Atakent Center for Business Cooperation
The Atakent Center for Business Cooperation was established in the 1990s, originating from the VDNKh (Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy) of the Kazakh SSR. Today, Atakent is a complex featuring exhibition pavilions, recreational areas with bicycle paths, children's and sports grounds, cafes, restaurants, business centers, shopping facilities, a hotel, a gas station, and an office campus. It even includes a water park.
Atakent's principal mission is to host international-scale exhibitions and fairs. Beyond this, the center's activities extend to environmental improvement, construction, investment, entertainment industry development, conference hosting, and more.
The complex has multiple entrances, with the main one distinguished by high-arched gates and a spacious entrance area. Strategically located adjacent to the Botanical Garden, Atakent features numerous green spaces, flower beds, fountains, and benches. Among its scenic attractions is an artificial ornate pond with terraced bridges, serving as a popular spot for visitors to capture photographs.
An intriguing highlight in Atakent's history is the colossal Squirrel art object, standing at 12 meters (39 ft) in height. Created by British public artist Alex Rinsler, similar straw animal sculptures can be found in various countries worldwide. The sculpture was originally intended to be burned several months after installation. However, its location near public spaces led to the decision not to burn it but dismantle and relocate it. Its current whereabouts remain unknown. The Squirrel stood as a distinctive landmark at Atakent from 2018 to 2020, eventually replaced by a fountain.
How to get there?
Address: Almaty, 42 Timiryazev St.
You can get to the Atakent by buses #18, 19, 22, 30, 32, 45, 56, 70, 79, 98, 113, 123, 124, 205, or trolleybuses #1, 9, and 11.
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sat-Sun – closed
Other tourist attractions near the Atakent Center:
- The Main Botanical Garden of Kazakhstan
- Yuzhny Park
- Nur Mubarak Mosque
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
- Baiken Mosque
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