Shymkent is a large industrial and commercial center located in the south of Kazakhstan. Shymkent ranks third in terms of population and first in the country in terms of area. Today it is a modern lively city in the steppe with its unique history and atmosphere.
Kazybek-bi street, one of the oldest in Shymkent, can be called the heart of the city. It is unique because it lived through three historical eras: the times of the Russian Empire, Soviet power and Independent Kazakhstan. In the park there is Ken Baba theme park with the Regional Puppet Theater, which was founded back in 1908 as the Nikolsky Cathedral.
There are other significant historical buildings on Kazybek-bi. History lovers can visit the Shymkent Museum located here. Sightseeing tours to the sights of Turkestan, like the Mausoleums of Arystan Bab and Khoja Ahmed Yasavi, are also often organized from Shymkent.
In Shymkent, it is pleasant to stroll in parks immersed in greenery. A must see is the Dendrological Park, a favorite place for rest among the residents of the city. Shymkent can be considered as a unique oasis in the endless steppes of Kazakhstan.
