[2025 Almaty Hotels] Travel Guide for Kazakhstan Hotel (Updated Jul)

Here's a travel guide to Kazakhstan: Visa & Transportation - Visa: Chinese citizens can enjoy a 30-day visa-free policy. You can also apply for an e-visa based on your needs, for single or multiple entries within 90 days, with a visa fee of approximately USD 20–80. - Transportation: From China, you can fly directly to Astana or Almaty. For domestic transportation, major cities like Astana and Almaty have subways. Between cities, you can choose planes, trains, or long-distance buses. Recommended Attractions - Astana: The Bayterek Tower, a landmark building standing 105 meters tall; the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, shaped like a tent; and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, one of the city's iconic buildings. - Almaty: Charyn Canyon, a spectacular sight known as the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia"; the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, showcasing a rich collection of historical relics and artworks. - Other Regions: Turkestan, located in southern Kazakhstan, is home to the 14th-century Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, a building with a unique architectural style; the Baikonur Cosmodrome, one of the world's largest space launch sites, where you can watch rocket launches. Food Recommendations - Main Courses: Kuyrdak, made with stir-fried lamb, horse meat, potatoes, and onions; Beshbarmak, hand-pulled meat served with noodles, a traditional Kazakh dish. - Snacks: Samsa, baked buns usually filled with mutton and onions; Kurt, a type of dried cheese curd that can be eaten directly or added to milk tea. - Drinks: Kumis, a traditional fermented mare's milk drink, rich in nutrients and slightly sour; and Shubat, a fermented drink made from carrots, apples, and other ingredients. Accommodation Recommendations - Astana: Offers luxury hotels like the Ritz-Carlton Astana, as well as budget-friendly options like Ibis Styles Astana. - Almaty: The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty, and other hotels provide high-quality service. There are also many homestays in the city, such as those near the Zelyony Bazaar, which are convenient for shopping and transportation. Things to Note - Climate: Kazakhstan has a diverse climate with cold winters and hot summers, and large temperature differences between day and night. Remember to bring warm clothes and sunscreen. - Customs: Islam is the main religion in Kazakhstan. Respect local religious customs, such as dressing appropriately when entering mosques. - Language: The main languages are Kazakh and Russian. English is spoken to some extent in major cities. Download a translation app in advance.

The Kazakhstan Hotel in Almaty is a historic landmark and one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Built in 1977 during the Soviet era, it was designed to be the tallest building in Kazakhstan at the time, standing at 102 meters with 26 floors. Its unique architectural style blends Soviet modernism with traditional Kazakh ornamental elements, featuring a distinctive crown-like rooftop. Originally a luxury hotel for visiting officials and foreign guests, it remains a symbol of Almaty’s skyline. Despite modern renovations, the Kazakhstan Hotel retains its historical charm, offering visitors a glimpse into the city’s Soviet past while continuing to serve as a key hospitality destination. #springwander #almaty #kazakhstan

Today we checked into the Kazakhstan Hotel which was built during the Soviet era (completed in 1977). It was built in 1977, during the climax of Kazakhstan’s industrialization and modernization during the Soviet era, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the October Revolution. Some Soviet architecture enthusiasts praised its "unvarnished sense of history," but others criticized its facilities as outdated; The hotel strikes a balance between renovation and retaining its original appearance, becoming a microcosm of Almaty's "interweaving of past and present". Its concrete shell carries the glory and controversy of the Soviet era, while its internal transformation reflects the cultural reshaping of Kazakhstan after its independence. Whether for the history, architecture, or to take in the panoramic view of the city at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, this place is worth a stay and experience. The buildings on the 5000 Kazakhstan Tenge note are the Kazakhstan Hotel and the Independence Monument. After reading many reviews, the most praised one is the breakfast here. I will try it tomorrow morning😍 #Valentine's Day Destinations 2025 #Kazakhstan #Almaty

#almaty #mountainview #naturalwonders

Almaty is located in the Alatau Mountains outside of Ili, and was once a territory of China during the Qing Dynasty. After the establishment of Kazakhstan, it was also the capital of the country for a period of time. Due to the abundant production of apples in the suburbs, Almaty is also known as the "Apple City". 🍎 As the largest member state of the former Soviet Union, here you can not only see modern skyscrapers and experience the ethnic customs of Central Asia, but also see many marks left by the Soviet era. 🏢 Recommended attractions are as follows, it is suggested to take two to three days for sightseeing. 📝 Day one, you can visit the following attractions, the first four are within walking distance. 🚶🏻 1️⃣Ascension Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church located in Panfilov Park in the city center. It is the second tallest wooden structure church in the world and the only surviving ground building after the 1911 Almaty earthquake. After the renovation of the interior a few years ago, visitors can now enter and visit the church. It is also recommended to visit the 28 Panfilov Heroes Memorial in the park.⛪️ 2️⃣Green Bazzar is a traditional market where local residents purchase food and daily necessities. Various freshly squeezed fruit juices can be tasted in the market. 🍇 3️⃣️Central Mosque is a religious place where people worship, and female visitors are required to wear headscarves. 🕌️ 4️⃣️Albert Street is a typical shopping street with music performances and shops selling oil paintings on the side of the street. It's a great place to stroll around and have a cup of coffee in your leisure time. 🏞️ 5️⃣️Take the cable car from the foot of Kok Tobe Park to see the panoramic view of Almaty and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. It is also a great place to watch the sunset, and it is recommended to arrive around 4pm. If the cable car is not in operation, you can purchase a bus ticket at the front desk to go up the mountain. 🌄 6️⃣️The Kazakhstan Hotel is located near the entrance of Kok Tobe and has always been the most luxurious hotel in Kazakhstan during the Soviet era. The exterior design is very unique, and if you like the Soviet architectural style, you can take a walk and enjoy it. 🏨 On the second day, you can visit the following attractions 🚶🏻 1️⃣The National Museum of China mainly displays the ancient and modern history of China, with not many cultural relics but worth spending one or two hours to understand the culture of China. 🏛️ 2️⃣️Independence Square, a memorial square built after the independence in 1999, is a ten-minute walk from the museum. 📷 3️⃣️The National Art Museum has unexpectedly diverse collections of paintings, sculptures, and crafts, including a Chinese porcelain exhibition hall. 🖼️ 4️⃣️The National Opera House starts opera or ballet performances at 6pm, with ticket prices under 100 yuan. You can check the performance schedule in advance on gatob.kz. 💃🏻 Additional recommendations are as follows 📝 1️⃣Almaty Metro Station🚇 2️⃣️Various buildings left over from the Soviet era 🏠 3️⃣️National Circus🎪 4️⃣️Qiongubulake Ski Resort in the suburbs 🎿 5️⃣️Outside the city, the great Almaty Lake 🌊

It was very clean, the service was good, and best of all it was cheap! Breakfast was included so I was very satisfied.

Kazakhstan, Almaty 🫶🏻