The natural beauties of the city and its wonderful parks have ranked it among the most beautiful “green cities”. Several centuries ago it was a stop on the “Silk Road” and is still today one of the largest industrial centers of the country. Her business aura and her gastronomy are a wonderful combination.
Currency: Kazakhstani tenge
Calling Code: +7
Nearest airports from city center: Shymkent Airport (11km), Tashkent Airport (134km).
TOP – 10 SIGHTSEEING
*** INDEPENDENCE PARK (8H4X+MM2, Shymkent)
The urban park opened in 2011 and was created for Independence Day.
*** REGIONAL HISTORY OF SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN–LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM (Tauke Khan Ave 228, Shymkent)
It was opened in 1920 and its purpose was educational for the students of the city with many exhibits concerning the history of the city and the country.
*** DENDROPARK (9J9F+F7R, Shymkent)
In this huge park you can walk, relax and of course enjoy nature.
*** ETHNOMUSEUM (9GP2+987, Shymkent)
It is a special museum with an ancient underground structure and has various exhibits of pottery and ceramics among others. It was opened by the famous potter of South Kazakhstan Kendebay Karabdalov.
*** ABAY PARK (8HGP+575, Walk of Fame, Shymkent)
In this park you can spend your time pleasantly, strolling, relaxing or participating in sports activities.
*** PARK ZHAILAUKOL (9JJH+P88, Shymkent)
It is one of the many parks worth visiting in the city to relax, enjoy nature and feel like a kid again.
*** MUSEUM OF VICTIMS OF POLITICAL REPRESSION (Ryskulbekov St 42, Shymkent)
It is a memorial museum of those who suffered from the Soviet campaign of political repression or from the Jeltoqsan demonstrations in 1986.
*** ETHNIC PARK KEN BABA ( 8J83+XWM, Shymkent)
It is an entertainment center with art pavilions, cafes and a leisure park with nice man-made reservoirs and green landscape.
*** BAIDIBEK BI MONUMENT
It is the highest monument in the country and is dedicated to Baidibek Karashauly who was a prominent figure in Kazakhstan due to his wisdom and oratory skills, uniting the nomadic tribes.
*** CENTRAL PARK (Turkistan St 6, Shymkent)
It is one of the many parks in the city, where you can relax and take a walk in an idyllic landscape.
ΤΗINGS TO DO
*** It is worth taking a walk in the city’s Zoo.
*** Victory Park is another place for recreation and for strolling in green landscape.
*** If you like hiking, then go to Burgulyuk and you will enjoy the ride.
*** Keme Kalgan Monument is a historical monument that deserves your attention.
FOOD AND DRINK
Of course you can find various cuisines such as European, American, Arabic, Caucasian, Turkish and Asian. Try the meat dishes kazy, shuzhuk, zhal, zhaya, karta, kabyrga. If you want to taste local delicacies, then try sogym which is smoked horse or bull meat, Nansalma and plov (pilaf). Of course, also try the beshbarmak, which are large pieces of tender horse meat on dumplings. Of course you should also try different types of soup. A nice soup with obvious Russian influences is the red Borscht. You can accompany your food with beer, wine and liqueur.
WHERE TO STAY
You can find hotels and apartments at very good prices in the city center and about 3-4 kilometers away from the city center.
FUN AND SHOPPING
*** Fontan Aquapark is a water paradise for young and old to play.
*** Shymkent plaza is an ideal place to do your shopping.
*** There are other places to shop, such as Mega Planet, CITY Shopping Gallery, and Grand Park Shymkent.
***In Al-Farabi you can also find many options to shop.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The most beautiful way to get around the city is on foot or by bus.
CITIES NEAR SHYMKENT
Major cities close to Shymkent are Tashkent (130km), Turkistan city (168km), Taraz (182km) and Namangan (398km).
