Abay State Opera & Ballet
Opened in 1932 and was named after poet, composer, and philosopher Abay Qunanbayuli. This magnificent building is both important in its own architecture, but also in the many Kazakh stars it has produced.
Almaty
The largest and most cosmopolitan city in the country, in a beautiful setting at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, Almaty has the best range of places to eat and the most vibrant nightlife in Kazakhstan, and it makes an excellent base for exploring the attractions of the wider region.
Altay Mountains
The Altai mountains are divided between Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan. It's a glorious place to be, with natural life undisturbed by the people that live in these mountains.
Barakholka flea market
This huge, crowded flea market is a mix of Uzbeks, Chinese, Uyghurs and others who come here to sell everything from animals, fridges and cars to fur hats, jeans and shoes, at very good prices.
Tamgaly Petroglyphs
Petroglyphs within the Archaeological Landscape of Tamgaly is the best researched and documented site of rock art in Central Asia. It provides insight into the culture of the traditional steppes civilisations of Central Asia. The site also includes ancient settlements, bural sites and sacred sites.
Turkistan
Kazakhstan's greatest architectural monument and its most important site of pilgrimage. The mausoleum of the first great Turkic Muslim holy man, Kozha Akhmed Yasaui, was built by Timur in the late 14th century on a grand scale.
