text:
Kaza

Kaza is in the Trans-Himalayan region of India at an elevation of 3,800 metres (12,500 ft) above average sea level, Kaza is the biggest and most developed town in the Spiti Valley of Eastern Himachal Pradesh.

Get in
Kaza is the district headquarters of Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh. It is accessible from Manali and Shimla. The road from Shimla (via Rekong Peo) is in theory an all-season one, while the Manali road via Rohtang and Kunzum passes is passable only in summer. There are Government Tourism bus services from Manali to Kaza but the road is pretty inaccessible with frequent landslides along the way. Due to lack of proper roads in this section of the Himalayas, it is advisable to hire a private MUV (Tata Sumos) from Manali to reach Kaza.

Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses link Kaza with Manali and Rekong Peo. The Rekong Peo connection passes through landslide area at Malling Nullah, with transhipment (crossing on foot and being picked up by a bus on another side) being frequently the only way of passing the landslide.

The route from Manali via Losar crossing Kunzum La and Rohtang La along the Chandrataal river is perhaps the most beautiful. The road surfaces are very poor - the entire stretch has never been metalled/tarred. But on asking a local person about the road quality, he'd say that the road is a "good road". You will have to cross about a score of streams flowing across this State Highway No. 30 which could be about a couple of feet deep.

Get around
In summer, state transport runs buses through both routes i.e. Manali - kunzum pass- Kaza and Shimla-Reckongpeo-Sumdo- Kaza. In winters only one bus runs between Reckongpeo and kaza which leaves in early morning to kaza and one bus from Kaza to reckongpeo. Roads are dangerous to drive so if you don't have experience of driving on himalyan roads, don't do it. In winters there are no buses to villages, so only option is to hire a taxi, which is not cheap: every km may cost you ₹25-₹40 or more, though it is cheaper than tourist season of summers. The taxi stand has jeeps for hire for fixed rates (listed at the booth).

It is also possible to arrange for a trek, jeep safari, yak safari or mountain biking via the office of Ecosphere, which conducts responsible and volunteer travel trips and tours in the region (info@spitiecosphere.com). It is also common for people to hitch-hike in this mountain terrain, where the locals are extremely friendly and willing to help.

Bus schedule (in 2020)
 * To Manali : 6:30AM
 * Tabo: 7M and 3PM
 * Pin Valley: 4PM
 * Kibber/Ki monastery: 5PM

See

 * Kye/Ki/Key/Kee Monastery: This is about 20 km from Kaza. Every visitor is greeted by a complimentary tea. The monks might give a guided tour also. Photography is not allowed inside the prayer rooms but is allowed in the outdoor areas.
 * Komik village: It is at a height of 4275m. It has a small monastery (women are not allowed inside during prayers). Fossils are also found in this region. The villagers might try to sell the fossils but its probably not legally allowed to buy and transport the fossils.
 * Hikkim village: A few kilometres before Komik. Main interest is the "world's highest postoffice", so it could be a good place to post your postcards
 * Kibber village: Frequently, and wrongly claimed by the locals as the highest village in the region.
 * Sakya Kaza Monastery: A monastery which was inaugurated on July 9th, 2009 by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
 * Dhankar monasteries: Dhankar is about 40 km from Kaza in the direction of Peo. You can get there either by a taxi, which will take you all the way up the mountain to the monastery, or by the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport bus (leave at 7AM, return at 3PM from Shichling). The bus will drop you at the junction between Dhankar and Shichling villages. From the Shichling fork, you need to trek nearly 10 km to get to the monastery by motorable road or by one of the numerous steep mountain trails. There are two gompas at Dhankar village, the much-famed, 1000 year old monastery hidden in the Spitian mountain rocks and the new Gompa, inaugurated by the Dalai Lama. The old monastery is literally tethering on the edge and the 60 monks who live in the Gompa are being relocated to the new Gompa until the restoration and reinforcement of the older Gompa is complete. Do visit both the Gomaps if you get a chance. The lamas at the older monastery are very helpful and the inquisitive little Dhankar boys (studying to become lamas) will invariably be more than happy to show you around. If you have a chance to meet the head lama at Dhankar, make sure you grab the opportunity to see him.
 * Dhankar Lake: About an hour's worth of trek from the Dhankar monastery, this lake's pristine waters and surreal location takes you to another place.

Do
There are a host of activities that can be done in the areas surrounding Kaza. Mountain biking from Manali to Kaza is a popular activity - also popular are numerous trek routes through virgin regions. If you are not in a big group and don't have a pre-arranged tour to Spiti, taxis can be an expensive proposition, especially since no other means of transport is plausible in order to visit the nearby Ki and Komik Gompas. In such a case, a very helpful person who goes by the name of Dorje and who works as a mechanic at the Himachal Pradesh State Bus Shelter, should be called upon. Dorje charges ₹150 per person (in 2010) to Komik Gompa as opposed to ₹600 that is charged by local cabs for to and fro journeys. Since Dorje is a well loved local, he also provides good information about Spiti and its traditions which can be quite quirky. The only drawback of his cab service to Komik is that you have to spend the night at the Gompa at their guest house which costs ₹150. If you have time, it can be a great experience and can get to know quite a few local people who also hitch rides with Dorje since he is reasonably priced. The same cab comes back the next morning with the people back to Kaza.

Buy
There is a village called Mud that can be accessed from Kaza. This village lies in the Pin Valley region. In the months of June - September, villagers cultivate green peas on the mountain slopes. It is really worth your money to get down from your vehicle and get a few kilograms of fresh peas fresh from the fields. Additionally, there is a special brand of tea called Spiti Tea that can be bought from the local markets - it is made from seeds from a local fruit and locals claim it slows down ageing.

Eat
Food is not at a premium in this region. Chicken is brought from Manali, no beef is available. Some restaurants offer mutton dishes. Eggs, rice, dal and a mixed vegetable are the usual options that one can look at in this cold desert. Needless to mention, the tastiest of the lot would be a curry made from fresh peas and potatoes. Thukpa is another popular dish available in Kaza, which is noodle soup with steamed vegetables, usually accompanied with a hot sauce for seasoning. Another popular offering of the Himachal mountain towns are momos (steamed dumplings). They are commonly available in almost all eateries and are available in mutton, chicken and pork even though the mutton dumplings are probably the only ones made from locally procured meat in Spiti. The portions are quite generous in most places. Another local offering (which you can probably ask for at one of the hotels if they don't have it listed as such on their menu) is a bread called Tibetan bread or roti. Unlike the usual rotis in India, which are made from wheat flour, Spitian rotis are made from barley or other millet flours and some baking powder is added to the dough while it is roasted on a hot pan. It is very soft and fluffy in texture and a well-made "roti" can puff fully like a ball while on the pan. It is eaten with butter, jam or an omelette. It is surely one of the things to eat while in Spiti or around. An astonishing number of restaurants in Kaza also claim to offer Israeli, Mexican and Italian food. Most of these places however, are open and fully functional only after the arrival of summer, during peak tourist season between mid-June to August. The most popular beverage is boiling-hot, overly sweetened lemon tea made without milk, which is quite good after sunset, once the chill sets in.

Drink
In an attempt to encourage responsible travel and conservation in the region, an organization called Ecosphere has set up an office shop near the Kaza market, where you can refill clean and safe drinking water, instead of buying multiple plastic mineral water bottles. Here you can also buy seabuckthorne juice and concentrate. Grown in Spiti valley, seabuckthorne is a "magical" berry with a combination of nutrients not found in any plants, and its commercialization has created sustainable incomes for women in the region.

There is an 'English Wine & Beer Shop' on the main street in Kaza, selling a typical stock of beer, Indian whisky and 'Old Monk' rum. The local alcohol is made of barley and has two varieties - Chang, the local barley beer and Arakh, the local barley whiskey. These are not freely available in shops, but most locals will be able to arrange a bottle for a nominal price. Another option is to go to Zangchuk guest house and ask the owner to arrange for it.

Sleep
There is a Himachal Tourism Guest House at Kaza. One can stay in government rest houses (PWD / Forest / Irrigation departments) at various pother places, but advance booking is a must.It is hard to find room in summers due to tourist rush. Booking information is available on Himachal tourism (government) web-site. In winter all hotels are closed, so only option is PWD rest house, which is usually without any guest in winters. PWD rest house is cheap but chances are slim to none of getting a room there in summer, unless you are some bureaucrat.

There are several private hotels in Kaza. One of the more comfortable places is Mandala Hotel behind the taxi stand, charging ₹500 for a large double with ensuite bathroom (summer 2008 price).

title: Kaza


text:
Kazakh Desert

The Kazakh Desert is the southernmost region of Kazakhstan, spanning the vast Qyzylqum and Aral Karakum deserts. It comprises the provinces of Kyzylorda, South Kazakhstan, and Zhambyl. This area is home to the lion's share of Kazakhstan's historical monuments, as well as the car-wreck-fascinating ecological disaster of the Aral Sea. You will also find here the main border crossings into nearby Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Cities

 * — A struggling city, with a fishing economy that was dependent on a now disappearing sea.
 * — A medium-sized mining city, formerly a destination for Soviet exiles.
 * — A major stop on the Silk Road, with plenty to see and do.
 * — A 3,000-year-old city, with Kazakhstan's oldest mosque and a very strong sense of Central Asian culture—there is a lot to see here.
 * — A small town midway between Shymkent and Kyzylorda, very popular for its fruits and vegetables such as huge watermelons and melons. Also, marjan kurus (diamond rice) is the highest quality rice grown in Shieli. The region is full of very kind, hospitable and nice people who will always provide you a warm welcome!
 * — A relatively small town, and the administrative center of Zhambyl Province.
 * — Kazakhstan's third largest city, an old market town located near Tashkent and some beautiful mountains; now booming with oil exploration.
 * — A 2,000-year-old city, rich in archaeological finds.
 * — Another ancient city, long a liminal town between the Persian culture to the south and the Turkic nomadic culture to the north, now majority Uzbek and home to several important cultural-historical monuments.

Aralsk, Qazaly Shardara, Jetisu, Saryag'ash and Lenger

Other destinations

 * - The oldest nature reserve in Central Asia.
 * - Site of the spaceport. A closed city- permit strictly required- on loan to Russia.
 * — A wildlife preserve on an island in the Aral Sea.
 * — An oasis surrounded by the ruins of the various castles and towns that once occupied this spot.
 * — An archaeological site with echoes of Middle Earth and Ozymandias, once a major Silk Road waypoint. 50 km north-west of Turkestan.
 * — An archaeological site with echoes of Middle Earth and Ozymandias, once a major Silk Road waypoint. 50 km north-west of Turkestan.

