Shymkent walking route: Abai Park to the Citadel
The route around Shymkent with a length of 16.9 km includes a visit to the city center, Abay Park with a monument to the great poet, Yard Basy Square with a monument to Kazakh biys, Independence Park and the ancient Citadel (Palace of the Khans). The path unites the cultural and historical monuments of southern Kazakhstan.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Almaty Airport
- End
- Citadel (Khans Palace)
- Stops
- 6
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Almaty Airport — Departure point; flight to Shymkent
- Shymkent City Center — Main destination; arrival in the sunniest city of Kazakhstan
- Abai Park — Public park visited during walking tour
- Yarda Basy Square — Central square reached during walking tour
- Independence Park — Park with stairs accessed during city exploration
- Citadel (Khans Palace) — Historic fortification; intended destination on walking route
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit the sights early in the morning or after 17:00, as the sun is very hot at noon and becomes uncomfortable for walking
- Tip
- Abay Park is very clean and well-groomed with convenient infrastructure, neat alleys, places for recreation and toilets
- Save money
- The Museum of Art is inexpensive - only 500 tenge for admission, exhibitions of works by artists of the region are held here
- Save money
- A ride on a small bus on the territory of the Citadel costs 3,000 tenge, but you can walk
- Tip
- The Citadel is not just a fortress, but a complex system with the Citadel (power and security), Shakhristan (residential part) and Rabat
- Tip
- Yard Basy Square is a recognizable place in Shymkent with a high monument, where streets named after three Kazakh biys converge
- Tip
- From Yard Basi Square, you can climb the stairs to Independence Park, from where you can see the city and the flag 51 meters high
- Food
- In the heat, it is better to drink cold coffee or iced tea, rather than hot drinks
- Transport
- Taxis can be hailed from local pockets or stops in the city center
- Avoid
- The bazaar in Shymkent is less interesting than in Tashkent, so it is not mandatory to visit
- Tip
- Shymkent is called the southern capital of Kazakhstan, it is one of the sunniest and most hospitable cities with a special atmosphere
- Tip
- Arbat is a local street where you can take a walk after seeing the Citadel
Video on this route
SHYMKENT | First day in the sunniest city in Kazakhstan | Part 1