CENTRAL ASIA - MELTING POT OF GREAT CIVILISATIONS AND RELIGIONS

Where in Almaty do such beautiful tulip flowers grow? Read on to find out.

 

28 Panfilov Guardsman Park (commonly called Panfilov Park) in Almaty is a very famous attraction. It was established in the 1870's. It encompasses Ascension Cathedral, Glory Memorial with an eternal flame commemorating fallen soldiers from across the former Soviet republics, and an 18-hectare urban park.

The Eternal Flame for fallen soldiers.

Ascension Cathedral (also Zenkof Cathedral) is one of the most iconic landmarks in Almaty. Renowned for its colourful exterior and outstanding wooden construction, it was completed in 1908. It is regarded as one of the tallest wooden churches standing at 56m tall. Architect Andrei Zenkov created an engineering feat by building it out of wood, almost entirely without nails. It survived an earthquake and a period as a Soviet museum but is now under the Russian Orthodox Church. A major restoration was also made in 2020.

Kazakh musical instruments displayed Central State Museum

An AI created portrait of Ordu, eldest son of Jochi who was the eldest son of Genghis Khan and his wife Borte. This was taken from a museum display about the kingdoms of Genghis Khan's sons.

A museum mock up of the burial of a high-ranking official of the Steppes possibly during the Golden Horde era.
 

Lagman, (noodles) fried with beef. Such noodles which likely originated in Xinjiang are popular.

Fried horse meat served with raw onions and Coriander. I reckon it's healthy as there is hardly any fat. 

Almaty (capital of Kazakhstan) on a cloudy day from Kok Tobe, an amusement park like Ba Na Hills in Vietnam, albeit on a smaller scale. On that day, it was not well patronised because the cable car was down and the inclement weather.

The Beatles are assigned their own corner on Kok Tobe. Beatlemania likely affected youngsters in the 60's and 70's for our Russian driver, who is 62 years old, knew about the Beatles song "Back in the USSR" when I mentioned it during my conversation with Elaman.