Get in
Shymkent International Airport

Get around
There is a good bus network both between and within cities. Expect to pay 40-70 tenge as a flat fare within a city, around 100-150 tenge from a city to any surrounding villages, and around 400-500 tenge per hour on intercity buses and marshrutkas. The roads are generally good quality, but streets in small towns can be shockingly poor past the point of recognition; best to park on the outskirts if you don't have a four-wheel drive.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Kazakh Desert


text:
Kazakh phrasebook

Kazakh or Kazak (қазақша / قازاقشا) is an official language of Kazakhstan, as well as in parts of the Dzungarian region of Xinjiang and Gansu in China. It is also widely spoken in Kazakh regions of Bayan-Ulgii in Mongolia. There are an estimated 13 million speakers worldwide, with 10 million in Kazakhstan, 1 million in China, 560,000 in Russia, over 100,000 in Mongolia, and the remainder spread throughout Central Asia. It belongs to the Turkic languages of languages along with Kyrgyz, Turkish, Uzbek, etc. Within the Turkic group the most closely related languages are Bashkir, Karakalpak, Kyrgyz, Nogai, and Volga Tatar.

Whether or not travellers need to learn Kazakh is debatable, as nearly all citizens of Kazakhstan are also able to speak Russian, and the ethnic Kazakhs of China are usually able to speak Mandarin. That said, you are virtually guaranteed to get a particularly warm welcome from the locals if you attempt to speak the language.

Pronunciation guide
The Kazakh Cyrillic Alphabet has 42 letters and is an expanded version of the Russian Cyrillic Alphabet. It used in for the written Kazakh language in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. Kazakhs in China use an older Arabic script used by all Kazakhs before 1927.

А а 	Ә ә 	Б б 	В в 	Г г 	Ғ ғ 	Д д 	Е е 	Ё ё    Ж ж 	З з 	И и 	Й й 	К к 	Қ қ 	Л л 	М м 	Н н 	Ң ң 	О о 	Ө ө 	П п 	Р р 	Сс 	Т т 	У у 	Ұ ұ 	Ү ү 	Ф ф 	Х х 	Һ һ 	Ц ц 	Ч ч 	Ш ш 	Щ щ 	Ъ ъ 	Ы ы 	І і 	Ь ь 	Э э 	Ю ю 	Я я

The following letters are only used for Russian words that have been introduced into the Kazakh Language: Э э Ё ё  Ю ю  Я я  Ф ф  В в  Ц ц  Ч ч  Ш ш  Ь ь  Ъ ъ

Vowels

 * А а : like the "u" in "but"
 * Ә ә : like the "a" in "class"
 * Е е : like "ye" in "yet" or the "ie" in "miedo"
 * Ё ё : like "yo" in "yonder" or the "io" in "frio"
 * И и : like "ee" in "need"
 * О о : like "o" in "open"
 * Ө ө : like "u" in "burn"
 * У у : like "oo" in "pool"
 * Ұ ұ : like "u" in "bull"
 * Ү ү : like "u" in "tune"
 * Ы ы : unique sound, like "uh"
 * І і : like "i" in "bin"
 * Э э : like "e" in "bet"
 * Ю ю : like you or Yugoslavia
 * Я я : like "ya" in "yard"

Consonants

 * Б б : like "b" in "bat"
 * В в : like "v" in "voice"
 * Г г : like "g" in "grant"
 * Ғ ғ : like French "r"
 * Д д : like "d" in "dog"
 * Ж ж : like "zh" in "measure"
 * З з : like "z" in "zoom"
 * Й й : like "i" in "time", changes vowel sounds
 * К к : like "k" in "keep"
 * Қ қ : qh, unique sound, guttural "kh"
 * Л л : like "l" in "lamp"
 * М м : like "m" in "make"
 * Н н : like "n" in "note"
 * Ң ң : like "ng" in "long"
 * П п : like "p" in "pass"
 * Р р : rolled "r" in "room"
 * С с : like "s" in "set"
 * Т т : like "t" in "take"
 * Ф ф : like "f" in "flash"
 * Х х : kh, unique sound, like "ch" in "Bach"
 * Һ һ : like "h" in "hotel"
 * Ц ц : like "ts" in "cats"
 * Ч ч : like "ch" in "check"
 * Ш ш : like "sh" in "shop"
 * Щ щ : like "shch" in "cash-check"

Signs
These are for Russian words only. These used to be vowels (pronounced like the unstressed vowels above), but aren't any more. They indicate whether the preceding consonant is hard or soft.
 * Ъ ъ : hard sign (very rarely used since 1918) - used to distinguish between the phrases like:
 * съёмка (syooh-mkah) - making a film
 * Сёмка (soh-mkah) - Simon
 * Ь ь : soft sign
 * полька (PAUL-kah) - a female Polish
 * полка (POW-kah) - a shelf

Grammar
Kazakh has 8 pronouns. When speaking directly to someone (2nd person), use "сен" (syen) when they are the same age or younger, and "сіз" (siz) when they are older.

The sentence structure in Kazakh is S.T.O.P., or Subject Time Object Participial, with the verb (or participial) subject agreement. For example a sentence would read Tom yesterday sandwich ate (Том кеше сэндвич жеді).

Basics

 * Hello. : Сәлеметсіз бе?/Амансыз ба? (Sah-lem-met-siz-be?/Amansyz ba?)
 * Hello. (informal) : Сәлем. (Sah-lem.)
 * What's up? (informal): Не хабар? (Nay khabar?)
 * How are you? : Қалыңыз қалай?/Қалайсыз? (Qaly-ngyz-qalai?/Qalaisyz?)
 * Fine, thank you. : Рақмет, жақсы . (Raq-met, zhaq-sy.)
 * What is your name? : Сіздің атыңыз/есіміңіз кім? (Siz-ding at-ungiz/Esim-ing-iz kem?)
 * My name is ______ . : Менің атым/есімім ______ . (Meninq-atym/esimim _____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. : Сізбен танысқаныма қуаныштымын. (Siz-ben-tany-sqany-ma-quanu-shty-myn.)
 * Please. : Өтінем. (oht-en-am)
 * Thank you. : Рақмет. (Raq-met.)
 * You're welcome. : Оқасы жоқ. (Oq-as-y zhoq)
 * Yes. : Иә. (Ee-ah.)
 * No. : Жоқ. (Zhoq.)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : Кешіріңіз/Ғапу етіңіз. (Keshiringiz/Ghapu etingiz)
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : Кешіріңіз. (Keshiringiz)
 * I'm sorry. : Мені Кешіріңіз. (Meni kesh-ir-ing-iz)
 * Goodbye. : Сау болыңыз. (Sau-bolyngyz)
 * I can't speak Kazakh [well]. : Мен қазақша [жақсы] сөйлей алмаймын. [Men qazaqsha [zhaqsy] soilei almaimyn)
 * Do you speak English? : Сіз ағылшынша сөйлейсіз бе? (Siz-aghyl-shyn-sha-soi-lei-siz-be?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : Осында ағылшынша сөйлейтін адам бар ма? (Osynda aghl-shyn-sha soileitin adam bar ma?)
 * Help! : Көмектесіңіз! (Komektesingiz!)
 * Look out! : Қара! (Qhar-a !)
 * Good morning. : Қайырлы таң. (Qai-yr-ly tang.)
 * Good evening. : Кеш жарық. (Kesh-zharyq.)
 * Good night. : Қайырлы түн. (Qai-yr-ly toon.)
 * I don't understand. : Мен түсінбеймін. (Men toors-sin-bei-min.)
 * Where is the toilet? : Дәретхана қайда екен? ( ?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : мені мазаламаңыз. ( .)
 * Don't touch me! : тиіспеңіз мені/қолыңды тарт! ( !)
 * I'll call the police. : Мен полицияны шақырамын. ( .)
 * Police! : Полиция! ( !)
 * Stop! Thief! : Тоқтат! Ұры! ( Toqhtet! !)
 * I need your help. : Маған көмек керек. ( .)
 * It's an emergency. : Бұл төтенше жағдай. ( .)
 * I'm lost. : Мен адасып кеттім. ( .)
 * I lost my bag. : Мен сөмкемді жоғалтып алдым. ( .)
 * I lost my wallet. : Мен әмияанымды жоғалтып алдым. ( .)
 * I'm sick. : Мен ауырып тұрмын. ( .)
 * I've been injured. : Мен жараландым. ( .)
 * I need a doctor. : Маған дәрігер керек. ( .)
 * Can I use your phone? : Сіздің телефоныңызды пайдалансам бола ма? ( ?)

Numbers

 * 1 : бір (beer) - bir
 * 2 : екі (eh-kee) - eki
 * 3 : үш (oosh) - ush
 * 4 : төрт (tow-rt) - tort
 * 5 : бес (bes) - bes
 * 6 : алты (al-ty) - alti
 * 7 : жеті (je-tee) - jeti
 * 8 : сегіз (sye-geez) - sekiz
 * 9 : тоғыз (to-ghyz) - togiz
 * 10 : он (ohn) - on
 * 11 : он бір (ohn-beer)
 * 12 : он екі (ohn-eh-kee)
 * 13 : он үш (ohn-oosh)
 * 14 : он төрт (ohn-tow-rt)
 * 15 : он бес (ohn-bes)
 * 16 : он алты (ogn-al-ty)
 * 17 : он жеті (ohn-je-tee)
 * 18 : он сегіз (ohn-sye-geez)
 * 19 : он тоғыз (ohn-to-ghyz)
 * 20 : жиырма (ji-yrma) - jiirma
 * 21 : жиырма бір (ji-yrma-beer)
 * 30 : отыз (ot-hoosh) - otuz
 * 40 : қырық (qyrq) - kirk
 * 50 : елу (eloo) - elu
 * 60 : алпыс (altmysh) - altmish
 * 70 : жетпіс (jetmeesh) - jetmish
 * 80 : сексен (sye-gsehn) - seksen
 * 90 : тоқсан (to-ghsahn) - togsan
 * 100 : жүз (jooz) - juz
 * 200 : екі жүз (eh-kee jooz)
 * 300 : үш жүз (oosh jooz)
 * 1,000 : мың (myn) - min
 * 2,000 : екі мың (eh-kee myn)
 * 1,000,000 : миллион ( )
 * 1,000,000,000 : миллиард (mee-lee-art) - milliard
 * 1,000,000,000,000 : ( )
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : нөмір( )
 * half : жартысы( )
 * less : кіші( )
 * more : көп( )

Time

 * now : қазір( )
 * later : кеш( )
 * before : бұрын( )
 * morning : таң( )
 * afternoon : түстен кейін( )
 * evening : кеш( )
 * night : түн ( )

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : сағат бір болды / түнгі бір сағат (literally "night one hour")
 * six o'clock AM : сағат алты / таңғы алты сағат (literally "morning six hour")
 * noon : түс ( )
 * one o'clock PM : сағат он үш (13) /түскі бір сағат (literally "noon one hour")
 * five o'clock PM : сағат он жеті (17) /кешкі бес сағат (literally "evening two hour")
 * midnight : түн ортасы ( )

''You should use one to twelve in most cases, unless there it is necessary to be absolutely precise. In such cases, you should either use the 24-hour time or preface the time with "morning", "afternoon", "evening", or "night".''

