Industrial center turned resort
Konayev, formerly known as Kapshagay, is a city located in the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, on the banks of the Kapshagay Reservoir, which is a popular destination for beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts. The city is named after Dinmukhamed Kunayev, a prominent political figure in Kazakhstan during the Soviet era.
The city was founded in 1970 under the name Novoiliysk, replacing the flooded settlement of Iliysk, which had to be evacuated due to the construction of the Kapshagay Reservoir. Initially, the city was planned to be an important industrial center. Several factories were established, including a famous porcelain factory whose products were renowned outside of the Soviet Union. Additionally, there were factories producing reinforced concrete structures, high-precision instruments, a renowned bakery, an oil factory, and a fish processing complex, among others. However, most of these factories ceased operation after the collapse of the USSR.
Today, the abandoned factories have been repurposed for activities such as rope jumping and paintball. The Robot plant, for example, still has a 180-meter high chimney that is used for rope jumping by local youth. Despite the decline of its industrial sector, Konayev remains a popular tourist destination due to its stunning natural scenery and a range of outdoor activities available at the Kapshagay Reservoir. The reservoir offers various water-based activities, including fishing, yachting, diving, and various water sports throughout the year.
The gambling capital of Kazakhstan
In 2006, when several casinos and gambling houses were relocated from Almaty to Konayev, the city became the main gambling zone of Kazakhstan. In fact, we have a separate article dedicated to the 7 famous Konayev casinos.
The city boasts excellent infrastructure, including hotel complexes and recreation centers on the coast of the Kapshagay Reservoir, which provide visitors with all the amenities of modern civilization while allowing them to enjoy a warm reservoir beach vacation.
Despite its relatively young age, Konayev has a few noteworthy sights beyond the beaches and casinos. The city has a water park with numerous water attractions and slides, as well as the Tulpar Retro Salon, a museum showcasing a collection of vintage Soviet cars such as Chaika, Pobeda, and Volga.
In addition, the city has a monument dedicated to Dinmukhamed Kunayev, the Great Patriotic War Glory Park, and Central Park. Visitors can also explore the surrounding area, including the City of Nomads, the petroglyphs of Tamgaly-Tas, or the Altyn-Emel National Park.
How to get there?
Almaty and Konayev are approximately 75 km (47 mi) apart and are connected by a well-maintained A-3 highway. There are also daily electric trains that depart from Almaty 1 railway station to Konayev, as well as buses available from Sayran bus station.
Local offers:
View all offers_420x650_4ab.jpg "Charyn Canyon One-Day Group Tour")
If you need a refreshing day away from the city, join us on this tour of Charyn Canyon. Marvel at its stunning beauty and immerse yourself in the local culture by exploring the nearby rural area and market.
![Групповая экскурсия "Знакомство с Нур-Султаном. Маршрут I" (2,5-3 часа) [ожидает перевода]](/assets/cache_image/products/0_gallery/tours/astana-excursions/astana1_420x650_c98.jpeg "Групповая экскурсия \"Знакомство с Нур-Султаном. Маршрут I\" (2,5-3 часа) [ожидает перевода]")
Идеальный вариант для первого знакомства со столицей Казахстана! Город во всех проявлениях менее чем за 3 часа: от административного сердца страны до экономического, молодежного и событийного хаба
On request
Don’t miss the chance to ski at Shymbulak Ski Resort, famous for its mild climate, large quantity of sunny days, steady snow and the magnificent surrounding views!
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Day of skiing on the best and the largest resort in Kazakhstan, which matches the European standards of quality. This tour is suitable for beginners and experienced skiers and freeriders. The tour allows to ride both on the groomed slopes and off-piste with possibility of organizing backcountry nearby the resort.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "Butakov Waterfalls Trekking Tour")
On request
Butakov Waterfalls can be found in the Ile Alatau Mountains near Almaty. The breathtaking scenery, pristine air, and refreshing coolness have been drawing tourists to this location for quite some time.
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Trekking to the Gorelnik Gorge is a highly favored adventure for tourists and trekking enthusiasts alike. The gorge boasts stunning scenery with abundant trees, mushrooms, and berries. If lucky, one might even encounter the wild inhabitants of the area, including mountain deer.
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Kim-Asar Gorge is very popular among Almaty townspeople. The main reason is that it can be easily reached by bus or by car, and a slight steep ascent allows even unprepared tourists to pass it. In addition, the route is available for walking almost any time of year.
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Standing at 3680 meters, the Big Almaty Peak might give the false impression of being a formidable and challenging climb. However, ascending to the summit doesn't necessitate specialized mountaineering skills.
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Situated at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level, this frigid and desolate lake boasts a depth of 30 meters. The lake is encompassed by stunning mountain peaks, creating an exceptionally beautiful panorama from all directions.