Almaty is a city of modern architecture, wide streets, cool fountains, parks and squares and spectacular mountain views. Attractions in the city include the Panfilov Park, which is dominated by one of the world's tallest wooden buildings, built at the turn of the 20th century without using a single nail, and the Zenkov Cathedral. This served in Soviet times as a concert and exhibition hall, but is currently standing empty, whilst the Christians of Almaty worship at St Nicholas Cathedral. Other sights include New Square, which is usually the location for national ceremonies and parades and is overlooked by the City Hall (the president's official residence) and the Obelisk of Independence. Almaty boasts several fine museums including the Museum of Kazakh National Instruments, the Central State Museum and the State Art Museum which has, among its exhibits, traditional Kazakh rugs, jewellery and clothing. The Arasan Baths, in the western area of Panfilov Park, have Eastern, Finnish and Russian saunas.

Astana
The New Capital. Population: 281,000. Names for Astana include: Akmola, T selinograd & Akmolinsk. This city was originally founded as a fortress in 1824 and named Akmolinsk. It was renamed Tselinograd (Russian for Virgin City ) during the rule of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. The main reason for this name change was to promote more permanent agriculture in Northern Kazakstan during the Virgin Lands Program. The cities name was again changed in 1991 to Aqmola, when Kazakstan gained it's freedom. Because the name Aqmola sounded too much like "White Grave", Nazarbayev changed the name to Astana (literally "Capital") in 1998. Astana has been an important rail junction in Northern Kazakstan . It is located along the Ishim River and they produce agricultural machinery, chemicals and has meat-packing plants.

Aristanbab Mausoleum near Shauldar
As one of the direct followers of the Prohet Mohammed, Aristanbab was chosen to teach Hodja Ahmed Yasavi who would live 400 years later. After his dead near the current town Shauldar, a mausoleum was erected above the grave of Aristanbab. The mausoleum is still regularely visited by pilgrims. A daytrip from Zhabagly village is available to visit this mausoleum and other remnants from the period of the Silk Road.

The ice skating rink Medeu
The ice skating rink Medeu located at the altitude of 1,691.2 meters above sea level is world-known. It was erected in 1972. The ice surface occupies 10.5 thousand sq.m., which allows to conduct contests in skating sport, hockey and figure skating. Soft climate in the gorge, optimal level of solar radiation, not high atmospheric pressure, gentle breeze and clean glacial water - all this provided high-mountain skating rink with wide popularity. More than 120 world records were established here by famous sportsmen. During last years the skating rink was improved after conducted modernization.

High-mountain skating rink is beautiful in any weather. You can admire its beauty from the high point to which you will be raised by the popular stairs of ascension built at the flank of hill Mohnatka. From the city it looks just like a slope covered with dense trees, hence it got its name. At the beginning of the last century the monastic grotto was located here. Up to now pilgrims come here and arrange divine worships. Several years in succession the ice skating rink turned into the large concert ground where the popular international music festival "Voice of Asia" ("Azia Dauysy") was carried out in which not only Kazakhstan performers but also variety stars from all over the world take part. Several years in succession the ice skating rink turned into the large concert ground where the popular international music festival "Voice of Asia" ("Azia Dauysy") was carried out in which not only Kazakhstan performers but also variety stars from all over the world take part. Reinforced concrete plates are built in the ice surface in which 170 km cooling pipes are distributed. The system of artificial ice freezing does not have analogs worldwide and allows to maintain the ice surface of the skating rink during 8 months per year. Skating in days off during long years has already become a good tradition not only for city inhabitants but also for guests of Almaty.