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : минут (min-uht/)
 * _____ hour(s) : сағат (sa-ghat)
 * _____ day(s) : күн (kun)
 * _____ week(s) : апта/жұма (ap-ta/ zhuh-ma)
 * _____ month(s) : ай (ei)
 * _____ year(s) : жыл (zhil)

Days

 * today : бүгін( )
 * yesterday : кеше( )
 * tomorrow : ертең( )
 * this week : осы аптада( )
 * last week : өткен аптада( )
 * next week : келесі аптада( )

 * Sunday : жексенбі (jek-sen-bi)
 * Monday : дүйсенбі (dui-sen-bi)
 * Tuesday : сейсенбі (sei-sen-bi)
 * Wednesday : сәрсенбі (sahr-sen-bi)
 * Thursday : бейсенбі (bei-sen-bi)
 * Friday : жұма (juma)
 * Saturday : сенбі (sen-bi)

Months

 * January : Қаңтар (qang-tar)
 * February : Ақпан (aq-pan)
 * March : Наурыз (naw-ryz)
 * April : Сәуір (sah-wir)
 * May : Мамыр (mah-myr)
 * June : Маусым (maw-sym)
 * July : Шілде (shil-deh)
 * August : Тамыз (tamyz)
 * September : Қыркүйек (qyrku-yek)
 * October : Қазан (qazan)
 * November : Қараша (qara-sha)
 * December : Желтоқсан (jeltoq-san)

Colors

 * black : қара (qah-rah)
 * white : ақ (aq)
 * gray : сұр (sur)
 * red : қызыл (kyr-zyl)
 * blue : көк (kohkh)
 * yellow : сары (sary)
 * green : жасыл (jas-yl)
 * orange : сарғылт (sar-ghylt)
 * purple : күлгін (kouhl-gin)
 * brown : қоңыр (qong-ir)

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ дейінгі билет қанша тұрады?(deyingi bilet qansha turadi)
 * One ticket to _____, please. : _____ дейінгі бір билет бересіз бе?(deyingi bir bilet beresiz be )
 * Where does this train/bus go? : Осы автобус/пойыз қайда барады?(Osy avtobus/poyiz qayda baradi)
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____дейінгі баратын автобус/пойыз қайда?(deyingi baratyn avtobus/poyiz qayda)
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Осы автобус/пойыз _____ тоқтай ма(Osy avtobus/poyiz_____ toqtay ma)
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ дейінгі баратын автобус/пойыз қашан шығады?(deyingi baratyn avtobus/poyiz qashan shyghady)
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Осы автобус/пойыз _____да қашан келеді?(Osy avtobus/poyiz _____ da qashan keledi)

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : _________ға/ге/қа/ке/на/не қалай барамын? (_________ga qalay baramyn? )
 * ...the train station? : бекет/вокзал (beket)
 * ...the bus station? : автобус бекеті (avtobus beketi)
 * ...the airport? : әуежай (euezhai)
 * ...downtown? : орталық ( ortalyq )
 * ...square? : алаң (alan)
 * ...the youth hostel? : хостел ( )
 * ...the _____ hotel? : қонақ үй ( )
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : Америка/Аустралия/Британия консулдік/кіші елшілігі ( )
 * Where are there a lot of... : _____дың көпшілігі қайда? ( )
 * ...hotels? : мейманханалар/қонақ үйлер (meymanhanalar/konaq yuiler)
 * ...restaurants? : мейрамханалар/ ресторан (meyramhanalar / restoran)
 * ...bars? : барлар (bar)
 * ...sites to see? : ( )
 * Can you show me on the map? : Маған картадан көрсете аласыз ба? (Magan kartadan kyorsete alasyz ba?)
 * street : көше (kyoshe)
 * Turn left. : солға бұрылыңыз (solga byurylynyz)
 * Turn right. : оңға бұрылыңыз (onga byurylynyz)
 * left : сол (sol)
 * right : оң (ong)
 * straight ahead : тура жүріңіз (tura zhyuriniz)
 * towards the _____ : ____ қарсы ( )
 * past the _____ : _____ жетпей ( )
 * before the _____ : _____ дейін ( )
 * Watch for the _____. : ____ еріңіз ( )
 * intersection : қиылыс (qhiul-us)
 * north : солтүстік (sol-tus-te-k)
 * south : оңтүстік (ong-tus-te-k)
 * east : шығыс (shu-ghus)
 * west : батыс (ba-tus)
 * uphill : жоғары жүріңіз (zhogary zhyuriniz)
 * downhill : төмен жүріңіз (tyomen zhyuriniz)

Taxi

 * Taxi! : такси (takh-se)
 * Take me to _____, please. : Мені __________ ға жеткізіп салыңызшы, өтінем. ( )
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : _________ ға дейін қанша шығады? ( )
 * Take me there, please. : Сонда жеткізіп салыңызшы, өтінем. ( )

Lodging

 * Do you have any vacant rooms? : сіздерде бос нөмір бар ма? ( )
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : Бір кісілік/ екі кісілік бөлме қанша тұрады? ( )
 * Does the room come with... : Нөмірде ______ бар ма? ( )
 * ...bedsheets? : төсек орын ( )
 * ...a bathroom? : ванна ( )
 * ...a telephone? : телефон ( )
 * ...a TV? : телевизор ( )
 * May I see the room first? : Алдымен бөлмені көрсем бола ма? ( )
 * Do you have anything quieter? : Сіздерде сәл тыныш бөлме бар ма?( )
 * ...bigger? : үлкенірек? ( )
 * ...cleaner? : тазалау? ( )
 * ...cheaper? : арзандау? ( )
 * OK, I'll take it. : Жарайды, бұл бөлмені алайын. ( )
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : Мен мұнда ______ түн боламын. ( )
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : Маған басқа бір қонақ үй үсына аласыз ба? ( )
 * Do you have a safe? : Сәл қауіпсіз бөлме бар ма? ( )
 * ...lockers? : Сейф бар ма? ( )
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : Таңғы ас/ кешкі ас бағаға сыйған ба? ( )
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : Таңғы ас/ кешкі ас неше сағатта? ( )
 * Please clean my room. : Менің бөлмемді тазалаңызшы. ( )
 * Can you wake me at _____? : Мені ________ сағатта оята аласыз ба? ( )
 * I want to check out. : Мен төлемімді төлеп шыққым келеді. ( )

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Америкалық/ Австралиялық/ Канадалық доллармен төлем істесем бола ма? ( )
 * Do you accept British pounds? : Британия паундсымен төлем істесем бола ма? ( )
 * Do you accept euros? : Евромен төлем істесем бола ма? ( )
 * Do you accept credit cards? : Кредит картпен төлем істесем бола ма? ( )
 * Can you change money for me? : Сіз маған ақша алмастрып бересіз бе?( )
 * Where can I get money changed? : Мен ақша қайда алмастыра алам? ( )
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Сіз маған туристик чек алмастрып бересіз бе? ( )
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Туристик чекти кайда ауыстырсам болады? ( )
 * What is the exchange rate? : Ақша алмастыру құны қанша тұр? ( )
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Банкомат қайда екенін білесіз бе? ( )

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : Бір адам/ екі адамға арналған стол қажет, өтінем. ( )
 * Bring the menu, please? : Ас мәзірін беріңізші. ( )
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : Асханаға қарасам бола ма? ( )
 * Is there a house specialty? : Ас мәзіріндегі ең жақсы тағам қайсысы? ( )
 * Is there a local specialty? : Өлкеңіздегі ең жақсы тағам қайсысы? ( )
 * I'm a vegetarian. (I don't eat meat.) : Мен ет жемеймін. ( )
 * I don't eat pork. : Мен доңыз етін жемеймін. ( )
 * I don't eat beef. : Мен сиыр етін жемеймін. ( )
 * I only eat halal food. : Мен халал тамақ ғана жеймін.( )
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : Бұның майын азайтып бере аласыз ба? ( )
 * fixed-price meal : Барлық тағам түрін бір бағамен алу ( )
 * a la carte : ( )
 * breakfast : таңғы ас ( )
 * lunch : түскі ас ( )
 * tea (meal) : шай (тағам) ( )
 * supper : кешкі ас ( )
 * I want _____. : Мен __________алғым келеді. ( )
 * I want a dish containing _____. : Мен ________ы бар тағам алғым келеді. ( )
 * chicken : тауық еті ( )
 * beef : сиыр еті ( )
 * fish : балық ( )
 * ham : ветчина ( )
 * sausage : шұжық ( )
 * cheese : ірімшік ( )
 * eggs : жұмыртқа ( )
 * salad : салат ( )
 * (fresh) vegetables : көкініс  ( )
 * (fresh) fruit : жеміс ( )
 * bread : нан ( )
 * toast : ( )
 * noodles : кеспе ( )
 * rice : күріш ( )
 * beans : ( )
 * May I have a glass of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a cup of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : ( )
 * coffee : кофе ( )
 * tea (drink) : шай ( )
 * juice : шырын ( )
 * (bubbly) water : минералды су ( )
 * (still) water : су ( )
 * beer : сыра ( )
 * red/white wine : қызыл/ақ шарап ( )
 * May I have some _____? : ( )
 * salt : тұз ( )
 * black pepper : қара бұрыш ( )
 * butter : сары май ( )
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( )
 * I'm finished. : Мен болдым. ( )
 * It was delicious. : ( )
 * Please clear the plates. : ( )
 * The check, please. : Есеп-шот беріңізші ? ( )

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : ( )
 * Is there table service? : ( )
 * A beer/two beers, please. : ( )
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : ( )
 * A pint, please. : ( )
 * A bottle, please. : ( )
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : ( )
 * whiskey : виски ( )
 * vodka : водка ( )
 * cognac : коньяк ( )
 * rum : ( )
 * water : су ( )
 * club soda : минералды су ( )
 * tonic water : газбен су ( )
 * orange juice : ( )
 * Coke (soda) : ( )
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : ( )
 * One more, please. : ( )
 * Another round, please. : ( )
 * When is closing time? : ( )
 * Cheers! (To health!): денсаулык! ( )

