Top sights in and around almaty

1. Top Sights in and Around Almaty As the former capital of Kazakhstan, and still the country's largest city, Almaty is a one of the hubs of central Asia. Located near the border of Kyrgyzstan, in the southern part of Kazakhstan, this city is nestled in the mountainous area that is thought to be the ancestral home of the humble apple. The city is one of the most expensive to visit in the entire world, but the luxury available is evident. Regardless of which luxury Almaty hotels you decide to stay in on your visit, you will be within easy reach of the sights and activities the city has to offer. If you have a chance, you can also go a bit further afield to Tamgaly. More info visit: http://www.welovealmaty.com/almaty-luxurytours.html Almaty's Sights - When you step out of your Almaty hotel, you will be pleased to discover that the city itself is easy to navigate. You can head over to the Presidential Palace and see the stunning architecture, before walking across the street to visit the National Museum, which houses displays on the history and people of Kazakhstan. Once you have seen the palace and the museums, you could take a car and driver south of the city to the Koektoebe, or Green Hill. From here you are afforded amazing views over the city, and you can visit the amusement park, café, and zoo. Afterwards, once you are back in town, stroll through the city and perhaps marvel at some of its 125 fountains before calling it a day. Almaty's Activities - Once you have seen the sights of Almaty, why not get a little bit more active? Not too far from your Almaty hotel, you can head out to the Medeo Ice- skating Stadium, located just outside of town. Situated at 1,691 metres above sea level, this has the honour of being the highest ice skating rink in the world. Construction of the stadium began in 1949 and since then there have been many world records set on its ice. It comprises 10.5 thousand square metres of ice, and is open to the public year round for amateur skating and various local races. Even though it lost the bid to host the 2014 Olympics, the Medeo Ice-skating Stadium will be the host of the 2012 Bandy World Championships.

2. Tamgaly - While you are staying in luxury Almaty hotels 5 star, you should take a day or two to travel a bit further afield. Tamgaly is located about 170 kilometres northwest of Almaty and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. There are over 5,000 petroglyphs covering the semi-desert area, whose canyon rocks and Tamgaly coomb were sacred for the various tribes who have lived there over time. In addition, there are some Bronze Age burial sites and the relics of nomad settlements, dating back to the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD, which are well worth visiting while you're in the vicinity.