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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Almaty

7 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Updated February 22, 2019

Unusual Attractions in Almaty

Almaty, Kazakhstan

The Last Wild Apple Forests

Granny Smiths and Fujis can both be traced back to Kazakhstan, where apples still grow wild.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Big Almaty Lake

A brilliant turquoise lake in the mountains.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Ascension Cathedral

In Kazakhstan, a colorful cathedral with many lives once survived the most powerful earthquake in the region.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Zelionyj Bazaar

This sprawling market is a one-stop shop for traditional Kazakh foods, from mare’s milk to sheep’s head.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Beatles Statue of Almaty

Beatlemania is still going strong... at least in Kazakhstan.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Medeu

This Soviet-era athletic and recreation facility is the highest ice skating rink in the world.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Statue of Panfilov's 28 Guardsmen

This Soviet statue is based on a piece of propaganda that's been elevated to national myth.

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Almaty

Almaty, Kazakhstan

The Last Wild Apple Forests

Granny Smiths and Fujis can both be traced back to Kazakhstan, where apples still grow wild.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Zelionyj Bazaar

This sprawling market is a one-stop shop for traditional Kazakh foods, from mare’s milk to sheep’s head.

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Guided Tours of Almaty

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The Silk Road of Central Asia

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Soviet History 2

Communist Monuments 1

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