses a variety of landforms, including towering mountains, expansive grasslands, clear lakes, and dense forests. The park features multiple hiking trails suitable for hikers of all levels. These trails not only lead visitors through magnificent natural scenery but also offer opportunities to observe various plants and animals up close. In addition, the lakes and rivers within the park provide an ideal environment for fishing and picnicking. Ile-Alatau National Park not only attracts visitors with its natural beauty but also holds significant cultural and historical value. The park contains several archaeological sites that showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan. Visitors can explore ancient petroglyphs and historical relics here to learn about the local cultural background.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Kazakhstan

28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park

Panfilov Park 28 Warriors Memorial Park was built in the 1870s and was named after the Panfilov Warriors in 1942 to commemorate the heroes of the 316th Division and the 16th Regiment who died in the war against the Nazis in 1941. 28 soldiers from Almaty. When celebrating the 30th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War, the Glory Monument and the Eternal Fire Tower were built. During festivals and anniversaries, many people will lay flowers in front of the monument to commemorate the martyrs.