As global temperatures continue to break records, Central Asia has emerged as one of the fastest-warming regions in the world, according to recent reports from the World Meteorological Organization. In response to life-threatening heatwaves, residents are turning to increasingly inventive, and sometimes unconventional, ways to stay cool. With traditional methods…
Qymyz Bar, a new spot dedicated to kumys (or kymyz) — the traditional Central Asian drink made from fermented mare’s milk — opened in Almaty on Aug. 1. The bar offers 20 different varieties of kumys from 11 regions across Kazakhstan, each with a distinct level of fermentation, ranging from…
Kazakhstan served as a filming location for the South Korean travel show «Hit and Miss Tour 4.» Its cast has visited the country’s largest city and surrounding areas. Filming took place from July 24 to 27. The episodes are scheduled to air on Channel S, with a later global release…
Lake Tavolzhan (Tobylzhan), a salt lake in Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region, Uspensky district, turns a soft shade of pink each summer — a natural phenomenon increasingly drawing travelers and photographers. The lake is divided into two sections, Small Tavolzhan and Big Tavolzhan, and becomes especially vibrant in the warmer months. The…
The Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan has dismissed the head of Kattakurgan city’s Department of Employment and Poverty Reduction after he was caught off guard — hugging a female colleague on his lap during a Zoom meeting. The video quickly went viral online. The ministry responded swiftly,…
Korean culture, especially its distinctive cuisine, is gaining global popularity. But in Kazakhstan, what’s commonly labeled as «Korean food» often bears little resemblance to traditional South Korean fare. That’s because the cuisine has adapted over generations to local tastes and conditions. Kursiv LifeStyle took a closer look at the unique…
Although many Kazakhstanis want the option to watch movies in English and with subtitles, the cinema chain Kinopark says the actual demand is very low — only about 1,000 people. Some viewers in Kazakhstan are dissatisfied with the dubbing of foreign films and prefer to watch original versions. Reasons vary:…
Every morning, Almaty wakes to the dull hum of traffic jams. The air — thick, dusty and heavy — seems to warn: too many cars, too little city. In recent years, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis has increasingly resembled Los Angeles, a city where not having a car can feel like being…
Almaty Bar Shift, the international bar week, gathered bar professionals from around the world in Kazakhstan’s largest city to share their experiences of promoting businesses and destinations through the art of drinks. Cocktail week organizers and experts affiliated with global bar rankings, along with other global professionals, came to the…
Gulim Amirkhanova, a journalist and writer from Kazakhstan, appeared on the cover of a Guardian feature highlighting a global photo project about people and their sex toys. My toys The story profiles «My Toys,» a candid project by Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti that celebrates the devices and accessories people use…
A plot of land intended for the development of a ski resort is up for sale in Butakovka, an elite neighborhood near Almaty. The price? Just $2.8 million, which is relatively modest for Kazakhstan’s largest city, known for its upscale lifestyle. «The property is located just 3.5 kilometers from Dostyk…
Lake Kobeytuz is one of the most unusual places in Kazakhstan, where the water has a rich pink hue. Located in the Akmola region, about 160 kilometers east of Astana, this natural phenomenon attracts tourists from across the country and abroad with its otherworldly beauty. Why is the water pink?…
According to Kazakhstani blogger Yerzhan Ismagulov, almost everyone who moves from Kazakhstan to Los Angeles in the U.S. ends up living at The Orsini — downtown LA’s apartment resort. Over time, the residential complex has turned into a kind of «Kazakh corner» on the other side of the world. The…
A federation dedicated to togyzqumalaq, an ancient Kazakh strategy board game, has been officially established in South Korea on June 28, according to the press office of the Togyzqumalaq Federation of Kazakhstan. A game in Seoul The newly formed organization is led by Mrs. Sanghee Oh, president of the O’Brain…
A female team is filming a new TV series about the age-related crisis, friendship and love for life. Unlike «Sex and the City,» which explored the lives of Manhattan fashionistas, «Forever 29» is about young women from Almaty who try to meet society’s expectations — until one day, they decide…
In the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, a growing sense of comfort with solitude is reshaping how people travel and socialize. While consumers are stepping out of their homes and moving beyond so-called «hermit spending» patterns, they’re increasingly doing so alone. As The Economist notes, global online searches for «solo travel» have…
The Miss Qazaqstan 2025 pageant will not be open to transgender contestants, according to pageant director Aizhan Ruzayeva. In a recent social media video, Ruzayeva walked back remarks she made during a June 18 press conference. At the time, she stated that both transgender and plus-size women could participate in…
Kazakhstan has marked the 90th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the world’s most widespread peer-support program for alcohol addiction, founded in the U.S. in 1935. Anniversary in Almaty AA has been active in Kazakhstan since 2012, bringing together hundreds of people who have chosen a life free from alcohol. A…
Central Asia — and Kazakhstan in particular — is quickly gaining popularity among travelers from both the West and Asia. But like any destination, Kazakhstan has its quirks that might feel unusual or even a bit surprising to first-time visitors. Dim evening lighting Some travelers, especially those who visited Almaty…
Stray animals are a common sight in many cities and some people go out of their way to make their lives a little easier. In Shymkent, the owner of Mary’s Coffee installed a handmade shelter for a stray cat named Moti right next to her cozy local café, where she…
The most expensive item of clothing ever sold from a pop star’s wardrobe was stitched from a tea towel. This fun fact was revealed by Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls, who wore the now-iconic dress. The fashion item even earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.…
Birdwatchers around the world have a rare opportunity to observe the sociable lapwing (Vanellus gregarius), a species slightly larger than a pigeon that nests exclusively in Kazakhstan and parts of southern Russia. The bird has a light gray-brown plumage, with a distinctive black stripe along the top of its head…
The Almaty Zoo recently shared the inspiring story of Diana, a jaguar who overcame life-threatening injuries and has been living at the zoo for 18 years. As a cub, Diana was seriously injured in an attack by an adult jaguar — her own father. The incident, which occurred in 2007,…
Several media outlets in Georgia have reported that one of the most recognizable, although controversial, buildings in Tbilisi, the Music Theatre and Exhibition Hall designed by architect Massimiliano Fuksas, may be dismantled. The pipe-shaped structure is located in the capital’s Rhike Park. The Italian architect completed the hall in 2012…
