Located in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is an emerging tourism destination like most country around it as well. A country that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is today a place with a rich heritage, ancient monuments, communist relics and everything in between. To a large extent, Kazakhstan is one of the lesser-visited countries in this part of the world. Most travelers are familiar with the best Asian cities to visit and the safest Asian countries to travel to but most people are not aware of Kazakhstan!
This is however, changing with passaging time, as the country has steadily emerged as an important tourism destination in the region.
If you happen to be traveling to Kazakhstan soon, it will be one of the most memorable places you’ll visit with family things in your life.
Here are some interesting activities to look forward to when you finally arrive in Kazakhstan.
1. Visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome
If there is one thing that kids love, it would be Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Baikonur Cosmodrome is one of the most active places for rocket launches.
Used by the Russian space program and previously the Soviet space program, Baikonur is a mainstay in the global space industry even today. Besides rocket launches, this place was also at one point a secret missile testing site.
2. Visit the Last Wild Apple Forests
There was a time when a vast expanse of land in Kazakhstan was covered with wild apple forests.
This has however come down drastically due to human activities. While much of it has been lost, one small patch of it remains in a place called Almaty. You will want to visit here with your kids.
3. Check out the Palace of Peace & Reconciliation
This is by far one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Kazakhstan. Designed by the famed British architect, Norman Foster, it is a place that is designed to represent the entire world’s many faiths.
Designed in the form of a large pyramid, it is today a famous tourist destination in the entire country.
4. Visit the Caspian Sea
Located near the western fringe of the country is the Caspian Sea. It is one of the largest seas in all of Asia. Today, it is a major source of trade, energy, fishing and recreation for the many countries that border it, among which happens to be Kazakhstan.
In addition to this, many guided tours are frequently conducted in the region and one can learn more about the sea and everything else in and around it.
5. See the Almaty Lake
The Almaty Lake is one of the most pristine and iconic lakes in Kazakhstan. Locate in a fairly remote location; the Almaty Lake is one of the most beautiful and scenic tourist destinations in all of Kazakhstan.
The lake itself is located in the Altai Mountains and about 2511 meters above sea level.
The lake can be visited at all times of the year, but is best visited during the spring or early winter. Spring is also a great time to check out the place since the entire region is typically covered by greenery and colorful wild flowers. But, if you would like to see a frozen view of the lake, then plan to visit in the winter.
6. Go Skiing in Shimbulak
Shymbulak is a beautiful mountain town in Kazakhstan, famous for its lovely skiing slopes.
The town is located in a fairly remote region of Almaty.
The best time to visit the place would be in December or January, when the snow is at its peak. In addition to this, the hill station is also famous for its beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, valleys and everything else in between.
7. Naurzum Nature Reserve
If there is one nature reserve in Kazakhstan worth visiting, this would be the one. The reserve is one of the oldest in Kazakhstan, established in the year 1931. Located in a pristine region of northern Kazakhstan, the Naurzum nature reserve is one of the best places to see the last patches of undisturbed steppe grasslands and numerous lakes.
Other biomes in the region include patches of forests, semi-arid and arid regions, which extend across a vast stretch of land.
Simply put, Kazakhstan is a country like no other in central Asia. So if you happen to be visiting this part of Asia anytime soon, know that you will be in for a whole bunch of surprises from the moment that you set foot in this beautiful country.
This article is part of our popular series, Place To Go With Kids!
