Dr. Stefan Christmann

July 24, 2025July 30, 2025

World War II

Memorial for Aliya Moldagulova and Manshuk Mametova, Алматы

Continuous learning about history is a necessity. Even concerning a devastating phase like World War II, collective memory is already blurring. In the Western world people start to think, the United States of America have won the war, in other parts of the world Russia is seen as the victor. But we should not forget that it was the entire Soviet Union that paid the highest death toll to slay fascism. The people of Central Asia had a big stake in this; 600,000 Kazakh people died in World War II – a significant share of the population. That’s the reason why they remember their soldiers like the 28 Panfilov guardsmen, but there are more stories to share.

July 24, 2025July 29, 2025

Zhibek Zholy

Wandering the stretches of the Silk Road, I am constantly reminded of how these ancient trade routes once threaded continents together. The Silk Road (or Zhibek Zholy) wasn’t just a single path – it was a vast web spanning from China to the Mediterranean, linking Asia with Europe, and facilitating the flow of goods, culture, and ideas for centuries. Among its most intriguing stretches runs the passage through Kazakhstan, a country whose landscapes are as storied as the history that passed across them.

July 24, 2025July 29, 2025

Charyn canyon

It is one of Kazakhstan’s most spectacular natural wonders, often compared to the Grand Canyon but with a character all its own. Located about 200 kilometers east of Алматы, it carves through the steppe for nearly 154 kilometers, with depths reaching up to 300 meters. The canyon’s most iconic segment is the Valley of Castles, so named because the spectacular rock formations evoke the towers and walls of ancient fortresses. Walking through this section, you’ll be surrounded by red and orange cliffs that shift in hue throughout the day, turning especially vibrant at sunrise and sunset.

July 23, 2025July 29, 2025

Kolsai

The two Kolsai lakes near Саты offer a truly spectacular retreat for nature lovers and adventurers. Known as Kolsai-1 and Kolsai-2, these alpine jewels are encircled by pine forests, striking peaks, and lush slopes dotted with wildflowers. Kolsai-1, the lowest and most accessible, sits at around 1,800 meters above sea level and is an ideal spot for picnics, easy walking, and canoeing. The tranquility of the lake, especially in the early morning when mist hovers over crystal-clear waters, makes it a perfect escape from the buzz of daily life.

July 23, 2025July 30, 2025

Буханка

Located within the rugged Tien Shan mountains, Kaindy lake is one of Kazakhstan’s most surreal natural wonders. Just a short drive from the small mountain village of Саты, the lake instantly captivates with its ghostly, submerged spruce trunks and impossibly clear, blue-green waters. At over 2,000 meters above sea level, the air is crisp and tinged with pine, and the scenery feels untouched – a living postcard that hardly seems real.

July 22, 2025July 30, 2025

Black canyon

The Қара каньон near Актогай is one of Kazakhstan’s lesser-known but truly awe-inspiring natural wonders. Stretching approximately three kilometers wide and plunging to depths of up to 300 meters, the canyon dazzles with its dramatic cliffs, layered rock faces, and vibrant colors that shift throughout the day. Standing on the edge, you are greeted by sweeping vistas and a remarkable sense of isolation, far from the crowds, making it perfect for travelers craving unspoiled wilderness and jaw-dropping photo opportunities.

July 22, 2025July 30, 2025

From Kazakhstan with love

Are you the modern kind of traveller just uploading photos to social media and sending them via messenger services to your beloved ones at home? Or are you a bit nostalgic and still sending postcards around the globe? I’m the latter kind and sending postcards is often quite a challenge these days as it becomes more and more unusual. At Kazakhstan, people will ask you directly why you intend to do such a stupid thing – tradition is the only accepted answer. At Kazakhstan, sending postcards is nowadays very uncommon and relatively costly (2200 Tenge per card!). But it is perfectly doable.

July 21, 2025July 29, 2025

Altyn-Emel

Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan is a remarkable destination for travelers seeking unique natural phenomena and diverse landscapes. Spanning over half a million hectares, the park preserves a fascinating mixture of desert, steppe, canyon, and mountain environments. One of its most extraordinary features is the singing dunes – a towering mass of quartz sand approximately 1.5 kilometers long and up to 120 meters high. These dunes produce an eerie, low humming sound when the dry sand grains rub together as the wind moves them, a rare phenomenon found only in a few places worldwide. The sound can carry for kilometers, creating a surreal atmosphere for visitors.

July 20, 2025July 30, 2025

City of Apples

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Tian Shan mountains, Алматы (Almaty, formerly Alma-Ata) is a vibrant city rich in history and culture. Its origins date back to the Bronze Age, with early settlements established by farmers and cattle-breeders thousands of years ago. Over the centuries, Алматы evolved through epochs of Saka, Wusun, and Mongol influences, serving as a cultural and trading hub along the Silk Road. In the 19th century, it was officially developed into a city after Russia founded the fort of Verniy. Later, Алматы played a central role as the capital of Soviet Kazakhstan and then of independent Kazakhstan, before the title passed to Астана.

July 20, 2025July 30, 2025

Tenge

Kazakhstan’s national currency is the Tenge, known by the symbol ₸ and the code KZT. Introduced in the early 1990s after independence, the Tenge offers a vibrant glimpse into Kazakh identity. Banknotes and coins display intricate patterns inspired by the country’s nomadic heritage and remarkable landscapes, as well as portraits of influential Kazakh figures. The currency came once in denominations ranging from small coins (tiyn) to large notes, making it suitable for both everyday purchases and more significant transactions. The tiyn isn‘t in use any more – today, you‘ll mostly use banknotes and 100 or 200 Tenge coins.