AKTOBE
One of the five largest cities in Kazakhstan, Aktobe is the capital of the Aktobe region in the west of the country. Today, the city is an industrial hub. The cultures and beliefs of various ethnic groups intertwine here, reflecting its appearance. Aktobe’s landmarks are proof of this.
Recommended attractions:
The Regional Museum of History and Local Lore is the city’s oldest cultural institution, founded in 1926. It houses over 100,000 exhibits, including archaeology, ethnography, and rare documents. Of particular interest are the exhibits on the Golden Horde, nomadic culture, and the development of the city. The museum features modern multimedia halls, making it an interesting visit for children as well.
The Nur Gasyr Mosque, built in 2008, is the region’s main mosque, with architecture that blends traditional Islamic style with modern elements. An Islamic research center and a library with a madrassa are also located on the grounds.
Pushkin Park is one of the oldest in the city, founded between 1887 and 1890. It was once the city’s main park, but over time it lost popularity. Soviet-era amusement rides are still in place, almost like an open-air museum.
Astana Park, where miniature versions of the capital’s landmarks are displayed outdoors. Among them, an original 3D engraving with a panorama of Astana stands out – an unusual photo point for visitors to the city.
The Zhamanshin meteorite crater is an impact crater in the Aktobe region. According to the most widely accepted hypothesis, it was formed by a meteorite impact. Zhamanshin is a unique site where fossilized mollusks and corals can be found, and is also the first known tektite deposit on Earth.
The Irgiz-Turgay State Nature Reserve is one of the largest and almost the only strictly protected steppe area created to preserve and restore natural complexes and protect saiga habitats. During seasonal migrations and molting, at least 2-3 million aquatic and semi-aquatic birds fly through the area. The reserve’s flora is represented by 430 species.
The Aktolagay Mountains are the former ocean floor. A distinctive feature of the landscape here is the extremely sparse chalk mountain cover. In some places, nature has created entire labyrinths of sheer walls, columns, niches, ledges, terraces, and landslide amphitheaters of isolated outliers.
We also recommend visiting: the Aktobe Regional Planetarium, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the First President Park, the Kargalinskoye Reservoir, the Orkash Tract, and the Akkum Sand Valley.