About Shymkent
Shymkent is one of Kazakhstan's major cities, home to around 1,200,000 people.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Shymkent
1
Shymkent hillfort Shym-Qala
2
Museum of Turkestan Region
3
Art museum
4
Private Carpet Museum
5
Shymkent Zoo
6
Old mosque in Old town
7
Park Ken-Baba
8
Abay Park
Budget travel
Free things to do in Shymkent
Old mosque in Old town
Park Ken-Baba
Abay Park
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Suggested itinerary
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Shymkent hillfort Shym-Qala
- Visit Museum of Turkestan Region
- Visit Art museum
- Eat at Жеті тандыр restaurant
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Private Carpet Museum
- Visit Shymkent Zoo
- Visit Old mosque in Old town
- Eat at Heaven resto-bar
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Park Ken-Baba
- Visit Abay Park
- Eat at Душевная кухня restaurant
Where to eat
Local favourites
Жеті тандыр restaurant
Located in the old Soviet restaurant Oral building not far from Shym-Qala. Retained all Soviet mosaics and most of decorations. Great variet
Heaven resto-bar
Expensive but great choice.
Душевная кухня restaurant
Gastronomic restaurant, one of the best in city
Aladin restaurant
Outside decorations are in best of Uzbek style architecture. Taste variety of Uzbek cuisine while still in Kazakhstan.
Abdulla samsa
Proper halal samsa.
Madina cafe
It is a cheap bus drivers' eatery but it has great plov and kebabs.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Nurotau
The rooms are better than the hotel looks from the outside. Single rooms 4000 tenge, doubles 5000-7000 tenge, triple 8000 ten
Hotel Ordabasy
This mid-range hotel is in Ordabasy plaza, in front of the large MiG monument. As of 2010, a double-room goes for 6,400 tenge with a pr
Shopping
- Shymkent Plaza Mall
- Mega Planet Mall
- Soviet Central Shop
- Shymkent City Mal
Nightlife
- Koshkar-Ata spring
- Puer
- Amber bar and beer
- Jaman Bar
- Sigma bar
Museums & culture
- Museum of Turkestan Region
- Art museum
- Private Carpet Museum
- Old mosque in Old town
In pictures
Shymkent gallery
Keep exploring
