Botanical Garden, Almaty

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Botanical Garden, Almaty

The Main Botanical Garden of Kazakhstan is not merely a scenic spot for leisurely walks; it is an entire institution dedicated to botany and phytIntroduction. Established in 1932, the garden spans an area of 108 hectares (currently 103.6 hectares). It houses a variety of rare plant species, some of which are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Today, the institute manages four botanical gardens across the country: Almaty, Astana, Zhezkazgan, and Ili. The Main Garden is recognized as a specially protected natural area of national significance. The primary activities of the institute include educational, scientific, environmental, and cultural-educational programs.

The Almaty Botanical Garden is divided into several sections, including exhibition, public, scientific, and administrative zones. Visitors have access to only the first two areas.

In the exhibition zone, a diverse array of plants from Kazakhstan, East Asia, Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia, Crimea, the Far East, and North America unfolds before the eyes of visitors. The “Japanese Garden” showcases the flora of the Land of the Rising Sun.

A dedicated collection zone features specialized areas such as the “Siringarium,” “Coniferetum,” and “Alpinarium,” as well as collections of tropical/subtropical, climbing, medicinal, ornamental, and wild fruit plants.

The public zone includes entrance pavilions, a dry fountain, picturesque ponds, open spaces for events and celebrations, and a café. The garden boasts three entrances: Southern, Northern, and Western, each designed with a unique theme. The Northern pavilion is entirely glass, topped with a metal rectangular roof, while the Western entrance is constructed from brick, adorned with unusual gates. The Southern entrance features tall, narrow metal columns that support a lattice roof, creating a sense of weightlessness.

In the Main Botanical Garden, diverse plant species coexist in different sections: bamboo and lilacs, coniferous forests and rose gardens, palms and oak groves, as well as chestnut and birch thickets. Additionally, bananas, cacti, hundreds of varieties of peonies, asters, tulips, and various tropical plants, including aquatic species, flourish here. Notably, the “Alpinarium” section of the garden offers visitors a unique opportunity to view 13 of the rarest wild tulip species. Kazakhstan is officially recognized as the birthplace of tulips, from where they have spread across the globe.

Strolling through the maple grove or alongside a pond adorned with white swans and water lilies, one finds it hard to leave this cozy haven filled with the fragrance of flowers and lush greenery. In autumn, sprightly squirrels can be spotted gathering nuts and berries, while winter invites leisurely strolls along a snow-dusted pine avenue. The Japanese Garden embodies the spirit of this remarkable country—colorful yet restrained. It reflects a certain casual precision, characteristic of traditional Japanese gardens. What may seem haphazardly arranged is, in fact, harmoniously integrated and precisely positioned. These gardens invite contemplation, featuring stone lanterns, pagoda-style pavilions, and gracefully arched bridges.

Every path in the garden leads to a magical spot, such as the Weymouth pines, which astonishingly sprouted from a single seed. Known as the “Three Sisters,” they consist of three trunks originating from that one seed.

The garden also hosts a Sakian burial mound dating back to the early Iron Age.

The garden has become a popular venue for various photo sessions and events. The Main Botanical Garden never ceases to amaze throughout the seasons—no matter how many times you visit, there is always something new to discover. Undoubtedly, the Almaty Botanical Garden is a place you long to return to, regardless of the weather or your mood.

Address: Kazakhstan, Almaty, between Timiryazev, Zharokov, and Al-Farabi Avenue
Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM