Shymkent invites those who want to experience the true essence of Central Asia. Shymkent has been renowned as a bustling city on the Great Silk Road since ancient times, and it is today the largest city in Kazakhstan in terms of area, as well as the hub of Southern Kazakhstan. The city’s name translates to ‘a garden city,’ and when you visit, you’ll understand why: the city is a true oasis in the middle of huge steppes. Here are the most visited places that you must visit in Shymkent.
Park Abaya
Park Abaya has various monuments dedicated to dead soldiers, as well as covered areas for peaceful strolls. Walk down a memorial lane that leads to a tall obelisk erected in commemoration of World War II troops who perished. The esplanade, which is flanked by Russian tanks and leads to a memorial depicting a soldier and his dog, is worth seeing. From the city’s centre square, a monument portraying a jet fighter-bomber—dedicated to Soviet World War II pilots—was relocated to the park. There are also cafes, playgrounds, a tennis court, a small water park, and a circus in the park.
Mega Planet
Find all of your favorite brands under one roof and shop for everything from high-quality clothing to the newest electronics, or stop by the supermarket on the ground floor for some fresh groceries. A movie theatre, a skating rink, and a food court are all included within the mall.
Shymkent Zoo
Shymkent Zoo (Kazakh: мкент ауананас, Shymkent haanhanasy; Russian: мкентски ооаpк) is the state zoo of the Kazakh city of Shymkent. It is one of the country’s largest and oldest zoological parks. A total of 34 hectares (130 acres) of the zoo’s 54 hectares (130 acres) are dedicated to the display (84 acres). The Shymkent Zoo houses about 20 different species of creatures from the ‘Red Book.’ The zoo grows 25% of the feed requirements for its animals on its own land, which covers 30 hectares (74 acres).
Alley Of Glory & War Memorial
During World War II, more than 140,000 people from the Shymkent region died while serving in the Soviet army. Alleya Slavy, Shymkent’s War Memorial, has plaques with all of their names on it. It depicts the huge extent of loss suffered by the Soviet Union during WWII.
It’s a solemn monument with a few smaller memorials listing the names of troops who died while fighting in Afghanistan. During WWII, Shymkent was one of Kazakhstan’s most important cities, with 17 factories created to make spare parts for tanks, shells, and metal lead.
Koshkar Ata River
The Koshkar Ata river begins near the train station in Shymkent. This is a holy site for the natives, and the waters are said to have healing properties.
People visit the river’s origins to bathe, pray, or fill their bottles. It is a tranquil green space in the city, with a pleasant two-kilometer walk along the embankment between the river spring and Ordabasy Square.
The Koshkar Ata Sail, which takes place every year in conjunction with Nauruz, features local performances, handicrafts, and food.
