Almaty, Kazakhstan — The Most Surprising City in Central Asia

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and one of the most surprising places in Central Asia. Surrounded by the snow-covered Tien Shan mountains, the city mixes wide green streets, Soviet architecture, modern skyscrapers, and a surprisingly relaxed lifestyle. In this video I explore Almaty to see what life here is really like. We walk through the city center, ride the cable car up to Kok Tobe, visit famous landmarks like Zenkov Cathedral and Panfilov Park, and get a closer look at how people live in Kazakhstan’s former capital. With about two million residents, Almaty remains the country’s cultural and financial heart even though the official capital moved to Astana. Along the way I also try local food, explore markets, and show why so many people say Almaty is the most beautiful city in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is still a mystery for many travelers, but Almaty might be the perfect place to start discovering the region. Places featured in this video: • Kok Tobe Hill & Cable Car • Panfilov Park • Zenkov Cathedral • Green Bazaar • Republic Square • Medeu Ice Rink • Shymbulak Ski Resort #documentary #kazakhstan #travel #almaty