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : ( )
 * How much is this? : мынау қанша? ( )
 * That's too expensive. : Мынау өте қымбат. ( )
 * Would you take _____? : ( )
 * expensive : өте қымбат ( )
 * cheap : арзан ( )
 * I can't afford it. : ( )
 * I don't want it. : қаламаймын ( )
 * You're cheating me. : ( )
 * I'm not interested. : қызықтырмады (..)
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * Can I have a bag? : ( )
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : ( )
 * I need... : Маған... керек ( )
 * ...toothpaste. : тіс пастасы/тістің борын ( )
 * ...a toothbrush. : тіс щеткасы ( )
 * ...tampons. : тампон/мақта тамғыш ( )
 * ...soap. : сабын ( )
 * ...shampoo. : шампунь ( )
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : ( )
 * ...cold medicine. : ( )
 * ...stomach medicine. : ... ( )
 * ...a razor. : ( )
 * ...an umbrella. : қол шатыр ( )
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ( )
 * ...a postcard. : ( )
 * ...postage stamps. : ( )
 * ...batteries. : батарея ( )
 * ...writing paper. : қағаз ( )
 * ...a pen. : қалам ( )
 * ...English-language books. : ағылшын тілдегі кітап ( )
 * ...English-language magazines. : ағылшын тілдегі журнал ( )
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : ағылшын тілдегі газет ( )
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : ( )

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : Мен көлік жалға алғым келеді ( )
 * Can I get insurance? : ( )
 * stop (on a street sign) : Тоқта ( )
 * one way : ( )
 * yield : ( )
 * no parking : ( )
 * speed limit : жылдамдық шектеу ( )
 * gas (petrol) station : жанармай бекеті ( )
 * petrol : жанармай ( )
 * diesel : дизель ( )

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : Мен еш жамандық жасағам жоқ. ( )
 * It was a misunderstanding. : Бір түсінбеүшілік болыпты. ( )
 * Where are you taking me? : Мені қайда алып бірасыз? ( )
 * Am I under arrest? : Мені тұтқынға алдыңыз ба? ( )
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Мен Америка/ Австралия/ Англия/ Канада азаматымын. ( )
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Мен Америка/ Австралия/ Англия/ Канада елшілігіне сөйлескім(/хабарласқым) келеді. ( )
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : Мен заңгермен сөйлескім келеді. ( )
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : Мен қазір айыппұл төлей алам ба? ( )

Learning more

 * US Peace Corps Kazakh Language Courses is a useful basic language guide transcribed to HTML.

title: Kazakh phrasebook


text:
Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan (Kazakh: Қазақстан Qazaqstan; Russian: Казахстан) is the largest of the states of the former Soviet Union apart from Russia, and it dwarfs the other countries of Central Asia and stretches into Eastern Europe. Kazakhstan is the richest country in the region due to its large oil and natural gas reserves and is also the largest in Central Asia. And while the endless, featureless steppe might repel some visitors the emptiness and mystery of this goliath state keeps many others captivated.

Cities

 * — second largest city, and capital since 1997. Worth visiting but you only need a few days to get to the most worthwhile sights. This city is brand new and being built very rapidly. If you want to see what the old Aqmola looks like, you need to do it now as it is disappearing very rapidly.
 * — largest city, and capital until 1998. Definitely a must-see. Beside the Soviet-style city, you may want to go to the Medeu and other places in the nearby mountains.
 * — oil capital of Kazakhstan, with large onshore Tengiz and offshore Kashagan oilfields nearby
 * — Kazakh city in the very north of the country, founded in 1720, closed until 1992 for its military significance in tank production, and home to one very impressive mosque, as well as other interesting Orthodox churches and various memorials
 * (Semipalatinsk) — university city notorious for the nearby atomic bomb testing site
 * — Kazakhstan's third largest city, very crowded with Uzbek people, it is an old market town located near Tashkent and some beautiful mountains; now booming with oil exploration
 * — another ancient city, long a border town between the Persian culture to the south and the Turkic nomadic culture to the north, now majority Uzbek and home to several important cultural-historical monuments
 * — mining city in the Altai mountains; primarily Russian-speaking
 * — mining city in the Altai mountains; primarily Russian-speaking

Other destinations

 * — a nature reserve
 * — site of the spaceport
 * — a town nearby the Talgar Mountains
 * (Trans-Ili Alatau) — a 200 km long mountain range
 * — a town nearby the Talgar Mountains
 * (Trans-Ili Alatau) — a 200 km long mountain range

History
Ethnic Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were united as a single nation in the mid-16th century. The area was conquered by the Russian Empire in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. The traditionally-nomadic Kazakhs were forced to sedentarize as part of Stalin's collectivization policies. While it became independent following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the country is still home to a large ethnic Russian minority, and the Russian language continues to be widely spoken.

During the launching of the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities, including the Volga Germans) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence has caused many of these newcomers and their descendants to emigrate.

Modern Kazakhstan is a neo-patrimonial state characterized by considerable nepotism and dominance over political and economic affairs by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who stepped down in March 2019 after a 29-year-tenure. However, it is not a severely authoritarian government compared to bordering Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and China and opposition is not usually sacked or imprisoned. Since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Kazakh government has allowed foreign investment to flow into the capital to develop. The development of significant oil and gas reserves, particularly in the north and west, has brought a large amount of wealth to the country, though the money falls into the hands of just a few people. Nevertheless, Kazakhstan is now labelled a middle-income country, and is already classified with a high human development index. Corruption in Kazakhstan is ubiquitous compared to China, but it is not as widespread as other countries in the region.

Religion
While Islam is the majority religion, Kazakhstan is nevertheless a secular state with a significant Christian minority, and the variety of Islam practised here tends to be more liberal than that in the Middle East.

Economy
Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets (an oil pipeline to China has been built; the gas pipeline is under construction); achieving a sustainable economic growth outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors, and strengthening relations with surrounding states and other foreign powers. Kazakhstan is also a key part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, with plans for a high-speed rail through Kazakhstan linking China to Europe.

Visitor information

 * Visit Kazakhstan website

Get in
Historically, entering Kazakhstan used to be a hassle. The Kazakh government is keen on opening up Kazakhstan to the rest of the world and today, most people can enter the country without a visa.

Entry requirements
Citizens of the following countries (ordinary passport holders) may enter Kazakhstan without a visa for up to a certain number of days:
 * 14 days: China (mainland), Hong Kong, India and Iran
 * 30 days: Australia, Austria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Vatican City, United Kingdom, Hungary, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Israel, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Qatar, Cyprus, Colombia, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Ecuador, Estonia and Japan
 * 90 days: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine

Check the Kazakh government website for the latest list. All other nationalities are required to obtain a visa in advance, which will require you to present a letter of invitation from a resident of Kazakhstan. If you are joining a package tour, the tour company can usually procure the letter of invitation for an additional fee; check with the company to be sure.

If you know in advance that your stay will be longer, e.g. for work, then you need a visa, which will need to be supported by an official Letter of Invitation from the employer or agency in Kazakhstan. For more information see Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. For tourist visits where you're enjoying the country so much that you want to stay on, the simplest way is to take a trip to neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, which also has no visa requirement for many countries, and come straight back to gain another 30-day stay. There's no limit how often you do this.

Registration (card): this practice has been discontinued since 2020 - you now only get an entry and an exit stamp.

By plane
Kazakhstan's flag carrier is Air Astana which flies into Almaty and Astana from Abu Dhabi, Moscow, Delhi, Beijing, Istanbul, Bangkok, Baku, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt, and Seoul.

Air Astana keeps a monopoly on some international routes by limiting which airlines can fly to Kazakhstan.

Lufthansa also has daily flights to Almaty, from where you can go anywhere via local carrier SCAT, which flies to most cities in Kazakhstan. There is also a non-stop connection twice a week from Prague, operated by Czech airlines. Turkish Airlines is a good passenger carrier, with flights to Istanbul (ask a travel agent about the student fares, which can be a great deal).

There are twice a week flights from Seoul to Almaty; one is with Asiana Airlines, and the other is Astana. Airbaltic also flies to Almaty; if you reserve tickets in advance, you can go there for €130 (from Riga).

Etihad flies weekly from Abu Dhabi to Astana. Flight time is around 4½ hours.

Taxi fares from the airport to the city range are 2,000-3,000 tenge.

A Russian transit visa is needed if changing planes in Russia when travelling to or from Kazakhstan.

By train
Trains in Kazakhstan are slow but comfortable and clean. Popular routes include Almaty to/from Moscow (77 hours), Novosibirsk (35 hours) and Ürümqi, China (34 hours). Count on a 3–4 hr stay at the Russian border or 6–8 hr at the Chinese border. Trains in Kazakhstan can also be booked on-line. For trains use Railways.KZ and book Talgo trains are much more modern and the smell of the bathroom makes the slight increase in price entirely worth it.

By car
You can enter Kazakhstan by car through many of the border checkpoints on main roads into the country. However, be prepared to wait up to 24 hours in the queues, with rather poor facilities.

From China
It is fairly easy to travel from Ürümqi to Almaty via sleeper bus, especially if you aren't in a hurry and don't mind living on a bus for 24 to 36 hours. The border crossing itself is a bit of a hike, and you may be made to carry all of your belongings with you for quite a way in some seriously warm weather. The bus trip and "baggage fees" are around US$45. You can pick up your Kazakhstan visa at the consulate in Ürümqi as well, but be prepared to chill for at least a week waiting, and be sure to get a copy of your passport before handing it over.

From Kyrgyzstan
It is a straight forward 3½-4½ hr (mini) bus ride from Bishkek to Almaty for about 1,200-1,800 tenge, depending on the option you choose (e.g. 500 som directly from the Bishkek Western Bus Station). For more information, see Almaty.

By boat
Freighters travel regularly between Baku and Aktau, and it is possible to hitch a ride. It is common for ships to be held up, even for weeks, before entering port, so you had better stock up on food and water before boarding. See freighter travel to better understand how this works.

Get around
You can travel within the country using taxis, buses, trains and planes, it depends on your budget and demands.

By bus
In Semipalatinsk (Semey) a marshrutka costs 35 tenge, and a large bus costs 35-40 tenge. In Astana it ranges between 60-65 tenge.

Public buses
Public transportation in big cities is rather popular. You can use buses, trolleys, trams and minibuses. One big minus of all of them is that they never come on schedule and very crowded on peak time. Moreover, there is absolutely no plan with bus stops and schedule whatsoever. If you don't speak Russian, taking the bus will be quite tricky but not impossible.

Marshrutkas
Similar to regular buses and another cheap way to get around is by taking a marshrutka. These are the dilapidated transport vans that cruise around or between towns. They usually have a sign (in Russian) listing the destination, and the driver will usually call out where they are going. However, you will not find them operating inside of Almaty city.

Long-distance buses
They're a popular alternative to trains and are faster, but less comfortable. Similarly to train travel, you will need to buy your ticket in advance and will be given a seat number. Be careful when the bus makes a toilet stop, the driver often does not check whether all the passengers are on board before driving away!

