Ethnopark
Not so “ethno”
Despite its name, the park has little to do with folk traditions. When it first opened in 2001, visitors could see miniature versions of local landmarks such as Lake Balkhash, the Ulytau Mountains, and the Samarkand Reservoir. Over time, these models disappeared. Today the park has neither ethnographic exhibits nor amusement rides.
What remains is shady alleys, a quiet atmosphere, and a certain charm in its slightly unkempt look. It’s a place to stroll, rest, and escape the bustle of the city.
Central Mosque (Anet Baba Mosque)
The park’s main landmark is the Central Mosque, opened in 2011 and still the largest in Karaganda. It’s designed in a traditional style and decorated with Kazakh ornaments, stained glass, and intricate carvings. It can accommodate up to 4,000 worshippers. The interior is especially remarkable: from ceramics to woodwork, every detail was crafted by local artisans.
Aqualand Water Park
The second landmark is Aqualand, Karaganda’s only open-air water park. It features three unheated pools (60-170 cm deep), several water slides, gazebos, a sauna, a shooting range, and even a pub. Aqualand is open only in summer, Monday through Saturday, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Suyunshi Stele
At the park’s western edge, near the intersection of Bukhar-Jyrau Avenue and Universitetskaya Street, stands the Suyunshi Stele, built in 2003. “Suyunshi” means “good news.” At the top of the stele, is a figure of a horseman rushing to deliver joyful tidings. At its base, the signs of the Tengrian Zodiac form a circle, with the “Center of the Earth” symbol marked on a granite pedestal. The monument quickly became a favorite for wedding photo shoots. A “musical pedestal” even plays Mendelssohn’s Wedding March when pressed.
How to get there?
The park is easy to reach from several directions:
- Mosque stop (closest to the Suyunshi Stele): buses №33, 45, 73; minibuses №01, 012
- Sozvezdie stop (convenient for Aqualand): buses №66, 73; minibuses №01, 012
- KarU University stop: buses №40, 118, 145, 146; minibuses №02, 07, 13
Good news indeed: the fences around the park have been recently removed, so you can enter from any side.
Other tourist attractions near the Ethnopark:
Gallery
Recommended tours:
All offers
On request
This journey will take you to the gems of Central Kazakhstan, including Karkaraly National Park, the Bronze Age Kent settlement, Scythian burial mounds, and the remnants of the ancient Buddhist temple known as Kent Palace.
On request
Embark on an exploration of the Soviet legacy on Kazakh soil! This tour takes you to the infamous labor camps of the Stalin era, Karlag and Alzhir, the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and various other landmarks from the Soviet era.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "CIP Lounge at Karaganda Airport")
Escape the busy airport environment. Book the CIP lounge access at the Karaganda Airport online. This service is available to passengers traveling on domestic and international flights.