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AfarOct 26, 2026

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.

17 things in this story
  • Aksu-ZhabaglyTrailCentral Asia's oldest nature reserve
  • Elsewhere
  • Charyn CanyonNature reserveAlmaty, KazakhstanCanyon nicknamed 'the Grand Canyon's little brother'
  • Ascension CathedralSightAlmaty, KazakhstanTallest wooden Russian Orthodox church in the world
  • Panfilov ParkNeighborhoodAlmaty, KazakhstanCentral park in Almaty
  • Hotel AlmatyHotelAlmaty, KazakhstanHotel with a 1965 mosaic-tile mural
  • Arasan BathsSightAlmaty, KazakhstanConcrete structure with hammam-inspired details
  • Green BazaarMarketAlmaty, KazakhstanCovered public market built in 1975
  • AuylRestaurantAlmaty, KazakhstanNeo-nomad restaurant with yurt-inspired interior
  • YurtaRestaurantAlmaty, KazakhstanNeo-nomad restaurant serving kumis and plov
  • Shymbulak Mountain ResortSightAlmaty, KazakhstanMountain resort with gondola rides to 10,500 feet
  • Altyn-Emel National ParkSightAlmaty, KazakhstanReserve with Mars-red landscape and sandstone trails
  • AimaqMuseumAlmaty, KazakhstanPrivate museum and jewelry store
  • 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
  • Singing DuneSightAlmaty, Kazakhstan
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