Fares are relatively low, for instance a single from Almaty to Karaganda (14 hr) will cost you 2,500 tenge—much cheaper than a flight ticket.

By taxi
Use taxis as they are very cheap (€2-6 within the city). You don't have to use official taxis in most cities, basically you can stop almost any car on the street by raising your hand. It works well in Almaty & Astana, but in Karaganda the best way is one of taxis by phone. It some cheaper and even faster than hitch-hike waiting.

Apps such as Uber or Bolt do not work in Kazakhstan, but you can download Yandex Go and use this for everything. However, you will need a burner Apple/Google Play account locked to the Kazakhstan market and a Kazakh number to set up the account. If you are staying there for any length, this is highly advisable as they are cheap and efficient nationwide.

Getting to the Almaty airport can be expensive. Taxis to the airport vary greatly in price. Any foreigner will be quoted a very expensive rate but usually drivers will come down once they see they aren't going to be able to get that much. US$50 is outlandish. Do not accept the first price as it will result in your being overcharged. It should be less than US$10, although it can never be guaranteed that a foreigner will get that price. A better option are the minibuses and buses that go to the airport. The word "airport" is very similar in Russian and English.

A common way to get around is by unofficial taxis. Any time of day, just wave your hand and someone will stop. Locals do this all the time. Negotiate the price and destination before you agree to go. About US$2-4 is fair for a ride within the centre of Almaty. If your Russian is poor or non-existent, you will be charged a lot more than locals; to avoid this, try to use public buses as much as you can and don't hesitate to tell the driver how much you are ready to pay (do this before he tells you how much he wants). To be safe though, do not get in a car if more than one person is driving. Also, do not take these kind of taxis for long distances or anywhere that goes through remote areas, as there are frequent robberies, especially of foreigners.

Always try to have exact amount of money in cash (the price which you negotiated with a taxi driver), since usually they will not give you change. So if the price should be 350 tenge, give the driver 350 tenge, not more (as he or she might not give change).

Shared taxis (usually old Mercedeses with room for 4 passengers) are a common means of transport between the big cities in the south (for example: Taraz - Shymkent, Shymkent - Turkestan). They usually leave where the marshrutkas leave from as well, and are slightly more expensive (and slightly faster). Often used by the local elderly and women.

By rail
Train is the most popular way of covering the huge distances between Kazakhstan's main cities. The main railway stations are in Astana, Karaganda and Almaty, but stations can be found in almost every big city.

The rolling stock, train classes, ticket and reservation systems were inherited from the former Soviet Railways, so they are very similar to the Russian train system.

Ticket prices are slightly lower than in Russia. Kazakh Railways tickets can be bought online.

Kazakhstan is a large country. For instance, it will take you almost 24 hours to get from Almaty to Astana. However, going by train is a very fun way of travelling, since the trains are a great way to meet people. A lot has been written about the pitfalls of being included in a vodka drinking party on a train, but for the most part fellow travellers are friendly, and keen to find out about you ("why aren't you married?" and, if you are, "why don't you have children?", and if you do, "why don't they have children?"!) Most travellers take food for the journey, as restaurant car provision is sporadic (and they expect you to share yours too!). If you don't have enough to last the distance, the trains generally stop for 15–20 minutes at each station and there are always people on the platform selling food and drink, at any time of day or night.

There is also a train called the Talgo, which can cover the distance from Almaty and Astana in 9 hours. The cost of the ticket is about 9,000 tenge.

By plane
Air Astana provides offices in a few major hotels in big cities; it's the fastest way of travelling within the city for those who can afford it. Planes are brand new and match European standards in quality. Qazaq Air and SCAT are cheaper alternatives and also provide connections between major Kazakh cities, with the most frequently served connection being the route Astana - Almaty.

By car
Renting a car is rather costly compared to other means of transport.

The traffic culture is different from that in the West. Cars and roads in Kazakhstan are often in poor condition. The use of seat belts on the front seats is compulsory and carefully enforced by the police. However, rear seat belts are often not worn or not used. In general, traffic rules are not always respected and speeding is common.

There are relatively few petrol stations on the roads, so if you are going on a longer journey, it is a good idea to take enough fuel with you, including for spare tanks. It is a good idea to buy fuel only from well-known petrol station chains because of the uneven quality of the fuel sold.

Avoid driving at night. In most urban areas, only the main roads are lit. In winter, road surfaces are often dangerously slippery and in winter, roads outside towns and cities may be closed due to snowstorms or high winds.

Talk

Kazakh and Russian are the two official languages of Kazakhstan. Of the two, Russian is the most useful language.

Kazakh is a Turkic language and shares a high degree of mutual intelligibility with Kyrgyz.

Kazakhs are very proud of their native language; demonstrating interest in or speaking a few words of Kazakh will be met with jovial, delighted reactions!

Many people under age 20 will know some English, as will many customs officials and airport staff.

It is difficult to get around the country without some Russian or Kazakh language skills; though, within the more modernized cities, it is easier. Have your place of residence written on a card and get a taxi if you get lost (you might be somewhat overcharged by the taxi, but it is better than being lost).

See
As the Kazakhs were traditionally nomads who lived on horseback, Kazakhstan for the most part lacks the monumental Islamic architecture of neighboring Uzbekistan. However, Kazakhstan makes up for this with its wealth of natural beauty, which can be seen in the wide open spaces between its cities.

Visitors wanting to experience the traditional Kazakh nomadic lifestyle will likely be disappointed. Under Stalin's collectivization policy during the period of Soviet rule, the Kazakhs were forced to sedentarize and become farmers, all but wiping out the nomadic tradition within the borders of modern Kazakhstan. There are opportunities for tourists to stay in Kazakh yurts, but these were re-created in the post-Soviet era as tourist attractions, and are not an authentic part of the daily lives of regular Kazakh people. Nevertheless, traditional Kazakh clothing still reflects that nomadic heritage and traditional life on horseback, the horse remains an important part of Kazakh culture, which visitors can see on display in its full glory during major traditional festivals. Perhaps ironically, the traditional Kazakh nomadic lifestyle is better preserved among the ethnic Kazakh minorities in Western Mongolia and China's Xinjiang province than in Kazakhstan, making those better destinations if that is what you are looking to experience.
 * Baikonur – The famous cosmodrome site for the launch of the first manned orbital flight by Yuri Gagarin. The modern town of Baikonur was built near the existing village of Tyuratam. As the cosmodrome area (6,000 km2) is rented by Russia, no Kazakh visa is needed if you fly in directly from Moscow. Tours can be organised but reportedly these take weeks to be approved by Russian authorities.
 * Köl-Say Lakes
 * The modern buildings of Astana – A contrast to most of the rest of Kazakhstan
 * Endless desert and steppe in much of the country
 * The Altai mountains in eastern Kazakhstan, and other mountain chains along the southern border.

Money
The national currency is tenge, denoted by the symbol "₸" or "T" (Cyrillic: тенге, ISO code: KZT). On Wikivoyage we use tenge to denote the currency, e.g. 100 tenge. Coins come in denominations of ₸1-, ₸2-, ₸5-, ₸10-, ₸20-, ₸50-, ₸100 and ₸200. Banknotes come in denominations of ₸200-, ₸500-, ₸1,000-, ₸2,000-, ₸5,000-, ₸10,000 and ₸20,000.

Costs
Kazakhstan is slightly more expensive than Uzbekistan, but still cheaper than Turkmenistan. A street snack costs around US$0.30-0.70. A night in a dorm in the big cities is US$10-20. A more comfortable double room is US$60-80.

Shopping
Even for people who are not big shoppers, the beautifully crafted felt items will appeal. They are also easy to carry and inexpensive to post.

Eat
Meat, potatoes, rice and pasta. And lots of it. If you're vegetarian be wary, because if it doesn't have meat in it, it will be almost certainly cooked in meat stock. Some recommended dishes:
 * Beshbarmak - "five fingers", a horse meat and pasta dish with potato and onion. The national traditional dish of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan most often served for special occasions. Can also be made with beef or lamb. Most restaurants that serve it will present a portion enough for two or three people.
 * Kazy - handmade horse meat sausage, could be cooked and served with Beshbarmak, but not at the restaurants, unless you ask to do so when preorder menu. If you did not, it would be served as cold meat appetizer with other types of cold meat appetizers (Zhaya, Basturma, Shyzhyk). And separate price would be charged. Kazakh dish.
 * Laghman - a thick noodle dish with meat, carrot and onion, usually served as a soup.Some other veggies could be added too.
 * Manty - large steamed dumplings full of meat and onions. Sometimes made with onions or pumpkin. Traditional Uighur dish.
 * Plov - wonderful dish of fried rice, meat, carrots, and sometimes other bits such as raisins or tomatoes. Traditional Uzbek dish.
 * Shashlyk or Shish Kebab - skewered, roasted chunks of marinated meat, served with some sort of flatbread (usually lavash) and onions. Various marinates can be used, and different ways to cook it, open fire or other.
 * Baursaky - bread best served piping hot. A little like an unsweetened doughnut. Kazakh.
 * Pelmeni - boiled dumplings made from different kinds of meat or potato. Russian.

If you're a vegetarian, you're probably thinking there's nothing for you in Kazakhstan. And you're right, if you eat out. But if you're cooking your own food, you'll be more than satisfied. Kazakhstan has some excellent products available at little markets everywhere. You will be amazed at the taste and availability of fresh organic veggies at low price! For a treat in Almaty, try Govinda's, a delicious vegetarian Hare Krishna restaurant. Malls have food courts with some vegetarian options too. Even some small Kazakh eateries will prepare vegetarian meals for you if you make it very clear to them (e.g. "byez myasa" (without meat), "ya vegeterianetz" (I [male] am a vegetarian), "ya vegetarianka" (I [female] am a vegetarian) in Russian). At some places (e.g. smak) you can even find vegetarian manty made with pumpkin.

The legacy of Korean resettlement in Kazakhstan means that Korean dishes, particularly salads, are very common. At the country's many bazaars (independent food and goods markets), look for the Korean ladies selling these. They will wrap you up any number of delicious, often spicy and garlicky salads to take away in plastic bags. If you are vegetarian, this may be the only decent thing you get to eat while you're in the country.

On the other hand, in Kazakhstan you can find any dishes you want, but Chinese and Japanese dishes are very expensive. The most delicious is caviar, which is very cheap, you can buy 1 kilo of caviar for less than US$300 in Almaty Zyeloniy Bazaar, but you can't export or take it with you home; you will be stopped at the airport and pay high fines.

