Karaganda

Travel to Karaganda, Kazakhstan

Karaganda

The provincial city of Karaganda (Қарағанды) sits in central Kazakhstan, on lands once traversed by the legendary Silk Road. Officially established in 1934, the city’s coal mining history, however, stretches back further to 1857, when the Ivanovka coal mine began operations. Situated in an area that was once covered by dense forests millions of years ago, these ancient woodlands eventually transformed into substantial coal reserves. During the Soviet era, Karaganda was celebrated as the mining capital of Kazakhstan. However, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many of its coal industry enterprises ceased operations, leaving only a fraction of the coal production once mined under Soviet rule.

Karaganda is also known as the «space harbor» of Kazakhstan, as it’s a common landing location for astronauts returning from space missions. Notably, Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, spent her initial days post-flight in Karaganda

The city derives its name from the karagana shrub, also known as the «yellow acacia,» which grows in abundance in the surrounding areas. As of 2022, Karaganda spans an area of 498 square kilometers, ranking as the fifth-largest city in Kazakhstan, with an official population of 497,767.

Karaganda’s climate is sharply continental, with summer temperatures reaching up to +45 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures plummeting to -40 degrees. The temperature fluctuations are extreme, and with almost no forests around the city, winds sweep freely across the open land, blowing year-round and shaping the city’s weather and way of life.

From a visual perspective, Karaganda’s appearance is reminiscent of many post-Soviet cities. As a relatively young city, it may not initially captivate tourists with its attractions. However, those who visit often come to explore the significant sites tied to the tragic legacy of Stalin’s repressions.

Karaganda’s history is deeply intertwined with the ALZHIR (Akmola Camp for the Wives of Traitors of the Motherland) and Karlag labor camps. Karlag, where countless Soviet and international figures in science and the arts were imprisoned, became a cultural hub in Karaganda. The unique cultural heritage they left behind was forged in conditions of extreme hardship and tragedy. In the late 1930s, the roots of Karaganda’s visual arts scene were established, laying the foundation for a new chapter in Kazakh art. Many who faced repression and deportation ultimately settled in the city and left an indelible mark on its culture.

It’s a curious fact that Karaganda has become a central hub for Catholicism and Protestantism in Kazakhstan—a legacy set in motion by prisoners of the KarLag labor camp who were convicted for their faith, and later carried forward by numerous deportees. During Soviet times, ethnic Germans outnumbered Kazakhs in Karaganda, a city that arose from an empty landscape without grand Orthodox cathedrals or mosques, creating an unusual equilibrium among religions from the very beginning. To this day, Karaganda hosts more small chapels, Protestant churches, and prayer houses than Orthodox churches and mosques combined, embodying a unique spirit of religious equality in Kazakhstan.

Karaganda Attractions

Despite its youth, Karaganda, not even a century old, offers an impressive array of attractions that surprise even seasoned travelers. The city administration takes great care to make the city interesting for visitors and actively encourages tourism development. The main attractions include:

  • Monument of Miner’s Glory: This iconic monument was erected to commemorate the extraction of two million tons of coal. Karaganda’s residents hold their ancestors’ mining heritage in high regard, and the monument is cherished by the community.

  • Karaganda Regional Mosque (Anet-Baba Mosque): Constructed in 2011, it is the largest mosque in Kazakhstan, with a capacity for 4,000 worshippers. Non-Muslim visitors can admire the mosque’s grand structure from the outside, as only worshippers are permitted within the prayer halls.

  • Karkaraly National Park: Home to several tourist trails of varying lengths, the park features a “wishing tree” on the shore of one of its lakes. According to legend, tying a bright ribbon to its branches will make a wish come true. The park also houses a Nature Museum and is located 220 kilometers from Karaganda.

  • Michael the Archangel Cathedral: Known as the «miners’ church,» this cathedral lies on the city’s outskirts, surrounded by graves. Despite its location, it remains a popular and frequently visited site.

  • «Where-Where? In Karaganda!» Monument: Installed in the city center along Nurken Abdirov Avenue, this monument captures the famous phrase which humorously symbolizes the city.

