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About Almaty

City overview

Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, is a historic, cultural, and financial hub nestled in the foothills of the majestic Tien Shan Mountains. The city's name, “Almaty,” is derived from the Kazakh word for “apple,” reflecting its long-standing association with apple cultivation. Known as the “City of Apples,” Almaty holds a special place in the world’s history as the genetic birthplace of the domesticated apple. It is believed that the first wild apples originated here, in the nearby mountains, and gradually spread throughout the world. Historically, Almaty has served as a crossroads of trade and culture, with its strategic position along the ancient Silk Road.

Information

City area682 km²
Populationover 2,500,000 people
State languageKazakh (official), Russian, and widely spoken English
CurrencyTenge (₸)
Time zoneAlmaty operates in the Kazakhstan Time Zone (GMT +5).

Weather

In September in Almaty begins the second favorable season for tourism - together with the retreat of summer heat in the second half of the month.

The average daily air temperature in Almaty in September decreases to comfortable +20...+24 °C, at night it is chilly and most often fresh, about +13 °C. During the month you can observe temperature fluctuations and sometimes sharp.

! For the fourth day of the Forum - the cultural program, it is recommended to wear comfortable footwear and bring warm clothing for the mountains, as temperatures can drop significantly in higher altitudes.

Main Sightseeings in the Almaty city

Locations

№1: Kok Tobe Hill

№1: Kok Tobe Hill

Kok Tobe Park is a popular place for romantic dates and family walks. It is located on the peak of the “Kok Tobe” mountain at an altitude of 1100 meters above sea level. From the city center, you can reach it in just 10 minutes by car, but it is much more interesting to take a ride on the famous cable car, admiring the breathtaking views of the city.

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Main sightseeings outside of the city

Locations

№1: Kolsai Lakes

№1: Kolsai Lakes

The “Pearl of the Tien Shan”, Kolsai Lakes, are located 300 km from Almaty, in the spurs of the Kungei-Alatau ridge. It is also called Kazakh Switzerland. These are three most beautiful mountain lakes surrounded by steep mountain slopes. The lakes are located at different heights and form a kind of cascade. The lower Kolsai Lake is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, the middle one is at an altitude of 2250 meters and the highest one is at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level.

Support for city guests and tourists: +7 727 390 88 86

Almaty Area Code+7 727
PANIKA Lost and Found+7 727 239-55-66
Toll-Free Inquiry Service+7 727 279-07-90
Lost and Found of the Almaty Department of Internal Affairs+7 727 292-70-84

Tourist information centers Visit Almaty

1. Maylina St., 2 (in the building of Airport)2. Zenkov St., 24a (opposite the Ykylas Museum)3. Panfilov Str., 844. Dostyk Ave., 56/3 (behind the Kazakhstan Hotel)5. Timiryazev St., 40/2 (Atakent IEC)6. Orbita-2, 11/3 (First President's Park)7. Omarov St., 76/2 (Kok-Tobe)8. Kerey-Zhanibek khandar str., 465a ("Medeu")9. Dostyk av., 111/1 (next to Royal Tulip hotel)

Transportation in Almaty

TaxisFor convenient city travel, use apps like Uber, Yandex Taxi, or Blue Taxi, which offer quick rides and easy in-app payment options.
Public TransportationFor getting around the city, you can use the Onay app, which allows you to pay for bus and metro rides, as well as track routes and schedules.