Eating out is relatively cheap; you basically order the meat dish and then add rice, potatoes, etc. Each element is priced individually, so you can order for instance only meat or only rice. Prices are relatively cheap, count 500 tenge for chicken, 1,000 tenge for beef, and up to 1,500 tenge for horse, a local delicacy. Of course, the fancier the restaurant, the higher the price. If you don't speak Russian, things are relatively hard as the majority of restaurants don't have English menus (with the exception of some hyped places in Almaty).

While Kazakhs are not very religious, most do not eat pork. Be aware of this if you are dining out with Kazakhs or planning a dinner at home. Also many dishes that are made elsewhere with pork (such as dumplings or sausage) are made with beef or mutton here.

Drink

Traditional beverages include:

 * Kumiss - fermented mare's milk, up to 6% alcohol content. Imagine tart lemonade, mixed with semi-sour milk.
 * Kumyran (Shubat)- fermented camel's milk
 * Kvas - described as similar to root beer it can be bought in a bottle in a store, or by the cup from people with giant yellowish tanks of it on the street.
 * Tan. Fizzy beverage made of mare's milk.
 * Cheap alcoholic drinks can be found at every little corner shop (called the astanovka). These places are open 24/7, just knock on their door if the shopkeeper is asleep.  Kazakhstan's speciality is cognac, though stores still sell vodka cheaper than bottled water at times. However, some of these astanovka sometimes sell alcohol of dubious origin; for the sake of your stomach you may want to buy your beverage in a supermarket, although the price will definitely be higher.
 * Several brands of beer, of good quality and flavor, are made in Karaganda. Becker, Staut, Tian-Shan, Derbes, Irbis, Alma-Ata. Local brands brewed in Almaty are pretty good.
 * Juices, in cartons, are common and delicious, especially peach juice.
 * Tea is widely available, mostly very good and often quite strong. If you are on a budget this is the thing to order with your food. Tea is culturally important in Kazakhstan - "shai" time is one of the most important things a visitor can engage in to learn about the culture.
 * Coffee. Modern coffee houses and western-style cafés are appearing. They serve good coffee. Coffeedelia (Kabanbai batyr and Furmanov) is popular with expats and does OK coffee. One of the best coffee in Almaty can be found at 4A Coffee where they roast their own daily. Gloria Jeans and Marone Rosso also can be found.
 * Wine. Try the local variety. A good one can be had for less than US$4 a bottle. "Bibigul" is perhaps the most consistently good wine, and it comes in a semi-dry red or semi-dry white. Avoid drinking wine in restaurants. It's usually very expensive.
 * Vodka. Good vodka at US$8–10 per bottle. In restaurants that do not usually cater to foreigners you get 20(!) cl if you order a vodka, smaller servings not available. Buy a bottle of "Kazakhstan" vodka to take back. It is in a pretty bottle with a picture of Kazakh hunting with a falcon seen through a "window". Try Edil vodka, which is made with the pantacrene of local deer antlers.

Sleep
There are numerous hotels, from very cheap ones (€10 per night) to the luxurious ones. You wouldn't find the cheapest ones on the web; the only way to book them is to call directly, but in that case you'll have to speak Russian at the least.

There are almost no camping sites except in Burabay/Borovoe in Kazakhstan. You can, however, camp almost anywhere due to the huge uninhabited spots. The scenery is beautiful but because of the very hot weather: don't forget to take plenty of water with you as you can very easily spend many of days without seeing anybody. If you camp near a nomadic tribe, ask for the permission to stay near; it will not be refused.

Work
Unlike certain European countries still recovering from recession, Kazakhstan abounds in employment or business opportunities. Skilled professionals may be able to find a job in the energy or educational sector. Salaries tend to decrease as the country is working towards ensuring equal pay for locals and expatriate staff. Expatriate candidates must obtain a work permit. It is difficult to get a work permit.

Stay safe
Kazakhstan is a country where the population has a long history of balanced, harmonious, multi-ethnic social interaction, where both guests and locals are treated with respect during everyday life, with certain exceptions (described below in more detail). Visitors will experience hospitality and warmth in this country. However, your personal safety may vary from very safe to relatively unsafe depending on your location, time of the day, circumstances, and your personal behaviour. Unlike in some other former Soviet Union countries, black, South Asian and Middle Eastern people should feel comfortable.

Generally, Kazakh cities are safe during the day, but certain parts of major cities should be avoided at night to reduce risk, namely, all parts of Almaty below Tashkentskaya street and all microdistrict areas within these zones, certain other remote microdistricts, and areas with high concentrations of shabby private houses (such as Shanyrak) and all smaller towns such as Shar, Stepnogorsk, and Temirtau may present a higher risk of mugging and violent crime.

In smaller towns, e.g. Taraz, Balkhash, Shymkent, Taldykorgan, Uralsk, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk, going out at night should not present a significant risk, though infrequent muggings do ocur.

Although illegal, prostitution has become widespread in many big cities lately. Usually prostitutes work in hotels, night clubs or saunas. Also, local classified newspapers typically have a whole section dedicated to escort services. Many sex workers in Kazakhstan are in fact from neighbouring less economically developed states such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Keep your passport (or a certified copy of your passport and visa) with you at all times. While the situation has improved lately, police might still try to extort money from foreigners, especially on trains and long-distance buses. Unless the officers involved are drunk, it is possible to avoid paying them by pretending not to understand, or by claiming poverty.

The risk of violent crime is comparable with Eastern European countries and rougher parts of major US cities. An ordinary tourist should not experience any violent crime and is unlikely to be a target of minor crimes, if their behaviour stays within generally accepted norms in public places. Excessive consumption of alcohol and visiting a nightclub will always present a higher risk, especially if a person goes out alone. It is advisable to go out as a group, or even better, with locals. Late at night, people speaking foreign languages may receive extra attention from local police, who have been known to falsely accuse a person of petty crimes, make an arrest, and attempt to obtain a 1,000-5,000 tenge cash payment "fine". Mobile phones work in most places and should be used to call a local-language speaking friend.

A foreign man soliciting a local woman on the streets or in a nightclub may draw unwanted attention from locals, or might result in arguments. Normal western attention and respect for women and children, including a smile or kind greeting, can be taken by a local husband or father as threatening or offensive.

Carrying expensive phones, watches and jewellery; or otherwise demonstrating wealth in public may result in closer attention from pickpockets and potential criminals. Outside Almaty and Astana, this should be avoided.

There is zero tolerance for any drugs, and trace amounts may result in criminal investigation, prosecution and a prison sentence. Prisons are known to be dangerous and often inhumane.

Careless and drunk driving is a problem. It is always advisable to obey traffic rules and wear seat belts. In most cities, using local taxis may present a higher risk than official public transportation due to many taxis operating unlicensed with incompetent drivers. Situations of unlicensed taxi drivers demanding additional fees before releasing luggage from their boot, or driving off and stealing luggage are more common than would be expected in western cities with a well-regulated taxi industry. It's advisable to keep your valuables and passport in your pockets and your most valuable bag on your lap. Public transportation and taxis are much less expensive than in western cities.

Major criminal organisations are active in the Shu valley, between Taraz and Almaty. Locals widely report a heavy police presence, and that corrupt police are known to plant drugs on both local and foreign visitors.

Watch out for food poisoning from shady vendors in smaller towns. In Astana, completely legitimate cafes may include milder drugs in their drinks menu. A misunderstanding can get the unwary traveler lots more than he bargained for.

There have been cases of violence against foreign workers in West Kazakhstan. A housing camp of Turkish workers was destroyed, with many workers assaulted, due to anger about foreigners taking local jobs and an alleged rape of a local woman.

Stay healthy
In general, the level of health care and hygiene is not up to Western standards. When travelling to smaller places, it is a good idea to bring your own medical supplies. There may also be a shortage of medicines.

In an emergency, call an ambulance at the general hospital on duty on 103. However, you should consider using local hospitals.

When travelling to forested and mountainous areas, especially in the early summer months, tick-borne encephalitis should be taken into account. Tuberculosis and HIV are also present in the country. There have been a few cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in South Kazakhstan and cases of Lyme disease in rural areas.

In order to avoid stomach infections and food poisoning, particular attention should be paid to hygiene when preparing food and drinks, especially during the summer months. The municipal water is more or less drinkable, with no real nasties, but try to boil it if possible. Bottled water is cheap and easily available. When at restaurants, ask specifically for Asu, Borjomi, Sary-Agash or Tassay mineral waters. Many other widely-known water brands can be found in restaurants and supermarkets. If you have to use tap water, it is advisable to boil the water before using it.

Travellers should have comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for aircraft evacuation in the event of serious illness or accident. Many hospitals either do not accept international travel insurance at all or only accept it from certain insurance companies. Payment by international credit card is not possible in all hospitals, so payment must be made in local cash (tenge). Before you travel, check with your insurance company which clinic in Kazakhstan you should contact in case of an emergency.

Respect
Kazakh people have more pride than most Westerners would expect. Therefore, insulting or negative comments about Kazakhstan or local Kazakh people will often result in arguments and possible threats of physical violence. It is not recommended to get into an argument with locals, as Kazakhstan is a nation where physical power is part of the local culture, and can occasionally lead to a fatal last argument.

Do not associate the country with Borat. Kazakhs believe the movie misrepresents and defames the country, and are quite tired of hearing of Borat jokes and comments. That aside, the catchphrase "Very nice" was used in a tourism promotion campaign.

Phone numbers
Kazakhstan has used +7 6xx or +7 7xx as its dialling code (as with Russia), but on January 1, 2023, the country started to progressively switch to using +997. However, the +7 code will still be used (through permissive dialling) until the end of 2024.

Go next
The land border can be crossed to Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Check the requirements for crossing the border to Turkmenistan. There is a ferry to Azerbaijan.

title: Kazakhstan


text:
Kazakhstani North

The Kazakhstani North is comprised of the provinces of Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and Akmola. You will find the new capital of the country here, as well as most of the country's major industrial cities. The Kazakhstani North also is home to most of Kazakhstan's large Russian ethnic minority. Make no mistake, here you are moving out of Central Asia and into cold, cold Siberia.

Cities

 * — a medium-sized coal city, also home to a large power plant
 * (formerly Nur-Sultan) — the national capital
 * — a big coal city, home to the world's biggest open-cast coal field, and former home to gulag prisoner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
 * — the administrative center of Akmola Region
 * — one of the few cities in the north of any touristic interest, with an attractive, unique mosque, several memorials, and some hotels that cater to people other than energy-sector businessmen
 * — the oldest Russian city in the country, founded in 1720, closed until 1992 for its military significance in tank production, and home to one very impressive mosque, as well as other interesting Orthodox churches and various memorials
 * — another former Russian fort town, now the center of the North Kazakhstan Province
 * — an iron-mining city

Other destinations

 * — The little Switzerland is a spot you don't want to miss when travelling to Kazakhstan. Only a few hours by train from Astana, hotels are very demanded in summer and an early booking is necessary. Camping can be done without any problem as the nature is quite wild as of July 2008. However, the place has been chosen as a tourist resort and in the next few years it might lose its untamed appearance.
 * , Kostanay Province. Together with Korgalzhyn (below), this nature reserve comprises the Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan UNESCO World Heritage site. Both contain wetlands on the steppe which serve as a rare habitat for a diverse range of bird species, many of them endangered, as well as various other steppe flora and fauna.
 * , Aqmola Province. Korgalzhyn stands out from Naurzum for its very popular pink flamingo population.
 * , Aqmola Province. Korgalzhyn stands out from Naurzum for its very popular pink flamingo population.

title: Kazakhstani North


text:
Kazan

Kazan (Russian: Каза́нь kuh-ZAHN) is the capital of Russia's republic of Tatarstan and the center of the world Tatar culture.

