Almaty may have lost its status as capital of Kazakhstan, but it remains the country’s first city, cultural and business capital and main transport hub.
  This beautiful town at the foot of the emerald Tien-Shan Mountains is rightly called a garden city. In spring, when its southern outskirts are drowning in apple, apricot and cherry blossom, Almaty looks like something out of a fairytale. Its luxuriant greenery and stunning mountain backdrop make Almaty unlike any other city. Gardens, woods, parks, boulevards and flowerbeds account for over 8,000 hectares of its area; indeed the city is located at the heart of Ile-Alatau National Park.
   The name Almaty comes from the word “alma”, meaning apple. It is the birthplace of the famous Almaty apporte, which was obtained by crossing local apple varieties. According to some sourses this was the location of the ancient trading settlement Amatu, on the famous caravan route known as the Silk Road. Almatu was sacked by Chingis Khan’s horde in the 13th century, and in 1854 the Russians built Verny city near the ruins of the ancient town. Their fort, renamed Alma-Ata in Soviet times was the capital of Kazakhstan from 1929 to 1997.
 The most popular places to visit among citizens and guests of the city are:
• Republic Square is the largest and most picturesque in the city, with its magnificent ensemble of modern architecture. The square will always be associated with the memory of those who died in the tragic events of December 1986 – the protest by Kazakh students.
• Old Square – second-largest square was designed in 1957 by central planers in Moscow and is therefore completely different in style from Republic Square. The building now houses the Kazakh-British Technical University.
• The Green Bazaar – the Central Market brings to life the finest traditions of the Asian bazaar. Here you can experience a true taste of the East.
• The Cathedral of the Holy Ascension – Svyato-Voznesensky Kafedralny sobor – is an architectural land mark, one of just eight unique wooden structures in the world. The Russian Ortodox Cathedral of the Holy Ascention has  a striking beauty andsplendour. It was built in 1904-1907, desighned by the architect A.P. Zenkov with wall paintings by Nikolai Khludov. The cathedral is about 50 meters high yet, interestingly, it withstood the very severe earthquake of 1910. Used as a museum during the Soviet period, the cathedral reopened for church services in 1997.
•  Arasan Baths – is a central bathhouse in Almaty. It’s situated in a large, impressive dome shaped building opposite Panfilov Park. Tree types of bath are available at Arasan: Russian, Finnish and Turkish.
• Central State Museum – museum of Kazakhstan’s history and culture was founded in Orenburg and moved here in the 1930s. The building now housing the collection, built in 1985, has an original architectural style. The history of Kazakhstan is presented through 120,000 exhibits arranged in four exhibition halls.
• Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments has over 1,000 exhibits in stock. The collection consist of about 60 types and varieties of Kazakh folk instruments, including some that belonged to outstanding singers, improvisers, poets and composers.
• Other Museums: Auezov Museum. In this house Mukhtar Auezov completed his most famous work, The Path of Abai.
Arhaelogical Museum. The exhibition illustrates the evolution of human society in present-day Kazakhstan from ancient times to the late Middle Ages.
Book Museum. With over 20,000exibits on display, the museum traces the development of the written Kazakh language. Includes rare books, manuscripts, posters, maps and modern editions of Kazakh language literature.
Geological Museum. Appropriately enough, you descend in a lift deep underground to view this museum of stones and minerals. The museum shop sells jewelry in modern and traditional Kazakh styles.
Kasteyev Museum of Fine Arts was named after the outstanding 20th century Kazakhstani artist Abilkhan Kasteyev, who collected sculpture, folk arts and crafts. The museum is well worth visiting to gain a comprehensive view of Kazakh art and see some of the finest works by Kazakhstani artists.