"Privyet, and Welcome to Alma Ata!" Almaty by DirtyRudy


Almaty Travel Guide: 377 reviews and 722 photos

Next Stop: Almaty


Kazakhstan was my second stop on my trip around the world, and has been a country that I've always wanted to visit. Although I wasn't able to visit the countryside of Kazakhstan, I was at least able to get a taste of Almaty. My impression of Almaty:

1. Very well-developed, first-world city
2. Delicious cuisine
3. Fashionable

In the Mountains

Almaty sits right at the base of the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains. For some odd reason, it feels very secure with the mountains there, as if they were placed there to guard the city. Plus, you'll always know your direction because the mountains are to the South!

Unfortunately, Almaty is neither ancient nor exotic. Established in the mid-1800's, it used to be a fort and a place for the exiled; now it's a major business center where investments are spawling.

Still, even as Kazakhstan makes the transition from a nomadic society to Russia's communism to capitalism, many old traditions remain.

Ain't it Bazaar?

Even as high-fashion takes root in Almaty, nothing beats shopping like good old bazaars. At the Green Bazaar, you can get all kinds of meats! For the night-time meat markets, Almaty offers a plethora of night clubs. Just watch out for the ex-pats hitting on all the Kazakh girls!

  • Last visit to Almaty: Nov 2004
  • Intro Updated Nov 28, 2004
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Reviews (8)

Comments (7)

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  • jadedmuse's Profile Photo
    jadedmuse Oct 6, 2007 at 4:29 PM Report Abuse

    Talk about off the beaten path. Fun tips. Camel or pork? Only your waiter knows for sure.

  • ellielou's Profile Photo
    ellielou Nov 1, 2006 at 5:26 PM Report Abuse

    interesting tips, although it so does not look like my kind of town....but may have to be there in order to get to Uzbekistan......

  • Kazakh_nomad Feb 19, 2006 at 9:50 PM Report Abuse

    Your travel pages are so funny. Glad you liked Almaty. Good luck in your world wide trip!

  • janetanne's Profile Photo
    janetanne Feb 1, 2006 at 1:32 AM Report Abuse

    Humour will take you far in this world. Keep smiling and seeing things for the fun that they are!:):)

  • kikiree's Profile Photo
    kikiree Feb 16, 2005 at 3:02 AM Report Abuse

    Almaty looks fun. Let's go there again with me!~

  • togzhan Jan 29, 2005 at 8:58 AM Report Abuse

    Sorry, should have warned you about the old bully from the music museum. He sold his tapes to ALL the foreign friends of mine (even when i was there with them!). He must have a world-wide circle of fans by now:)

  • rsleisk's Profile Photo
    rsleisk Dec 2, 2004 at 8:50 AM Report Abuse

    Looks like you had a good time in Almaty my friend. I missed out on that Zherujyk restaurant when I was there. Can't wait to see more tips and photos!

DirtyRudy

“I'm NO LONGER into dodgy Australian girls from Perth”

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