Understand
With a population of about 1.3 million (2011 census), rich history, deep culture and strong economic influence. Kazan holds the title of "The Third Capital of Russia" (after Moscow and Saint Petersburg), taking this title from the competing Nizhny Novgorod. By many measures, Kazan has the one of the highest standards of living in Russia only after Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In the 2010s, Kazan earned the reputation of a sports city due to its investments in this domain. In 2018 it staged several games in the FIFA World Cup Finals. Kazan is also a university city hosting Kazan Federal University (KFU - formerly Kazan State University, TGGPU and the Kazan Finance Institute), Kazan State Technological University (KGTU), Kazan State Technical University (KAI) and "Energa" University. Many foreign students study in Kazan, adding color to the city's tolerant and diverse population. Schools in Kazan and wider Tatarstan tend to be some of Russia's best.

Located between Europe and Asia having both Russian and Tatar populations, Kazan peacefully blends Muslim and Christian cultures. There are also many other religions represented in Kazan, for example, in the city center there is a synagogue and new Catholic church. This vibrant city with over 1,000 years of history is an excellent travel destination and the number of tourists visiting is rapidly increasing every year.

Climate is Continental, but not as severe as Siberia. Summers are pleasantly warm (and wet) and winters drop to around -10 C.

By plane

A reasonably priced Polyot Hotel is within walking distance from the terminal building.

The airport is southeast of the city and quite far from the city center. It is served by Aeroexpress trains that depart from the main station (Kazan-1) with a 2-hr interval. Travel time is 20 min, the 2nd class ticket costs ₽200 (2013). A taxi from the train station to the airport takes about 60–90 minutes and starts from ₽600 (when ordered in advance), although it may run well above ₽1000 when you hail a random cab at the terminal and refrain from bargaining. You can also take a taxi to the nearest metro station (Prospekt Pobedy) which is 15 min from the city center and continue by public transport. Or, reach this metro station in about 40 min with bus 97 that runs on a somewhat irregular schedule between 05:30 and 18:00 with 30-40 min intervals.

By train
See Russia for general advice on travelling in Russia by train. Kazan has two major train stations:

Lots of food options close to the station: long-distance trains may halt at Kazan-1 for up to an hour, so if you're slick you should be able to restock en route. As well as the facilities within the station, very close by is Dobraya Stolovaya (self-service cafe) and five minutes walk to the right as you exit brings you to the city market. You can also stock up in the Bakhetle supermarket located on the ground floor of the TsUM mall northeast of the train station. This is also your way to the city center and Kremlin. Kremlevskaya metro station is 10 minutes walk from the train terminal, straight ahead as you exit.

Kazan has good train connections to Moscow (2-3 overnight trains, 11–13 hours) and Saint-Petersburg (daily train, 22 hours). One of the Moscow trains is firmenniy, dubbed Tatarstan, with fancy new double-decker cars and Tatar-style on-board restaurant. Although Kazan is not on the classic Trans-Siberian route (which lies to the north), many trains from Moscow to Siberia and the Far East pass this way, rejoining the classic route at Ekaterinburg (15 hours). Cities like Izhevsk and Ulyanovsk are served at least twice daily (5–6 hours), and there is a suburban train to Yoshkar-Ola (3.5 hours).

By bus
Arriving in Kazan by bus is somewhat less common, unless you travel within Tatarstan, where buses and minibuses are by far the main mode of transportation. When coming by bus, you may find yourself at one of the two city's bus stations:

However, these bus station cater to less than half of bus traffic. Most routes are nowadays served by private-run ("unofficial") buses and minibuses that may terminate in different places, for example, at the train station (Kazan-1), at ploschad Tukaya, at Sovetskaya Sq. in the eastern part of Kazan, etc. The system is haphazard and impossible to track. If you arrive by bus, you will mostly likely find yourself at the train station, which is more or less in the city center. When you leave the city, check where the buses to your destination depart from.

By boat

Although not very active, the boat traffic in the vicinity of Kazan is the only local boat service in the whole Volga region. Hydrofoils sail from Bolgar twice daily and additionally serve a number of small boroughs on the western bank of the river. Boats to Sviyazhsk depart from pier 8 (fast boat in summer every day at 08:30, a slow boat departs at 09:00). But the most frequent boat connection to Kazan is the shuttle to Verkhny Uslon village on the opposite side of the river (see Go Next section). Navigation starts beginning of May and ends in late September or early October. A lot of cruise boats pass through Kazan or terminate here. One-way or return cruises may be reserved from practically any city along the Volga. Check Turflot and infoflot for information about these tours.

Get around
Much of the city centre is walk-able, and the main attractions for tourists - the Kremlin and Bauman Street - are only for pedestrians. Public buses are abundant and cheap, but you need basic Russian to read the signs or ask where the buses are headed. Bus system maps are hard to find. Taxis are available and operate mostly an on-call service, rather than plying the streets for fares. They also congregate at taxi stands in obvious places such as the railway stations. A great option is to install the "Yandex-Taxi" app. It is an easy way to get a reliable taxi for a fixed price. Payment can be made by cash or credit-card. The application is in Russian and English.

Kazan's Metro system has just one line, the red line running from Aviastroitelnaya in the north to Prospekt Pobedy in the south. Visitors are only likely to use it between Kazan-2 railway station (Severny Vokzal «Северный Вокзал») in the north, Kremlyovskaya («Кремлёвская») ie the Kremlin in the centre, and Ploshchad Tukaya («Площадь Тукая») which has eating places and hotels.

Kazan Kremlin

 * Just inside the gate to the left is the small
 * Next to the cathedral is the small
 * The Palace of the President of Tatarstan may not be visited, except by VIPs in plush limousines. However the Palace Church, entrance next to the Tower, is open.
 * Next to the cathedral is the small
 * The Palace of the President of Tatarstan may not be visited, except by VIPs in plush limousines. However the Palace Church, entrance next to the Tower, is open.
 * Next to the cathedral is the small
 * The Palace of the President of Tatarstan may not be visited, except by VIPs in plush limousines. However the Palace Church, entrance next to the Tower, is open.
 * Next to the cathedral is the small
 * The Palace of the President of Tatarstan may not be visited, except by VIPs in plush limousines. However the Palace Church, entrance next to the Tower, is open.
 * The Palace of the President of Tatarstan may not be visited, except by VIPs in plush limousines. However the Palace Church, entrance next to the Tower, is open.

Obeservatories
In 2023, two observatories in Kazan were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the Astronomical Observatories of Kazan Federal University:

Do
Kazan offers a lot of various events you can visit during your stay here - international opera and ballet festival, different types of music festivals, popular singers concerts and many other interesting things to do. A must-see event in Tatarstan is a national holiday Sabantuy - Tatar summer festival, which is celebrated in the beginning of June.

In summer 2013 four double-decker buses began circulating along their routes in Kazan by "City Sightseeing" company. Tourists will ride on them through the city's downtown and see the main attractions, historical landmarks, and architectural beauties of Tatarstan's capital with their own eyes, and not merely see them, but also learn many interesting things about them. The two-level tour buses have been equipped with an audio guide. The audio recording designed to acquaint guests will the city functions in eight languages: Russian, Tatar, English, French, Spanish, German, Turkish, and Chinese. However the buses have not been seen in 2019.

Stroll Bauman Street. The pedestrian zone that stretches between the Kremlin and Tokai Square and the Hotel Tatarstan. This is Kazan's Arbat, with boutiques, souvenir shops and kiosks, cafes, bars, and plenty of opportunities for people-watching. The statuary (such as a bronze carriage) is especially interesting.

Watch football at

Events

 * International opera festival named after Fedor Shalyapin - annually in February.
 * Russian festival of Folklore "Karavon" - annually in May.
 * International festival of classic ballet named after Rudolf Nuriev - annually in May.
 * Summer Tatar festival Sabantuy - annually in June.
 * International handicraft festival "Spasskaya Yarmarka" in Elabuga city - annually in August.
 * International jazz music festival "Jazz v usadbe Sandetskogo" - annually in August.
 * International open-air opera festival "Kazanskaya osen" (Kazan autumn) - annually in September or 30 August. Entrance is free.
 * Kazan International festival of Muslim cinema - annually in September.

Buy
Souvenirs from Kazan reflects Tatar culture and ethnic colour. You can buy items with national ornaments and scenes from Tatar folk tales, mosque figurines and many others.

The most popular souvenir, that each tourist want to buy, is Tatar national male headwear "Tubeteika".

Tatar national handicrafts is especially known for its unique leather art and tanning. This kind of very soft, yet long wearing leather called "safyan". Using ancient technologies, craftsmen make amazing items from leather - shoes, bags, slippers, keyfob etc.

Shopping and entertainment centers you can visit are:
 * "Mega" is for a family holiday. It's really all organically combined: a relaxing atmosphere conducive to the implementation of the shopping, places for recreation and leisure, entertainment venues.
 * "Koltso". The name of the shopping center "The Ring" was due to the location. It is an area that many residents of Kazan call the "Ring." It appeared in the city in 1768, and the project is creating the architect Vasily Kaftyrev. Historical background, and a convenient location shopping and entertainment areas account for its huge popularity.
 * "GUM". Updated GUM is a 6 floors, which have clothes, shoes, accessories, jewelry and watch showrooms, shops Perfumery and cosmetics. In restaurants and cafes you can find a wide variety of Russian, Tatar, European, Oriental, Chinese, Mexican and Syrian cuisine.
 * "TSUM". was founded in 1940. The complex is located in the historical center of Kazan, and has a rich past. TSUM always changes with the city, and today it is a large shopping complex with a convenient location and ample car parking.
 * Bazar: between the Kreml and the Railwaystation, you may find everything you need (from shoes to hats). Outside there are many fresh fruits and cheap berry sellers. Do not forget to have a try at the bakeryes in the morning and eat some fresh local bread.

