Baluan Sholak Arena
Baluan Sholak Arena stands as one of the nation's biggest ice arenas, paying tribute to the renowned Kazakh composer and wrestler, Baluan Sholak. The arena features a spacious loggia and stained-glass windows on its primary facade. A distinguishing feature is the absence of conventional steps leading to the entrance, replaced instead by a broad ramp. The lower facades showcase frescoes depicting various athletes, including figure skaters, speed skaters, and hockey players. Adding a touch of whimsy, art installations resembling Lego figures adorn the area in front of the building.
Baluan Sholak Arena hosts a myriad of sports competitions such as hockey, figure skating, wrestling, basketball, and karate. The venue is not limited to sports alone, as it frequently opens its doors to musical performances. The complex also houses figure skating and hockey sections, a Pilates studio, a dance school, and a sports medicine and rehabilitation center. Within its premises, visitors can find a restaurant, a coffee shop, a fast-food area, a contemporary art gallery, a crafts center, and a public ice skating rink.
Baluan Sholak Arena hosted significant events such as the Closing Ceremony of the 7th Asian Games, the UEFA Futsal Cup final (2010-2011), the Volleyball World Grand Prix (2011), the Judo World Cup (2011), and the World Boxing Championship (2013), among others.
How to get there?
Address: Almaty, 44 Abay Ave.
Buses #25, 34, 57, 62, 65, 66, 92, 98, 118, 120, and 128, as well as trolleybuses #5, 19, and 25, provide accessible routes to reach the venue. For those preferring the subway, the arena is just a short walk away from Baikonur subway station.
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sat-Sun – closed
Other tourist attractions near Baluan Sholak Arena:
- Central Stadium
- Fantasy World Amusement Park
- Almaty Circus
- Dostyk Sports Complex
- Kazakh State Academic Theater named after M. Auezov
- A. Kasteyev Museum of Arts
- Monument to Academician K. Satpayev
- Khamit Yergaliev Embankment
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