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Central State Museum, Kazakhstan - Things to Do in Central State Museum

Things to Do in Central State Museum

Central State Museum, Kazakhstan - Complete Travel Guide

Almaty, Kazakhstan's former capital and largest city, sits dramatically against the backdrop of the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains. The city has this interesting mix of Soviet-era architecture and modern glass towers, with wide tree-lined boulevards that actually make it quite pleasant to walk around. Central State Museum anchors the cultural heart of the city, housing the country's most comprehensive collection of Kazakh artifacts and providing genuine insight into the nomadic heritage and Soviet period that shaped modern Kazakhstan. The museum's golden dome is hard to miss, and inside you'll find everything from ancient Scythian gold to traditional yurts, making it an essential stop for understanding the country's complex history.

Top Things to Do in Central State Museum

Central State Museum

The museum's extensive collection spans from prehistoric times to the present, with particularly strong sections on nomadic culture and the Silk Road period. The Golden Man exhibit, featuring a Scythian warrior's burial outfit, is genuinely impressive and considered one of Kazakhstan's national treasures. The Soviet-era displays provide fascinating context for understanding modern Kazakhstan's political evolution.

Booking Tip: Entry costs around 500 tenge (about $1) and English-language audio guides are available for an additional fee. Visit on weekday mornings for smaller crowds, and allow at least 2-3 hours to see the main collections properly.

Kok-Tobe Hill Cable Car

This Soviet-era cable car takes you up to the city's highest viewpoint, offering panoramic views of Almaty sprawling toward the mountains. At the top, you'll find an amusement park that's charmingly dated, plus restaurants and the famous giant apple sculpture. The ride itself is half the fun, giving you a bird's-eye view of the city's layout.

Booking Tip: Cable car tickets cost around 2,000 tenge round-trip. Go in late afternoon for the best light, but note that it can get quite crowded on weekends. The cable car sometimes closes for maintenance, so check ahead.

Green Bazaar

This traditional market buzzes with energy and gives you a real taste of local life in Almaty. You'll find everything from fresh produce and spices to traditional handicrafts and Soviet-era antiques. The food section is particularly fascinating, with vendors selling horse sausage, dried fruits, and fermented mare's milk alongside more familiar items.

Booking Tip: Entry is free, but bring cash for purchases and be prepared to bargain. Morning visits offer the freshest selection, while late afternoon might get you better prices as vendors want to clear stock.

Medeu Ice Skating Rink

Located in a mountain valley about 30 minutes from the city center, this high-altitude outdoor rink is famous for the numerous speed skating records set here. Even if you're not into skating, the setting is spectacular, surrounded by forested mountains and connected to hiking trails. In summer, the area transforms into a popular hiking and picnic spot.

Booking Tip: Skating costs around 1,500 tenge including skate rental. Take bus 12 from the city center (about 200 tenge) or a taxi for around 3,000-4,000 tenge. Winter visits obviously offer the full skating experience, but summer hiking is equally rewarding.

Zenkov Cathedral

This colorful wooden Orthodox cathedral is one of the world's tallest wooden buildings, built entirely without nails in the early 1900s. The building survived a major earthquake in 1911, which locals attribute to its flexible wooden construction. The interior features beautiful icons and frescoes, while the surrounding park provides a peaceful escape from city noise.

Booking Tip: Entry is free, but dress modestly and be respectful of worshippers. The cathedral is most photogenic in morning light, and combining it with a walk through Panfilov Park makes for a nice hour-long outing.

Getting There

Almaty International Airport sits about 15 kilometers northeast of the city center and handles most international flights to Kazakhstan. The airport bus (route 92) runs regularly to the city center for around 150 tenge, while taxis cost 2,000-3,000 tenge depending on your destination. If you're coming overland, Almaty has decent bus connections to Bishkek, Tashkent, and other Central Asian cities, though the journey times can be quite long and border crossings sometimes unpredictable.

Getting Around

Almaty's public transport system includes buses, trolleybuses, and a small but growing metro system that's clean and efficient. The metro currently has one line running north-south through the city center, with tickets costing just 80 tenge. Buses and trolleybuses are cheaper but can be crowded and routes aren't always obvious to visitors. Taxis are relatively affordable - both official companies and ride-sharing apps like Yandex work well, with most trips around the center costing 1,000-2,000 tenge.

Where to Stay

City Center near Republic Square
Almaly district near Green Bazaar
Bostandyk area near Kok-Tobe
Medeu district in the foothills
Auezov district for budget options
Alatau area for mountain proximity

Food & Dining

Almaty's dining scene reflects its position at the crossroads of Central Asia, with traditional Kazakh dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat with noodles) and plov alongside Russian, Korean, and increasingly international options. The Korean influence is particularly strong due to the large Korean population, and you'll find excellent Korean barbecue and noodle shops throughout the city. For traditional Kazakh food, head to restaurants like Kishlak or Dastarkhan, while the area around Republic Square has numerous cafes serving decent European food. Street food isn't as common as in some Asian cities, but the Green Bazaar food court offers authentic local dishes at very reasonable prices.

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When to Visit

Late spring through early fall (May to September) offers the most pleasant weather, with warm days perfect for walking around the city and hiking in the nearby mountains. Summer temperatures can reach 30°C but the mountain proximity keeps things relatively comfortable. Winter is quite cold with temperatures often below freezing, but this is actually when Medeu ice rink is at its best and the snow-capped mountains look most dramatic. Spring and fall tend to be the sweet spots - fewer crowds, mild weather, and good visibility for mountain views, though spring can be a bit muddy as the snow melts.

Insider Tips

Many museums and attractions close on Mondays, so plan accordingly
Learn a few Russian phrases as English isn't widely spoken outside tourist areas
Always carry cash as many smaller establishments don't accept cards

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