Get Even More Visitors To Your Blog, Upgrade To A Business Listing >>

Travel Like A Local in Shymkent City, Kazakhstan

Shymkent City: Medieval Country, Silk Road Mysteries with Dazzling Modern Lifestyle

Shymkent is one of the biggest and third largest cities in Kazakhstan. It is located in Southern Kazakhstan. The vibrant city is bustled with bazaars and vivacious downtown. In 2011, it was voted as one of the “Best Capitals in CIS”. Its leafy street buzzes more than anywhere else in the country relatively located close to the borders with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Until the year 1993, the city was known as Chiment. At the beginning of the 12th century, it was conquered by Genghis Khan and developed as a significant and agricultural centre and therefore constantly a subject to invasions. The Mongols razed through the Silk Road stop over here and when Russia took over the country, it was rebuilt again. Today, it is a flourishing trade centre that refines oil and brews of the country. Shymkent City is slightly brash and modern with a couple of good architectural grandeur, religious and historical sites. The country also has developed ecological tourism and there are some interesting places for mountaineering, fishing and hunting.

Know More: About Kazakhstan

Places to See in Shymkent:

1. Shymkent Plaza

It is one of the largest shopping mall and entertainment centre in the city created on an international level for a comfortable time and shopping. Located right at the heart of the city, it is surrounded by magnificent places such as the Regional Drama Theatre and Al-Farabi Square. It is visited by ten to fifteen thousand people every day on the weekdays, and the number increases in the weekend.

2. Park Abaya

The park is in the central part of the city and it’s great for time for exploration. You will find a big memorial for war dedicated to the Soviet pilot who gave up their life during WWII which is very impressive. It offers a peaceful and quiet zone in spite of being in the city and well kept green and clean. Within the park, you will also find a nice clean environment to relax and space for walking, running etc with cafes and Food shops.

3. Museum of Political Oppression

The museum was built in dedication to the victims of the Soviet political oppression. It is located near Ryskulbekov and N Torequlov Streets in Shymkent Kazakhstan. If you are a historian buff, this is a great place to see as the history of Kazakhstan and the oppression it was going through during the Soviet rule. It is a well-presented museum which will give you a quick look into the lives of the Kazakhs under the Soviet rule and get all the information about their relationship with Russia.

4. Regional Museum of Southern Kazakhstan

It is located on the northern outskirts of the city, the regional museum is well presented and displays local geology, Iron Age and the archaeological findings excavated from sites such as Saravan and Otrar. There’s also an interesting section on ethnography along with a splendid collection of traditional musical instruments and silver jewellery.

5. Domalak Ana Mausoleum

The museum is located 65 km north of Shymkent is a sacred historical monument which was built in 1456 and it’s been rebuilt many times as well. Domalak Ana was the wife of Bi Baidibek who requested that her body be placed on the back of the camel and wherever his knees fall to bury her. The colour of the monument suggests purity and simplicity and the ceiling have different colourful paintings over them.

6. Khyzyr Minaret

It is in Sairam village which is 10 kilometres away from Shymkent in the middle of an ancient city. Back then, there was the Ispidzhab city on the area of Sairam and now the only rare evidence that remains on the area is Khyzyr Minaret which dates back to the 9th and 12th centuries. It is a five-meter structure where Khyzyr Payaghambar was a prophet.

Things to Do in Shymkent:

1. Alley of Glory and War Memorial

If you are looking for things to do in Shymkent, visit the memorial. During WWII, there were many people from Shymkent who lost their lives while fighting against the Soviet army. This is one memorial that bears the names of all the people who lost their lives and there are also smaller memorials with the names of the soldiers who gave their lives while fighting in the war with Afghanistan.

2. Koshkar Ata River

The river is located in the heart of the city and it’s supposed to be a spiritual and natural area. The river got its importance and status of protection in the year 2010. According to legends, the river is supposed to have some healing properties and people now go fill water or take a bath in the river for the healing properties.

3. Sayram

Sayram is just 10 km away from Shymkent where it has many mausoleums and holy sites. It’s an excellent place to see the religious and historical sites as a day trip or afternoon outing. In the main intersection and bazaar of the town, it is crowded and chaotic where people are shopping and buying things off the street.

4. Tauelsizdik Sayabagy

It was inaugurated in 2011 on representing the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan independence. It can be accessed by the footbridge from Independence Monument and focus its attention on Ramizder alany containing national and ethnic symbols designed to inspire a feeling of unity and patriotism among the people of the country.

5. Bowling and Pool Tables

You can spend some time playing bowling and pool table at Kunayeva and Tauke Khana located in the middle of the town. It is at the Maharaja Entertainment complex upstairs next to the Spartak sports complex.

Markets in Shymkent

1. Bazar Samal

The bazaar is located next to Samal bus station on Ryskulov. It is one of the biggest bazaars in the city and it is an incredibly vibrant market where you can get items like fruits and vegetables and other hundreds of items. In the evening, there are many tourists that walk about in the market to have a look at the life and culture of the daily lives of the people in the country.

2. Anya Bazaar

This is the most popular bazaar in Shymkent where locals do much of their shopping from meat, cheese, clothes and other household needs. The food is always fresh in this market and it’s not expensive at all. The prices in this place are cheaper and it is very convenient to reach the market.

Things to Buy in Shymkent

1. Souvenirs

You can find a number of items in Park Ken Ba Ba on the Taukexana Street where they sell items such as magnets, camels, leather goods, figurines and plates. It’s one of the places in the whole city where you can see the local items and buy them as souvenirs.

2. Good and Items

Mega mall is a western style shopping centre where you can get some retail therapy. On the ground floor is the supermarket where you can buy almost all kinds of household and necessary items. On the top floor, there a food court which has a number of fast food outlets.

Places to Eat in Shymkent

1. Kazakhasia

It is a beautiful open kitchen which is well decorated and provides a friendly service. The restaurant is good as compared to other places and breakfast is a delight in this place. There are great availability and choice of food is a lot more with local and other western cuisines.

2. Bar Villa

The restaurant is great for celebrating special occasions; it is so well presented with a good view and good seating. They have a great menu offering a variety of food with live entertainment and music at night. It’s a place with many offerings.

3. Kok Saray

It is the best Uzbek restaurant in town where they serve great local food along with many other Europen foods. The menu offers many Uzbek cuisine and food is cooked to perfection. If you want quality food with great value for money, this is the place you should try to get some local food in its pleasant surroundings.

Nightlife in Shymkent

Shymkent is a usual stop from most travellers who are going to Tashkent and it’s a good place to explore the desert area of Kazakh like Taraz and Turkestan. When it comes to nightlife in the country, it is more alive in the restaurants and bar which doubles as drinking venues. There are some great restaurants and cafes around Ken baba which are popular spots for hanging out at night and fun places for evening drinks. If you want some good live music with good food till midnight, Karavan is a highly recommended place for Shymkent Nightlife.

Best Time to Visit Shymkent

Over the course of the year, the weather in Shymkent varies from 23 degrees Fahrenheit to 92 degrees Fahrenheit. The summers are very hot and dry but have a clear sky while the winters are cold and partly cloudy. The best time to visit Shymkent is during the hot weather where you can enjoy sightseeing and some activities are from late June up to late August.

Other Must-Visit: Attractions in Kazakhstan

Book Package: Kazakhstan Tour Package



This post first appeared on Dook Travels | Unexplored.Explored, please read the originial post: here

Share the post

Travel Like A Local in Shymkent City, Kazakhstan

×

Subscribe to Dook Travels | Unexplored.explored

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription

×