Located south-east of Nur-Sultan, Karagandy is one of the largest cities in Kazakhstan. In the 1940s, it was settled by large numbers of Volga Germans who were deported here by Stalin. Many worked in the nearby mines extracting coal, with the industry still important to the local economy today.
Things to do in Karaganda
Delve into the past at the Karagandy Regional Museum of Local History and Ethnography, which opened in 1932 as a polytechnic institution. Learn about the establishment of Kazakhstan as a nation and the natural riches of the surrounding area, with the bones of a mammoth and the horn of a giant deer on display. In the foyer of the museum is a large map of the Karagandy region, which offers insight into its geographical features.
Don’t miss the Karagandy Regional Museum of Fine Arts, which boasts an impressive collection of paintings, graphic and decorative arts. Some of Kazakhstan’s most famous artists are represented in its gallery spaces, alongside Russian masters. Of particular note is the museum’s collection of bookplates, which was established by the art critic and collector C. Ivenskiy.
Sprawling west of Karagandy’s city centre is Central Park, which encompasses a sparkling lake that freezes over in the winter months. Children can let loose on the play equipment while couples can contribute to the “love locks” that adorn many of the park’s benches. On the edge of Central Park is the EcoMuseum, where you’ll find technological artefacts and natural exhibits that showcase the region’s ecology.
Getting around Karaganda
Sary-Arka Airport is around 30 minutes’ drive from Karagandy and has flights to destinations across Central Asia, Russia and the Middle East. Trains connect from Almaty and Nur-Sultan to the Karagandy Pass railway station and buses travel throughout the city.