Almaty Things to Do

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About 15 kilometers south of Almaty stands the four decades old Medeu Dam which blocks the Medeu Valley, created by the Malaya Almatinka River, just upstream from the famous Medeu Skating Rink. The dam, at about 6,200 feet above sea level (1,900m) was first created in 1966 and subsequent work has added to its effectiveness.

You can drive up to the top of the dam or you can climb up to the dam via a series of steps, if you are parked at the skating rink for example. From the dam, if the weather cooperates, you get great views of the river valley and mountains behind the dam as well as the Medeu Skating rink down in the valley on the other side.

Unlike most dams that are built to control water flooding, this dam was erected in order to control mud slides. There have been mud slides coming out of the Medeu Valley and descending upon the area of Almaty for ages. But five 20th century historical slides, and the resulting damage and death, instigated the building of this particular dam.

The Malaya Almatinka River begins in the glacier fields of Zailiiskiy Alatay – which is the northern-most ridge of the Tien-Shan Mountains. It is not a long river but it has gotten a lot of attention due to the potential mud slide danger it produces.

To drive up to the Medeu Dam you drive up Dostic (Dostyk) Street which is one of the most beautiful streets in Almaty. Dostic Street and Abai Street are two of the main avenues of Almaty. The best of Almaty's cafes, restaurants and bars will be found near these streets and the area is always safe and secure.

On a clear day the towering white capped mountains provide a dramatic backdrop over the roof lines of Almaty as you drive up to the dam. But clear days are more likely to occur in the summer and I was there in March. The weather was good but there was a lot of dust and the air was hazy. That obscured the otherwise beautiful views that I was hoping to see and photograph.

Abýlay Khan (1711 - 1781) is one of the most prominent figures in the Kazak history, the legendary ruler of Kazaks who dedicated his life to the struggle against the invasion of Oirats (Dzungarians) and the colonization attempts by Russian empire and Qing dynasty of China. He managed to restore the power of the Kazak khanate, destroy the Oirat state, and keep the balance between the foreign policies towards Russia and China.

I think walking is the best to know a city. And Almaty is easy on this manner. Streets are perpendicular to each other and you can easily find directioons. Almaty is not that big one full day is enough to cruise all the city if you have enough power on your legs. Furmanova, Dostyk, Shevchenko and Satpeyava are the main streets with many cafes.

Walking or picnic on a mountains is one of the things most of the Almaatians do at the weekend. Nature around Medeo or Chimbulak is simply fantastic. Buses are always crowded in Almaty so it is best to take a taxi there. There are small cafes/restaurants where you can have sashlik (sish kebab - grilled meat on stick).

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On the way up to Medeo skating rink you pass a small river with some forests. Local people like to make a picnic here and take a bath in the river. There are tables and banks installed for the picnics. It is now an area, where many local rich people build their villas. The valley is very beautiful with old trees and high mountains around.

As Almaty was founded in the middle of the 19th century, destroyed by an earthquake in 1911, most buildings are very modern and of very obvious Russian Architecture. Streets are wide and many trees spend shadow in the hot summers.

Almaty is 40 - 50% ethnically Russian. Until the mid-1980s, Kazaks represented only 12 per cent of Almaty's population. Now it is more. But most people speak and understand Russian.

Even though the Almaty region has been under Chinese protection for some time in history, this cannot be seen in the population.

On the other hand I was quite surprised that there are many Korean people living in Kazakhstan. The Korean lived formerly in Eastern Siberia (Wladivostok) and were deported by Stalin to Centralasia - a history like many Germans, who lived at the Volga River, experienced, too.

This big Central Museum is in a Russian Type Building. It Exhibitions range from Stoneage and Bronce Age tools to local dresses and the recent history of wars.

There is a replica of the famous "Golden Man" of the Issikul Kurgan. This ancient tomb of a local prince has been excavated near Almaty. But all the finds are now exhibited in Astana. Just recently I read in an archaeological magazin, that now scientists think, that it might not be a man but a woman, who was burried in Issikul Kurgan.

The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

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Senkow Cathedral was build in 1907. In its construction and light colors it resembles Russian Palaces. It was build completely from wood and no nails were used. This is maybe the reason, why this building was not destroyed in the big earthquake from 1911.

After some troublesome times during the Russian reign it is now a beautiful and lively church which is open all day. I lighted some candles here. You can also buy postcards from a friendly old lady at the entrance. Inside are many beautiful icons and colorful murals.

No photos allowed inside the cathedral.

Almaty has many relidous groups. The biggest are:
Muslims (Sunni)
Russian Orthodox Christians
Roman Katholik Christians

There are also Jewish, Buddhist and other communities.