Almaty has recently been named by CNN as Central Asia’s coolness capital and praised for its rapid pace of development in comparison to other former Soviet cities. Once a drab city adorned with cheaply built Soviet architecture, the region has evolved into a modern trendy hotspot for domestic tourism, in addition to the increased influx of Chinese, Korean and Indian visitors. 

There are many reasons for the new attention Kazakhstan is rapidly gathering, and for Almaty being declared Central Asia’s coolest city. Kazakhstan is the most liberal of its neighbours, and due to its history of being the Soviet Union’s melting hotpot, the country is very accepting of people of all the nationalities, backgrounds and religions of the world. Its significantly higher income compared to bordering nations allows for better infrastructure and the rapidly growing new generation is not only fueling the economy but generating a more hopeful and positive outlook for Kazakhstan.  

I personally believe the Kazakh mindset also contributes to the city’s development, the faith that as difficult life gets, it will inevitably improve. Kazakh youngsters are seeking to get an education abroad more and more frequently, yet they still have the incentive to return and improve their country. Old restaurants or Soviet-era warehouses are getting converted into beautiful coffee shops and exciting food courts offering everything from top-notch Mexican to Chinese cuisines. Some of my personal favourites include the Pinterest-worthy cafe Fika, the lively food court Platforma, and Auyl, a bold fusion of our ancient nomadic lifestyle and fine dining. 

Just below the ski resorts, Medeu is an Olympic standard ice skating rink where speed skating world records have been broken. If you can’t ski or skate, the region is home to phenomenal glaciers, lakes, sunflower valleys and Khan Tengri, one of the tallest mountains in the world. 

Shymbulak is the city’s largest ski resort that includes night skiing. Five-star hotels can be booked at the higher slopes for visitors to enjoy early skiing as well. 

If you’re worried about safety, put your mind at ease. Kazakhs are not big drinkers, so there is rarely any reported crime. The city is gradually becoming tourist-friendly as the population begins learning English, and taxis, costing a tenth of those in London, arrive within minutes of ordering. 

Almaty’s population has developed a great balance between traditional values and a free lifestyle. The area’s natural beauty is also gaining traction on social media with popular creators such as @Bydastann marketing the country. 

I myself am a resident of Almaty and can testify to its beauty, welcoming people and diverse attractions. For most of my life, I found my hometown tedious, and even after I moved abroad, every time I would come back, I felt like I was travelling back in time to my childhood. But recently, even I was marvelling at the immense progress my city made. Every year, I look forward to going back to my hometown because it’s a hometown I can be proud of. There is something for every tourist to explore here, whether you’re a fashionista or an outdoor buff, whether you prefer visiting art museums or going clubbing, whether you’re a child or an elder.