First President’s Park
First President’s Park is a breathtaking arboretum located in the southwest of Almaty. This idyllic park is not only a favorite spot for citizens to take a leisurely stroll or relax, but it's also a popular venue for a range of events, such as weddings and photo shoots. The park's inception dates back to 2001 when the project officially began. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first president of the country, planted the park's first oak tree that same year. However, it wasn't until 2010 that the park opened its doors to the public.
The entrance to the park is a sight to behold, boasting several dozen snow-white columns that create a semicircular arcade topped with the state flag. The entrance is an open gallery adorned with flower beds, trees, lanterns, and a fountain that adds to the park's allure. At night, the entrance group, gallery, and musical fountain light up creating a truly magical atmosphere.
Some of the park’s must-see places
With its well-maintained paths, thoughtful landscape design, and a variety of flower arrangements, fountains, and sculptures, the First President’s Park is nothing short of a visual delight.
One of the park's most captivating features is the Musical Fountain, located at the entrance. This stunning fountain is the largest in the city, featuring five pools at different levels. Its central part boasts a «crown» framed by images of the zodiac signs in medallions. The tallest fountain jet can reach an impressive 30 meters (98 ft). Starting at 6:00 pm and lasting until 10:00 pm, visitors can witness a mesmerizing water, light, and music show where the water jets «dance» to classical music..png)
Another impressive sight within the park is the Kazakhstan sculptural composition, installed in 2011 to celebrate the country's 20th anniversary of Independence. The composition comprises a granite monument in the form of a golden eagle and a sculpture of Nursultan Nazarbayev. The eagle's wings feature symbols of the two main cities in the country, Almaty (including the Ile Alatau Mountains and Kok-Tobe TV Tower) and Astana (including the Baiterek Monument, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, and the Khan Shatyr).
Zhety Qazyna ethno-garden is a captivating themed recreation area that showcases the traditional Kazakh way of life. Its centerpiece is a round structure of columns that supports the shanyrak, a structural lattice element that holds up the yurt's dome. Nearby, visitors can see a stunning sculpture of a Tazy breed dog native to Kazakhstan, the same breed that ancient nomads used for horse hunting. The ethno-garden also features sculptures of horses and a golden eagle that sits atop a pole, while the benches are decorated in a beautiful national style.
The observation deck is just a short walk away from the ethno-garden, perched atop an artificial hill at a height of around 30 meters. From here, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Ile Alatau Mountains.
The Japanese garden is another enchanting attraction within the park, perfect for photoshoots, strolls, and relaxation amidst the tranquil ambiance of pagodas, bridges, and a serene pond. The garden also features exquisite Japanese heron figurines, stone lanterns, and ornamental benches.
The topiary garden is a delight for visitors of all ages, featuring creatively landscaped green sculptures in the form of elephants, a pianist, and other whimsical shapes. The trees here are trimmed into cubes, spirals, and other geometric forms, adding to the garden's unique charm.
The Alley of Lovers features a stone pedestal adorned with a heart and handprints, as well as a wall where newlyweds symbolize their strong love by hanging padlocks.
During special occasions and festivals, the park showcases various thematic installations, such as sculptures of apples during the AlmaFest apple festival, and a sleigh with gifts for New Year's holidays. With many stunning corners to explore, the First President’s Park is a must-see attraction in Almaty.
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How to get there?
Location: Almaty, between Sain St., Dulati St., and Sadykov St.
You can get there by buses No. 15, 28, 32, 34, 38, 63, 67, 77, 86, 98, 101, 103, 121, 135, and 211.
Working hours:
Mon-Sun from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
Other tourist attractions near the park:
- Jailau Golf Resort
- Ile-Alatau National Park
- Kazakhfilm Studio
- Star Glade Observation Deck
- Kok-Jailau Plateau
- Alma-Arasan Gorge
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