Eat
Self-caterers can find a large supermarket (one of the Bakhetle chain) in the TsUM building across from the Mirage Hotel. Please note that the Tartarian cuisine has a lot of meat to offer. It is not always easy to find fish or vegetarian food.

Budget

 * There are four student cafes at 22 Universitetskaya St. These are Salad, Marinad, Rita v Ritme and Blyuz-Rok.
 * Syuyumbike is a chain of budget restaurants serving Halal Muslim food in Tatar and Uzbek style. Locals come for lunch, but they're mostly open 24/7. No alcohol. Don't expect something special. Branches include:
 * 31 Gabdully Tukaya St, 1 km S of Kazan-1 railway station in Tatar district.
 * 102 Gabdully Tukaya St, another km south in Tatar district
 * 64 Bol'shaya Krasnaya St: 1 km east of Kremlin, open 08:00-20:00.
 * 31 Gabdully Tukaya St, 1 km S of Kazan-1 railway station in Tatar district.
 * 102 Gabdully Tukaya St, another km south in Tatar district
 * 64 Bol'shaya Krasnaya St: 1 km east of Kremlin, open 08:00-20:00.

Mid-range

 * Western fast food: If you're homesick for this, it's available in Kazan most hours of the day:
 * McDonalds are at 4 Said-Galeyeva St (daily 06:00-00:00), 70A Bauman St and 1 Peterburgskaya, with another north of the river off Prospekt Yamasheva.
 * KFC are at 86 Baumann St (Su-Th 07:00-23:00, F Sa 07:00-02:00) and 1 Peterburgskaya St, plus north of the river at 69 Chistpol'skaya St and south-east at 51 Vishnevskogo St.
 * Burger King are at 4 Pushkin St (daily 07:00-03:00) and 48 Moskovskaya St, plus 56 Prospekt Ibrahimov north of the river, in Gorki Park shopping centre to the south, and at 141 Prospekt Pebody in the eastern burbs.
 * KFC are at 86 Baumann St (Su-Th 07:00-23:00, F Sa 07:00-02:00) and 1 Peterburgskaya St, plus north of the river at 69 Chistpol'skaya St and south-east at 51 Vishnevskogo St.
 * Burger King are at 4 Pushkin St (daily 07:00-03:00) and 48 Moskovskaya St, plus 56 Prospekt Ibrahimov north of the river, in Gorki Park shopping centre to the south, and at 141 Prospekt Pebody in the eastern burbs.

Coffee

 * IQ Intellect Cafe: see IQ Bar below.
 * IQ Intellect Cafe: see IQ Bar below.

Stay safe
Since the '70s, Kazan has long the reputation of being one of the least safe city of Russia. The "Kazan phenomenon" of street gangs even became a journalistic and sociological concept. However, since the late 1990s, situation change fundamentally. Kazan has become host city for a lot of large international events. As a result, there was a modernization of police, so crime rate decreased significantly. For example, during the World Summer Universiade in 2013, a lot of citizens and guests shared their impressions, that they felt safe like never before, even walking in the city centre in the night.

Connect
Internet cafes and restaurants with Wi-Fi are found throughout the city. Probably the most useful internet cafe for travelers is a small one across from the train station. From the main station building, cross through the park and cross the main street. It is at the corner to your left, but hidden behind a newspaper stand and some kiosks.

The post office in Kremlyovskaya St. has seven computers with internet access, for around ₽36/hour. Pay in advance at the register. Your unspent minutes will be refunded.

Tattelecom on the corner of Baumana and Pushkina, opposite the Koljco mall, has computers with ok Internet for ₽48 per hour. Up Pushkina there are a few cafes and restaurants with free unprotected Wi-Fi. Also, outside of the Subway restaurant further up on Pushkina there is free unprotected Wi-Fi. Mcdonalds also has free Wi-Fi (on Baumana and by the train station).

A simpler way to get connected to the big world is to buy a SIM card. SIM cards are cheap and give you a constant fast and reliable connection.

Consulates

 * 🇮🇷 Iran

Visa centers

 * 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇮 Finland 🇬🇷 Greece 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇲🇹 Malta 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇪🇸 Spain
 * 🇮🇹 Italy

Go next
The Raifa Monastery 30 miles from Kazan, on the shore of a beautiful lake, in the middle of the forest, behind a white granite wall, in the center of a great National Park you will find one of the pearls of 17th-century Russian architecture: the Raifa Bogoroditsky Monastery. The greatest object of this monastery is the Georgian Mother of God icon, which in its day was venerated as a miraculous object with the power to heal the sick. Today the Raifa Monastery is among the most-visited in the world. The grounds of the monastery are located within the Volga-Kama National Park, where the terrain is a combination of southern taiga and deciduous forests. The park's botanical garden features more than 400 species of exotic plants from North America, Asia and Europe

Ancient city of Bolgar The National Park of Bolgar is one of few historical-architectural complexes left by the Volga Tatars. It is located on the bank of the Volga 120 km away from Kazan. Bolgar is related with the such names as Pushkin, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Kul Gali and many other famous people. It is a sacred place for all Tatars, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims, and a place generally steeped in legend and history. The National Park of Bolgar is an object of historical and cultural significance. In 1998 the Bolgar Historical-Architectural Complex was included in the provisional list of UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Russian Federation. In National Park of Bolgar you can visit Museum of Bakery, museum of archaeology, monuments of Islamic architecture from the 13th-14th centuries.

Island-town Sviyazhsk The place where the Sviyaga River flows into the Volga forms the idea for Push¬kin's lively tale of the Island of Buyan. Sviyazhsk was built by Ivan theTerrible as a fortress for the siege of Kazan, and it went on to become the first Orthodox Christian city in our area, the center of the spread of Christianity. The island also became home to the Uspensky monastery and the Ioanno-Predtechensky nunnery. The architectural composition of today's Sviyazhsk includes perfectly preserved churches, such as the antique wooden Troitskaya Church (built in 1551), Nikols¬kaya Church, and Uspensky Cathedral. When Alexander Pushkin first saw Sviyazhsk, he was overjoyed. It seems the city was exactly what he imagined for an ideal fairytale setting: beautiful island on a tall mountain, located exactly in the middle of a great river. This island with its surprising history cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Take the fast boat at pier 8 at 08:30.

Elabuga This charming 1000-year-old trade center on the shore of the river Kama and surrounded by natural beauty is one of the oldest cities in Tatarstan. Throughout its history the city was the cradle of Russian trade, where diverse waves of remarkable people flowed together. Most of its buildings have been preserved in their original condition to this day. Examples include the memorial house museum of Ivan Shishkin and the homestead museum of N. Durova, a famous heroine of the Fatherland War of 1812. Tragic circumstances led the city to become the last refuge of the poet Maria Tsvetaeva. Not far from the Elabuga is the famous Elabuga mound “Chertovo gorodishe” - the remains of a fortified settlement from the Volga tribes of the first millennium BC. The surviving stone tower is a symbol of Elabuga. On the banks of the river Toima, five kilometers from Elabuga, archaeologists discovered the Ananinsky burial ground, which lends its name to an entire Iron Age culture.

Kysh-Babay Residence (Tatar Santa Claus) The residences of Kysh Babay and Kar Kyzy are located in the village of Yana Kyrlay, in a pine forest on the bank of the river Iya, 60 km from Kazan. The fairytale journey begins with the forest ”customs” where Shaitan leads you into the estate of Kysh Babay. The map of Shurale leads guests to path filled with adventures. Among the tales, mysteries, miracles, and fairytale characters you will meet Shurale (the Wood goblin), Shaitan (the Devil), Uburly Karchyk (the Witch), Azhdaha (the Dragon), Batyr (the Kinught), Altynchech (Goldilocks), Tahir and Zuhra (Romeo and Juliet).

Chistopol The historic town of Chistopol was founded in the 18th century. This town is truly a living museum, with streets and buildings that preserve the spirit of past days. A walk around Chistopol introduces you to the quiet, very special beauty of the Russian countryside. The Melnikov House, the grounds of Uspensky Monastery, St. Nicholas Cathedral - these places all enhance the feeling that the city was built with care and love. You can find very interesting Boris Pasternak museum here. A few kilometers from Chistopol you'll find the remains of Juketau, a city of the ancient Bolgar Kingdom which served as a trade center during pre-Mongol period.

Tetushi The pearl of Tetushi is historico-architectural natural park “Dolgaya polyana”. Tourists visited this place say that you feel peace and calm. Local people claim there is anomalous zone with positive energy. Even Khans of Ancient Bolgar used to come to this place for several days to recover peace of mind. There are a lot of old buildings, dated from 1700s. You can even be lucky to see real archaeological excavation! And of course you can enjoy beautiful and splendid nature of Tetushi. Fond of historical reconstructions? Then summer reconstruction of battlefield on Vshiha mountain is definitely worth visiting! You can not only watch, but also participate!

Laishevo At the end of May, there is a big ethnic festival called Karavon. For 9 years annually more than 10,000 people come to take part. And according to legend, this festival exists more than 300 years! Here you can dance in a round, have a look at the town of craftsman, take part in national amusements and feel cheerful and holiday atmosphere among wearing national costumes people. This festival is definitely worth seeing!

title: Kazan


text:
Kazanlak

Kazanlak (Bulgarian: Казанлък, also transliterated as Kazanluk) is a city of about 80,000 people in Northern Thrace, close to the Balkan mountain range and Shipka Pass.

Understand
Kazanlak lies in the centre of Rose Valley, a major agricultural area with rose fields, product of which is then extracted to produce rose oil.

By bus
It is best to first head to Stara Zagora and take a local bus from there, unless you are already visiting all tiny villages and towns in from of the impressive mountain range.

By train
There is a train line going through Kazanlak, but it might be irregular.

See

 * The views that can be seen from both the Memorial Church and the Monument on Stoletov Peak, are amazing, unforgettable and a pleasure to the eye.

Do

 * Watch the famous Bulgarian rose oil being produced. It is best to visit in May or June, as that's the oil rose harvesting season.

Stay safe
There is a large Roma community in the eastern part of the city, in which travellers may feel uncomfortable and non-locals may be unwelcome—it's best to avoid there altogether.

Go next

 * Valley of the Thracian Kings – The whole valley around Kazanlak is covered with tombs, some of which can be visited. Many excavations have been done around the site of former Seuthopolis, now the Kazanlak lake.
 * Shipka – A village to the northwest, which has an impressive Russian style cathedral built in memory of the Russian soldiers who fell in the Battle of Shipka Pass. Also, the Thracian tombs are more attractive and interesting, all are 6 лв.
 * Gabrovo – To the north, across the Balkan Mountains. It has historic sites, a humor museum and impressive shopping and dining opportunities.
 * Nature Park Bulgarka – On the north side of the Balkans across from Kazanlak, provides many out door activities opportunities for people who enjoy nature and hiking.

title: Kazanlak