Altyn-Emel National Park, Almaty

AfarOct 26

Few U.S. Travelers Visit Central Asia’s Largest Country. They’re Missing Out.

In Kazakhstan, contributing writer Peggy Orenstein finds dramatic nature, Silk Road grandeur, and a resilient, cosmopolitan culture—plus a connection that’s harder to put into words.

Reserve with Mars-red landscape and sandstone trails

17 things in this story

Charyn CanyonNature reserveCanyon nicknamed 'the Grand Canyon's little brother'
Ascension CathedralSightTallest wooden Russian Orthodox church in the world
Panfilov ParkNeighborhoodCentral park in Almaty
Hotel AlmatyHotelHotel with a 1965 mosaic-tile mural
Arasan BathsSightConcrete structure with hammam-inspired details
Green BazaarMarketCovered public market built in 1975
AuylRestaurantNeo-nomad restaurant with yurt-inspired interior
YurtaRestaurantNeo-nomad restaurant serving kumis and plov
Shymbulak Mountain ResortSightMountain resort with gondola rides to 10,500 feet
Altyn-Emel National ParkSightReserve with Mars-red landscape and sandstone trails
AimaqMuseumPrivate museum and jewelry store
Singing DuneSight
Elsewhere
Aksu-ZhabaglyTrailTaraz, KazakhstanCentral Asia's oldest nature reserve
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed YasawiSightTurkistan, Kazakhstan14th-century mausoleum with turquoise domes
SauranSightTurkistan, KazakhstanRuins of a 10th-century Silk Road city
Museum of Victims of Political RepressionMuseumShymkent, KazakhstanMuseum displaying photographs of political prisoners
Shymkent's central bazaarMarketShymkent, KazakhstanBazaar where tea and spices are sold

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Altyn-Emel National Park

In the coverage1 story

Few U.S. Travelers Visit Central Asia’s Largest Country. They’re Missing Out.