Almaty

　　    Almaty is situated in southeastern Kazakhstan near the border with Kyrgyzstan. It served as the former capital of Kazakhstan, and is the country’s largest city as well as a major hub for finance, technology, education, and culture. The name “Almaty” is derived from the region’s apple production, and can be translated as “City of Apples.”

　　    Almaty is a crossroads of Eurasian cultures, perfectly blending the wisdom of the Kazakh people with Western civilization. It is also one of the most green cities in the world. Nestled between mountains on two sides, Almaty is a uniquely scenic tourist destination, resembling a fairy-tale world where the beauty of nature meets the vibrancy of a modern metropolis. This is a garden city with a pleasant climate and beautiful surroundings, where thousands of stream-like rivers tinkle throughout the urban landscape. The year-round snow-capped mountains add to Almaty’s charm. The majestic Tien Shan Mountains, with their peaks perpetually covered in white, shine brilliantly under the blue sky and white clouds, creating a spectacular sight.

　　    The Zenkov Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church in Almaty and the second tallest wooden church in the world. The entire structure was built without using a single nail, and in 2004 it was awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation – Award of Distinction.

　　    Almaty Reason to visit: Kazakhstan’s largest city Continent: Asia Country/Region: Kazakhstan Province/State: Almaty City: Almaty