Abay Park

Spanning an impressive 52 hectares, Abay Park is the largest and one of the most well-maintained green spaces decorating Shymkent. This place serves as a major center of attraction for those seeking a peaceful holiday in nature or wanting to touch the history and culture that Kazakhstan is rich in.

Abay Park. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The park got its name in honor of the outstanding humanist, poet, and philosopher Abay Kunanbayev. Today, the territory is divided into several thematic spaces, including cultural-historical, memorial, and recreational zones. Visitors value this place for its impeccable cleanliness, abundance of greenery, and the harmonious combination of monuments of the past with modern leisure facilities.

Whether you are a tourist or a local resident, a visit to the park allows you to briefly slow down the pace of life and enjoy a walk along wide alleys that preserve the memory of important regional events and the legacy of the great Kazakh thinker.

To plan your visit to Abay Park, you can use the following contact information:

In Abay Park, every visitor will find something to their liking. For fans of an active lifestyle, there are modern jogging tracks, sports grounds, and a zone with outdoor gym equipment. Families with children will appreciate the play towns with fountains, while fans of intellectual leisure can stop by the local chess and checkers club.

The memorial zone gives the park a special atmosphere. Walking along the Alley of Glory, which begins at the monument to aviators, you can see an open-air exhibition of military equipment: tanks, cannons, and armored vehicles are installed here. In the center of the zone, the Eternal Flame burns at the Victory Monument, serving as a reminder of the courage of the country's defenders.

Those interested in culture should take time to explore the objects in the historical part of the park related to the life of Abay Kunanbayev. This is a great opportunity to combine a pleasant walk in the shade of trees with expanding your horizons and getting acquainted with the poet's philosophical heritage.

The attraction is conveniently located in the central part of the city, making it accessible to most tourists. You can reach the park by public transport: numerous bus routes connecting different districts of the city pass through nearby stops. You should look for stops near the Alley of Glory or Abay Avenue.

If you prefer comfort, the fastest way is by taxi. Popular mobile ride-hailing apps operate actively in the city, and a trip from the center of Shymkent will take only 10–15 minutes. For those traveling by private car, there are parking areas provided around the park territory.

The history of this place began in the post-war 1950s. Where trees rustle and people walk today, there used to be an ordinary wasteland. During the Soviet period, the park was named Komsomolsky and quickly became a favorite vacation spot for citizens.

A new chapter in the park's history opened in the 1990s when Kazakhstan gained independence. The site was renamed in honor of Abay Kunanbayev — the great thinker, poet, and founder of modern Kazakh literature. To mark this event, a majestic monument to the enlightener was installed at the main entrance.

The memorial zone, formed in the early 80s, is of particular significance. It includes the Victory Monument and the Alley of Glory, commemorating the memory of heroes. The modern concept of the territory's development, which involved international specialists, allowed for the harmonious division of the space into five functional zones, making it convenient for cultural, historical, and active leisure.

For a quick tour of the main alleys and the memorial zone, you will need about 1–2 hours. This is enough time to walk to the Abay monument, see the military equipment, and take a few memorable photos.

However, if you are planning a full-scale rest, visiting the sports grounds, or the chess and checkers club, it is worth setting aside half a day for your visit. The spacious 52-hectare territory invites a leisurely pastime, especially in the shaded corners of the park during the warmer months.

The park is open to visitors daily, making it easy to include in any travel itinerary. The operating schedule is the same on both weekdays and weekends:

Monday – Sunday: from 08:00 to 23:00.

Exploring the surroundings of Abay Park will allow you to dive deeper into the city's atmosphere and see many other iconic sites. Many interesting objects are within walking distance or a few minutes' drive away.