A Guide to Must-Visit Attractions in Taldykorgan
Taldykorgan is nestled at the foot of the Dzungarian Alatau mountains and in recent years it has undergone a transformation. New neighborhoods, parks, embankments, and modern cultural and sports facilities continue to appear, making the city more comfortable and appealing for visitors. This guide brings together a selection of places to help you decide where to go and what to see while visiting Taldykorgan.
Museums
To explore the history of the city and the wider Jetysu region, visit the Museum of Local History (245 Abay Street). Its collection includes archaeological discoveries such as bronze cauldrons, clay vessels, and everyday objects from the Stone, Bronze, Iron, and Medieval Ages. The exhibits trace how life in this area evolved over thousands of years, from ancient tribes to more recent historical eras.
Not far away is the Ilyas Jansugurov Museum (59 N. Nazarbayev Avenue), dedicated to the life and literary legacy of the renowned poet. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the world of the Kazakh intelligentsia at the beginning of the 20th century.
The museum building itself is also worth attention. Built in 1907, it is a single-story wooden house adorned with carved window frames and decorative cornices. This is an example of Russian merchant architecture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It dates back to the time when Taldykorgan was still a small settlement known as Gavrilovka.
Just 300 meters from the Jansugurov Museum stands the Fine Arts Gallery (27a Kabanbai Batyr Street). The gallery showcases works by local artists and sculptors alongside pieces by prominent Kazakhstani masters such as Abylkhan Kasteyev.
Parks and Promenades
Close to all three of the museums mentioned above is Taldykorgan’s Central Park, located at the intersection of Abay Street and N. Nazarbayev Avenue. It’s one of the most pleasant places to unwind in the city center. The park is home to the Eternal Flame and the Glory Monument – an important memorial site honoring the memory of World War II heroes. Alongside its historical landmarks, the park offers classic amusements: a Ferris wheel and children’s rides.
Jastar Park is a newer green space in the southwestern part of the city. Surrounded by modern residential neighborhoods, it has quickly become a key public gathering place. At the main entrance stands a monument to Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan Sulu, legendary symbols of love. In summer, a musical fountain draws crowds for evening light and music shows. The park also serves as a venue for major city festivals, concerts, and celebrations.
One of Jastar Park’s most striking features is its 92-meter flagpole, among the tallest in the country. Within the park grounds you’ll also find the Central Swimming Pool (the region’s first Olympic-standard facility) and the Jastar Sports Palace, where competitions and training sessions take place.
Another highlight is the Karatal River embankment, stretching 1,414 meters (1546 yd) and considered one of the best places in Taldykorgan for an outdoor stroll. It includes several zones: quiet seating areas, children’s playgrounds, a skatepark and roller rink, and shaded sections with canopies for sun protection. It’s enjoyable at any time of day, but especially atmospheric in the evening.
Taldykorgan also features a pedestrian street in the city center – Birzhan Sal Street. Renovated in 2025, it now boasts upgraded lighting, gazebos, and small architectural features that make it an inviting place for a walk.
Cultural and Sports Venues
The Ilyas Jansugurov Palace of Culture is one of Taldykorgan’s main cultural venues. It regularly hosts concerts, theatrical performances, creative evenings, and major city events. The palace is also home to the Suyunbai Regional Philharmonic and a veterans’ choir.
Built in 1962, the structure is designed in a neoclassical style and resembles an ancient temple. Its monumental façade features columns and a pediment. A recent exterior renovation has further enhanced its grandeur.
Stretching out in front of the Palace of Culture is the city’s main square, also known as the Square of Seven Fountains. Its central feature, the Fountain of Seven Rivers, symbolizes the seven rivers that gave the Jetysu region its name (In Kazakh, jety means seven and su means water). In warmer months, the square becomes a lively gathering place for walks, meetings, and public events.
The new building of the Taldykorgan Kazakh Drama Theater is located in the modern part of the city (24 Koktem Microdistrict). It serves as a key center of the region’s theatrical life, staging performances in Kazakh and hosting cultural events of national significance.
Near Jastar Park, a compact sports cluster has taken shape. It includes the Jastar Sports Palace, the Schoolchildren’s Palace, a small stadium, and several outdoor sports grounds. The cluster is situated at the intersection of Kadyrali Jalaiyri Avenue and Kunayev Street. This area has become a hub for children, teenagers, and anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle.
In the older part of the city stands the Jetysu Central Stadium (at the intersection of Kabanbay Batyr and T. Rustembekov Streets). Built in 1982, it seats 5,500 spectators. Besides sporting events, the stadium also hosts concerts and large cultural gatherings.
Religious Landmarks
The city’s main mosque is the Iman Central Mosque (204 N. Aldabergenov Street). Opened in 2014, it has become an important spiritual center for Taldykorgan’s Muslim community. With its distinctive silhouette, the mosque blends harmoniously into the urban landscape and stands out as one of the district’s notable architectural landmarks.
The Church of the Holy Archangel Gabriel (211B Pushkin Street) is a striking snow-white building designed in the style of traditional stone churches of ancient Russia. Its elegant form rises above the surrounding area, making it one of the city’s most recognizable Orthodox landmarks.
Taldykorgan is also home to the Roman Catholic Parish of the Holy Virgin Mary (147 Birzhan Sal Street). It’s located among private homes near the bus station.
Monuments and City Symbols
The Jetysu Monument is one of Taldykorgan’s most recognizable landmarks and an unofficial symbol of the city. It stands at a roundabout where five streets converge near Jastar Park. The monument represents the seven rivers that gave the region its name and reflects the area’s natural beauty and historical heritage.
In the very heart of the city stands the impressive Ush Ata monument. This sculptural composition portrays three prominent historical figures: Eskeldy Bi, Balpyk Bi, and Kabylis Jyrau who lived at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries and played an important role in the war with the Dzungars. The monument highlights the connection between the modern city and the heroic past of the Kazakh steppe.
Beyond the city itself, the wider Jetysu region offers many remarkable historical and natural attractions. It is one of Kazakhstan’s most fascinating areas for travelers interested in culture, history, and landscapes. If you’d like to explore even more scenic places and heritage sites, see our article “A Guide to Must-Visit Attractions in the Jetysu Region.” It will help you plan your journey beyond Taldykorgan.
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