  • St. Joseph’s Cathedral: Karaganda’s first Catholic church, the cathedral reflects the diversity of those deported here, including many Germans, Balts, and Poles. Authorized for construction only in 1977, the cathedral was recently renovated and now boasts a tall tower. It is located on Komintern Street.

  • Independence Stele: Built in 2011 to mark Kazakhstan’s 20th year of independence, the 47-meter-tall stele is clad in white marble. It stands proudly at 40 Republic Avenue.

Karaganda boasts over a dozen museums, each with unique stories to tell. Among the most frequently visited are:

  • Karaganda Regional Historical and Local Lore Museum: The largest museum in the region, featuring 16 exhibition halls and a collection of more than 134,000 artifacts. Its permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the history of the region, spanning from ancient times to the present day. Located at 38 Yerubaev Street, this museum is open daily, welcoming visitors without interruption.

  • Museum of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repression in Dolinka (Karlag): Situated 45 kilometers from Karaganda, this museum commemorates Karlag, one of the largest labor camps in the Soviet Union, once covering hundreds of square kilometers. The camp’s administrative center was in Dolinka, and today, its museum exhibits the camp’s creation, the conditions endured by prisoners, and the methods of repression used. It also highlights the lives of Kazakh people during the pre-camp period, a time of forced collectivization and famine that claimed millions.

  • Karaganda Regional Museum of Fine Arts: Showcasing works by Kazakh artists from various periods, this museum presents a diverse collection of paintings, graphics, and decorative arts from Kazakhstan, the CIS, and beyond. Located at 76 Bukhar-Zhyrau Avenue, it offers an immersive view into the cultural artistry that transcends local and international borders.

Attractions Around Karaganda

  • Karkaraly National Park: A perfect destination for nature lovers, Karkaraly National Park offers a landscape rich with mountains, lakes, and forests, alongside notable archaeological sites. Located approximately 220 kilometers southeast of Karaganda, it is accessible via a three to four-hour bus or shuttle ride to the nearby town of Karkaraly, which sits at the base of the Karkaraly Mountains.

  • Kyzylray Mountain-Forest Oasis: Situated 300 kilometers south of Karaganda, this area is reached via a four-and-a-half-hour journey. The Kyzylray Mountains were once active volcanoes, and today the area is renowned for the Begazy-Dandybai megalithic mausoleums and Bronze Age rock carvings, attracting those intrigued by both natural beauty and ancient history.

  • Temirtau: Known for its metallurgical and chemical plants, Temirtau mainly appeals to fans of industrial tourism. The city lies just 30 kilometers from Karaganda, and frequent buses from Karaganda’s central station make the journey, which takes less than an hour.

  • Lake Balkhash: This natural wonder, often called the «Jewel of Kazakhstan,» is the country’s largest lake and uniquely contains both freshwater and saline water in one basin. Separated by a natural isthmus, the lake’s eastern half is salty while the western side remains fresh—a rare phenomenon globally. Balkhash attracts visitors with both its stunning scenery and diverse recreational offerings. Nature enthusiasts can explore flora and fauna, including endangered species, while those seeking relaxation can enjoy sandy shores and warm, clear waters.

  • Betpak-Dala (Hunger Steppe): Spanning an astonishing 75,000 square kilometers, Betpak-Dala is a vast clay desert and one of the world’s largest of its kind. The name Betpak-Dala has various interpretations: «treacherous plain» in Turkic, «ill-fated plain» in Persian, and «shameless» in Kazakh, while Russians refer to it as the «Hunger Steppe.» Despite the presence of some natural water sources, the area remains extremely arid, averaging only five rainy days per year. Few plants and animals can survive this harsh climate, and the desert is uninhabited by humans.

  • Begazy Necropolis: One of Kazakhstan’s most significant historical and archaeological sites, this Bronze Age memorial complex dates back to the 9th-8th centuries BCE. The site predominantly contains tombs of tribal leaders and religious figures. The necropolis features numerous burial sites from different periods, all with eastern-facing entrances. These square mausoleums were constructed from massive stone slabs weighing up to three tons, with some reaching heights of 4.5 meters.