Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan with a population of about 1.8 million people. From 1991 to 1997, it was the capital of the country. The city is located in an intermountain depression at the foot of the mountains of Zailiysky Alatau in the extreme south-east of the republic.

The following photos of Almaty were taken at different times of the day and the year from the foothills surrounding the city and Almaty skyscrapers. The author of the photos published on voxpopuli.kz is the famous Kazakhstan photographer Maxim Zolotukhin.

fly over Almaty

Tags: Almaty city

Out with the old, in with the new!
May you be happy the whole year through!
Happy New Year 2019!

Picture: In the steppes of Kazakhstan by Ludmila Zhizhenko.

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The Dzungarian Alatau is a mountain range located in the northeast of the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, between the Ili River and Lake Alakol. The range extends from the west-southwest to east-northeast along the state border of Kazakhstan and China.

The length of the range is about 450 km, the width – 50-90 km. The main peaks of the Dzungarian Alatau rise above 4,000 m. The Dzungarian Alatau on Google Maps. Photos by: Grigory Bedenko.

beautiful mountain scenery

Tags: Almaty oblast

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima located in the city of Karaganda is the largest Catholic cathedral in Kazakhstan. The height of the towers – 40 meters.

Cologne Cathedral in Germany was taken as the basis for the design of the cathedral in Karaganda. Construction continued from 2004 to 2012. Today, it is one of the most magnificent buildings in Karaganda. Karaganda Cathedral on Google Maps. Photos by: Evgeny Tkachenko.

beautiful cathedral

Tags: Karaganda city

The Singing Barkhan is a large sand dune located in the territory of the Altyn Emel National Park in the Almaty region, 182 km northeast of Almaty. The length of it is up to 3 km, the height – about 150 m.

This natural monument is famous for the fact that in dry weather its sands emit sounds similar to an organ melody. The Singing Barkhan looks especially picturesque on a windy day. The Singing Barkhan on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

amazing sandy landscape

Tags: Almaty oblast

In May 2018, a new unusual mosque was opened after two years of construction in Saryarka district of Astana. The design is made in the style of Kazakh postmodernism and also features traditional patterns and decorative elements. The mosque named Ryskeldy Kazhy resembles a flower bud or a diamond.

The total area of the mosque is 3,695 square meters; it can accommodate more than 2,000 people. The diameter of the building is 53 meters, the height – 26 meters. Ryskeldy Kazhy Mosque on Google Maps. Photos by: Evgeny Tkachenko.

amazing mosque

Tags: Astana city · mosques

Kiin Kirish, an amazingly picturesque clay canyon, is a unique natural monument located 120 km southeast of the town of Kurshim in the East Kazakhstan region and covers an area of 300 hectares.

This place is also known as “The Town of Spirits”. Multicolored clays, eroded by water and wind, form vivid, bizarre landscapes here. The optimal time for a trip is 3-4 days. Kiin Kirish on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Silantjev.

beautiful monument of nature

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast · Ust-Kamenogorsk city

Gorelnik Gorge is one of the most picturesque and easily accessible places located in the mountains near Almaty. It is very suitable for one-day mountain hikes.

To get there you should go to the Medeu ice rink, then climb to the dam, and go about 1.5 km further along the road towards Shymbulak, turn right, and behind the hunter’s house there is an entrance into the gorge. Gorelnik Gorge on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilya Gornostayev.

great place for hiking

Tags: Almaty oblast

Kaindy is a 400 meters long lake located among coniferous forests at an altitude of 1,667 meters above sea level in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, 284 km east of Almaty, a popular tourist destination.

Despite the low water temperature, Kaindy is very popular with diving enthusiasts. The main attraction of the lake is the remains of the spruce forest rising straight out of the water. Lake Kaindy on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergio.

very picturesque lake

Tags: Almaty oblast

Park of 28 Panfilovtsev is a city park with an area of 18 hectares located in Medeu district of Almaty. Founded in the 1870s, this park in a complex with surrounding buildings is one of the most picturesque city-planning ensembles of Almaty.

The park is a monument of history, architecture and landscape art and is included in the Almaty State Historical, Architectural and Memorial Reserve. Park of 28 Panfilovtsev on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrey Kirnov.

beautiful park in Almaty

Tags: Almaty city