Almaty, Kazakhstan: Architectural Marvels and Natural Wonders

Today on Codnomad, we land in a city of wide boulevards, outdoor cafes, art galleries, neoclassical architecture and a big green park.

Whoa, whoa, hold on a sec.

I know what you're thinking.

Is this another episode about London or Paris?

What if I told you that this city is actually in the Asian continent and has some of the most exotic eats you've never heard of?

A Soviet era bathhouse, subway stations that feel like art galleries and surrounding nature that will take your breath away.

Today we're off to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Almaty means apple mountain, Kazakh.

It is believed that apples first grew in Almaty in the foothills of the Tian Shan.

Wild apples continue to grow to this day.

Almaty has extreme winter weather.

Summer Almaty has extreme winter and summer months.

In winter it can get seriously cold, while in summer the heat can be downright brutal.

Senior writer Qin Liang landed in Almaty during a snowstorm in late March.

Following morning, when the sun when the snow had stopped, the street echoed the rhythmic thump of snowflakes falling from the trees.

It was so clear, the air was so clear that Tianshan, the snow capped mountain range, it looks like a giant for fortress wall, formed a stunning backdrop.

It was freezing, but you just had to stay out a bit longer and take it all in.

Shin describes his first impression of Almaty.

People say Almaty was boring, but Shin couldn't disagree more.

There's so much to see and to do in Almady.

Head to Panfilof Park.

It's not just a regular park.

There's a lot more going on there.

You'll see a Soviet era tank and statues of 28 Panafilov guardsmen who fought against the Germans.

Next to the war memorial is the Museum of Folk Music Instruments.

It has a collection of instruments from Kazakhstan and around the world.

Keep walking and you'll come to the Ascension Cathedral.

This Russian Orthodox cathedral is an iconic symbol of Almaty.

Built entirely of wood and without the use of nails, it has a fairy tale like charm, especially when it's covered with snow.

For an even more romantic experience, you can go for a horse carriage ride in front of the cathedral toward the end of the of Panfilof park.

Walk another 10 minutes and you'll reach Central park of Albany.

The park has a European feel.

It has a children's canopy walk pond surrounded by willows and fountains and footbridges.

You can play with red squirrels.

These squirrels are native to Eurasia and have a distinct reddish crown and limbs.

They're very curious and they'll come right up to you.

Bring peanuts.

After the park, walk to the Green Bazaar.

Here you can eat your way through the flavors of Central Asia.

Samsa pastries filled with minced meat is a must try.

You'll also find Ugur Lagman hand pulled noodles topped with beef or lamb at the market.

Want to shake things up a little bit for your taste buds?

Try kumis or fermented horse milk.

The vendors are happy to hand you a small paper cup to try.

The milk has a sourness like yogurt and a sharp, tart flavor while the milk still swirls in your mouth and the vendor hands you another cup, this time camel milk milder than kumis and a little saltier.

Just when you think the tasting is finally over, another paper plate comes your way, and this time it's horse meat and horse sausage.

The vendors love watching you eat them, sometimes cracking up as you cringe at the taste, as so many Westerners do.

If you come in the winter, you can head to the Shimbilock ski resort for snow or snowboarding, and at night head to the Abay Kazakhsti Academic Opera and Ballet Theater for a show.

The theater is built in the Stalinist Empire style.

Chin recommends spending one full day on a tour outside of Almaty.

Most tours go to Moon Canyon, Black Canyon, Colse Lake and Sharon Canyon.

The tours are pretty affordable between 13,000 and 25,000 tenge, which is about $25 to $48.

The tour usually starts as early as 6am and ends around 8 in the evening.

Kolsay Lake is a stunning alpine lake with turquoise clear water.

Kolsay Lake is a stunning alpine lake with turquoise clear water.

Famously known as the Pearl of the Northern Tian Shan, Sharon Canyon is nicknamed as the Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan.

Walking in the Canyon valley, you'll see all kinds of rock formations carved by erosion into bizarre shapes.

Many of them look like animals.

Before you leave Almaty, make sure you visit the Arasan Baths, the largest bath house in Central Asia.

There are several pools, saunas and rest areas.

Sauna options include the Finnish, Russian and Turkish styles.

You can buy birch leaves to massage your back in the sauna room.

Although most patrons wear shorts or swimsuits, mainly still walk around naked, so if nudity isn't your thing, you might want to bring your trunks.

At the end of March, the Nowraz celebration or the Persian New Year will be in full swing and there will be concerts, yurts set up for exhibitions and markets.

People in traditional dress come together to cook Samalak a sweet paste made from wheat that symbolizes prosperity and good health.

Getting around Almaty is easy.

Yandex is like the Uber of Kazakhstan.

It has cheap, reliable and an English booking option to get you around Almaty.

But Chin recommends trying the subway at least once.

The subways are painted in cultural arts and decorated with chandeliers.

Makes the ride even more fun.

It's a very grand subway, he reports.

One thing Chin finds interesting and challenging is the language barrier.

English is almost non existent, so be sure to have a translation app like Google App at the ready.

Despite that, the Kazakhs are super friendly people.

For example, when Chin ran out of phone credit, a stranger topped it off for him without asking for anything in return.

Moments like this makes you realize that kindness is the real language of the Kazakhs.

Almaty awaits.

It's your move.