Around Shymkent

Shymkent is one of the old Kazakhstan\\'s towns, believed to date back to XII century. It was founded as a small caravan settlement on the Great Silk Road and still remains a good transit point for such places as Aksu-Jabagly Nature Reserve , Turkistan , Otrar , Sayram and others. You may still notice the remnants of the Old Citadel (12 century) - a 25-meter hill in the southern part of the Shymkent.

Bustling Bazaar

Built on the crossroad of the medieval most important trade ways, Shymkent today is a vibrant capital of South Kazakhstan region, with a bustling bazaar and lively downtown.

The central market (bazaar) is the biggest show in Shymkent. The Bazaar spills over with fresh products and spices, cheap clothes and florid traditional shawls, dressing gowns and caftans together with wooden chests with colorful stamped-tin decoration!

Museums

Should you want to learn more about the ancient history and culture of the region go to visit the renovated Regional Studies & History Museum, located on Kazybek Bi 13, which offers some excellent exhibits on the history of Shymkent, Otrar, Turkistan, and Sairam as a Silk Road caravan town.

In addition you can visit the Museum for Commemoration of Victims of Political Repressions, dedicated to those subjected to political repressions in 30^th-40^th of the XX century, where you will learn about one of the most tragic periods in the history of Kazakhstan

Shady Dendropark

If you fancy going to a quiet and shady park in the suburb of the town, you are welcome to Dendropark (bus or van № 17). Dendropark offers you a vatiery of different plants brought here from all over the world. There is also a lake in the center of the place. It\\'s amazing to see Dendropark in spring when the trees are in blossom or in fall, when falling off leaves cover the ground thus creating a magnificent yellow-red-brownish live carpet.

Dolphin Open Swimming Pool

In hot summer afternoons you will definitely feel like refreshing yourself in a nice open air swimming pool located in Abai Park (Zheltoxan street).

The entrance fee is 1,000tg ($7)  per person a day. 

Fantasy World Amusement Park

In the evenings the popular Fantasy World Amusement Park hang-out is happy to welcome you on prospect Respubliki (Republic Avenue). Fantasy World Amusement Park you will spot the hot dancing-hall, a variety of side-shows for both kids and adults, several cafes serving national and east-european cuisine meals, sparkling fountains, all accompanied by lively bustle! Free entrance.

National Games

If you prefer more thrilling sights and want to get your adrenalin high, visit the local racetrack where horse races and national games (e.g. kokpar) are held during celebrations of national festivals. Such events are very popular with the locals and they will surely excite you!

Getting around

The fastest and cheapest way to get around Shymkent is taking marshrutka ($0.20 per ride). You can also take a marshrutka to travel around the region. Marshrutkas leave from Ozero or autovokzal several times a day almost to every destination in Southern Kazakhstan.