Almaty is located in the southeastern part of Kazakhstan near the Kyrgyzstan border. It is the former capital of Kazakhstan, the largest city in the country, and a major center for finance, technology, education, and culture. Due to the region’s apple production, Almaty is also known as the “Apple City.”

Almaty is a meeting point of Eurasian cultures, seamlessly blending the wisdom of the Kazakh people with Western civilization. It is also known as one of the most green cities in the world. Surrounded by mountains on two sides, Almaty is a uniquely scenic tourist city, resembling a fairy-tale world—a perfect combination of natural beauty and modern metropolis. It is a pleasant climate with beautiful surroundings, where countless streams flow throughout the city. The snow-capped mountains add to Almaty’s charm, with the majestic Tian Shan mountains covered in eternal white snow, shining silver against the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds, presenting a spectacular view.

The Ascension Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Almaty, the second tallest wooden cathedral in the world. The entire building was constructed without using a single nail and was awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Outstanding Project in 2004.

Almaty

Reasons to visit: The largest city in Kazakhstan

Continent: Asia

Country/Region: Kazakhstan

Province/State: Almaty

City: Almaty