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City in Kazakhstan
Photo: Coopypasted, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Shymkent (Kazakh: Шымкент) is a city in the Kazakh Desert, and is the third largest city in Kazakhstan.
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Place was settled in the 5th century BC by arias due to proper relief and water source then developed in Citadel which was destroyed and rebuild many times. Shym-Qala have museum and archaeological exhibitions
Used to be in old city center, moved to the new building with all archaeological exhibitions and collections which are great.
Gallery and museum exhibiting local artists
It is a private museum located in a basement of an old Soviet building. You enter backyard and every surface is decorated with some kind of carpet ornament. If you are lucky artist come out and offer you to visit her studio in basement which is great.
Great zoo from Soviet times. Wide variety of steppe and desert species, lots of shade.
Old mosque from the late 19th century.
It used to be a cathedral park near Russian Cathedral built in Russian Revival style hiding in far corner of the park. Some oak trees older than 100 years, but a bit noisy and crowded.
Old vast park from Soviet times was renovated but lacks benches. Ramp for scating is in northern most part of park.
On the corner of main street Tauke Khana and Momysh-Uly.
There is a whole block in old district filled by a local artist with variety of murals. You start walking around the block and discover more and more murals all over the place
There is a huge Soviet mosaic on building of School #9.
Huge Soviet mosaic on building of college.
Huge Soviet mosaic on side of apartment building with Lenin showing directions to the bright future.
If you wonder where is the Lenin statue from ex-Lenin square so here it is. A bit disproportional due to lower pedestal surrounded by quiet park and nice Soviet architecture of ex-Lead Factory.
There is another small Lenin statue for a backup purpose or if you are deep into Lenins. It is standing on the grounds of a former cotton factory. Free to visit.
Renovated Russian drama theatre offers wide variety of plays.
Located in the old Soviet restaurant Oral building not far from Shym-Qala. Retained all Soviet mosaics and most of decorations. Great variety of Kazakh, Uzbek or European cuisine.
Expensive but great choice.
Gastronomic restaurant, one of the best in city
Outside decorations are in best of Uzbek style architecture. Taste variety of Uzbek cuisine while still in Kazakhstan.
Proper halal samsa.
It is a cheap bus drivers' eatery but it has great plov and kebabs.
This spring has been a water source for Shymkent for millennia and still has great drinking water for free.
Small tea house in a quiet place to sit and contemplate.
Local craft beer and snacks.
Local craft beer and snacks.
Local craft beet and snacks.
The rooms are better than the hotel looks from the outside. Single rooms 4000 tenge, doubles 5000-7000 tenge, triple 8000 tenge. Wi-Fi is available.
This mid-range hotel is in Ordabasy plaza, in front of the large MiG monument. As of 2010, a double-room goes for 6,400 tenge with a private bath, satellite TV, and balcony (if facing the street). No late check-out is available.
New big mall.
First mall of Shymkent.
Old Soviet Central Shop in somewhat brutalist style building still having many boutiques.
Latest addition to consumerism.
By train
By bus
There are overnight buses from Almaty's Sayran bus station that leave at roughly half hour intervals from 18:00-21:00 everyday. The journey takes approximately 12 hr, 2,400 tenge (Aug 2012).
You can take "gypsy cabs" for 300-400 tenge anywhere in the city. Bargain if they try to overcharge.
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Shymkent · International · CIT
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