Almaty — Travelrags

Condé Nast TravelerOct 14, 2026

The Kazakh Designers Telling Stories of Their Nomadic Heritage

Looking to reconnect with her Almaty origins, writer Yulia Denisyuk heads to the Kazakh capital to meet artists exploring their own identities through craft.

16 things in this story

Tian Shan mountainsSightfoothills visible from grandfather's car
Al BastyPlaceclothing label infusing Kazakh mystical culture
TuzdybastauNeighborhoodtownship on eastern outskirts, quiet and spacious
Laila ZharkynPlaceartist reinventing handmade felt in her studio
tekemetsPlacetraditional felt carpets depicting sacral elements
Central State MuseumMuseumdisplayed a monumental tekemet made of pixels
KorkemPlaceboutique selling artist Laila Zharkyn's work
AqquRestaurantcafe from the 1960s with mosaics and 1960s hits
Art OskolokPlacemosaic studio offering daily masterclasses
Tsellinny Center of Contemporary CultureMuseumAsif Khan-designed, carries Art Oskolok gift sets
Kazakhstan HotelHotellate-modernism building frequented by dignitaries
Golden SquareNeighborhoodfive-block area with restaurants and boutiques
Union of Artists buildingPlacebuilding with seventh-floor studios
Altyn CeramicsPlaceceramics studio founded by Altynay Baizhan
Gallery Without WallsPlaceproject with exhibits in unexpected public spaces
Qarlygash CafeRestaurant

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →

Condé Nast TravelerOct 6

The Best Train Trips in the World: 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards

The world’s most swoon-worthy train trips, from the rugged Peruvian highlands to the romantic Canadian Rockies.

19 things in this story

The Golden Eagle Silk Road ExpressPlaceRoute through Central Asia, iconic trade route
Elsewhere
Napa Valley Wine TrainAttractionNapa, United StatesTravels between downtown Napa and St. Helena
The GhanRestaurantAdelaide, AustraliaRuns through the heart of the Australian continent
Jungfrau RailwayPlaceJungfraujoch, SwitzerlandHighest rail station in Europe, perched at 11,332 feet
Indian PacificRestaurantSydney, AustraliaCrosses Australia horizontally, four days, three nights
Bernina ExpressPlaceChur, SwitzerlandClimbs through Swiss Alps to Tirano, Italy
Canyon SpiritPlaceGlenwood Springs, United StatesJourney through American West's spectacular terrain
The CanadianNeighborhoodToronto, CanadaCrosses Canada from Toronto to Vancouver
The Vietage by AnantaraPlaceDa Nang, VietnamLuxury railway carriage connects Da Nang with Quy Nhon
Royal Scotsman, A Belmond TrainPlaceEdinburgh, United KingdomCircumnavigates the heart of the Scottish Highlands
Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond TrainPlaceSingaporeResumed service between Singapore and Malaysia
Vietnam Central Heritage ConnectionPlaceHue, VietnamConnects the historic cities of Hue and Da Nang
British Pullman, A Belmond TrainPlaceLondon, United KingdomJourney through the bucolic British countryside
Glacier ExpressPlaceZermatt, SwitzerlandConnects Zermatt and Saint Moritz
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond TrainPlacePoroy, PeruConnects Poroy to Machu Picchu
Andean ExplorerPlaceArequipa, PeruTransports passengers between Arequipa and Cusco
Danube ExpressPlaceIstanbul, TurkeyUnlocks approach to Southern and Eastern Europe
Rocky MountaineerPlaceVancouver, CanadaTraverse dramatic scenery between Vancouver and Banff
Rovos RailTrain stationPretoria, South AfricaExtravagant train traveling throughout Africa

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →

Lonely PlanetAug 26

14 of the Best Things to Do in Kazakhstan

From discovering remote mountains to exploring futuristic cities and more.

19 things in this story

Charyn CanyonNature reserveHike red-rock formations east of Almaty
Green MarketMarketBustling market in Almaty
Zenkov CathedralRestaurantMarvel at the intricate architecture in Almaty
Central MosquePlace of worshipPonder the call to prayer from its minarets
ShymbulakSightSki resort accessible by daily buses from Almaty
Kolsai LakesSightThree lakes in a dense forest region
Kaindy LakeSightLake formed after a 1911 earthquake
Singing DuneSightEmits a rumbling sound when windy and dry
Elsewhere
Baikonur CosmodromeSightBaikonur, KazakhstanBook a launch tour for a once-in-a-lifetime space experience
Katon-Karagay National ParkSightKaton-Karagay, KazakhstanExplore lush valleys and mountains on horseback
National MuseumTrain stationAstana, KazakhstanExplore culture in Astana
Saken Seifullin’s former homeSightAstana, KazakhstanExplore poet's former home in Astana
balbalsSightEreimentau, KazakhstanStone sculptures marking burial mounds of ancient warriors
Aksu-Zhabagly Nature ReserveSightShymkent, KazakhstanOldest nature preserve, spot eagles and vultures
Tuzkol LakeSightTian Shan mountains, KazakhstanSalty lake offering fabulous floats
Ustyurt ReserveSightAktau, KazakhstanNatural wonder with pillars of limestone and chalk
Shakhr-i-VazirSightAktau, KazakhstanRuins of an ancient city
Beleuli CaravanseraiSightAktau, KazakhstanFortress on the Silk Road
Allan FortressSightAktau, KazakhstanAncient fortress on the Silk Road

Read the full piece at Lonely Planet →

Atlas ObscuraAug 6

Statue of Unity in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Imagine a raging concrete canal, a dog trapped in the torrent, and a desperate owner who jumped in to help—only to get stuck himself. Instead of just watching, a group of total strangers instantly linked arms to form a living, breathing human chain, risking their own safety to pull both to dry land. Today, that exact spot is marked by a powerful interactive sculpture that lets you grip the last…

1 sight in this story

Statue of UnitySightinteractive sculpture lets you grip the last bronze hand

Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →