Kazakhstan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Tourism

Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Jibek Joly Train Tour Extended to Tajikistan

Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has announced the expansion of its popular Jibek Joly (Silk Road) tourist train route to include Tajikistan, adding a new stop to one of Central Asia’s flagship railway tourism initiatives. The updated route will now reach the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, extending the tour beyond Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for the first time. The inaugural journey on the extended route is scheduled to depart from Almaty on March 20, 2026, and return on March 25, passing through a series of historic Silk Road cities: Turkestan (Kazakhstan), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan). The tour package includes rail travel, guided sightseeing, entrance to cultural and historical sites, and organized transfers. Its launch coincides with Nauryz, the region’s traditional spring holiday, allowing travelers to experience vibrant local celebrations along the way. First introduced in November 2024, the Jibek Joly train originally ran between Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent, and has since become a highly visible symbol of the region’s growing tourism sector. The project reflects broader efforts to promote Central Asia as a unified tourist destination. Regional leaders have advocated for a shared visa-free regime for foreign visitors, similar to Europe’s Schengen Zone, to encourage cross-border travel and boost international tourism. Officials say that initiatives like Jibek Joly can help strengthen cultural ties, foster regional integration, and raise Central Asia’s profile on the global tourism map.

Tourism

The Potential and Problems of Tourism in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan boasts unique natural landscapes that could attract international visitors, and significantly enrich the country's economy. Each year, the government allocates increasing funds to support tourism. However, services and infrastructure in many tourist destinations still remain well below international standards. Undeniable Improvements According to Talgat Gazizov, Chairman of the Board of the national company Kazakh Tourism, more than 1,100 tours to Kazakhstan are currently available on 18 major online platforms across Europe and Asia – a threefold increase compared to 2023. This reflects growing interest among international tour operators. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, authorities are also weighing up the possibility of opening casinos in designated tourist zones, accessible exclusively to foreign citizens. In 2025, Kazakhstan invested nearly $2.5 billion in the development of its tourism sector, a 32% year-on-year increase. The number of tourists staying in accommodation facilities rose by 12%, surpassing 10 million. Kazakhstan also improved its position in the World Economic Forum’s global tourism index, climbing from 66th to 52nd place. The stated goal is to break into the top 50. Currently, 328 tourism investment projects are underway. Notable among them are the Oi-Karagai mountain resort, Hilton and Mandarin Oriental hotel complexes, the Zhibek Zholy entertainment complex, and the Keruen Inn roadside service chain. These projects are expected to create around 10,000 permanent jobs. A Comprehensive Development Plan for the Almaty Mountain Cluster includes expanding ski resorts and integrating them into a unified system. The celebrated Shymbulak ski base and Medeu high-altitude skating rink, both located near Almaty, are among the country’s most distinctive attractions. The plan envisions 30 new cable cars and 161 kilometers of ski slopes, aiming to boost annual tourist numbers from 1.8 million to 5 million. Authorities note that, globally, ski tourists spend seven times more than beach tourists. The Shchuchinsk-Borovskaya (Burabai) resort area is also a development priority. Infrastructure expansion around Lakes Katarkol, Maloye and Bolshoye Chebachye, and Zhukei is intended to ease pressure on Lakes Shchuchye and Borovoye. The number of inbound tourists to Burabai is projected to reach 94,000 by the end of 2029, with 32,500 people employed in the local tourism industry. In western Kazakhstan, development is planned along the Mangistau Peninsula, including Teply beach and Kendirli resorts on the Caspian Sea. Efforts are also underway to improve access to the striking rock formations of Bozhyr and Tamsha, which rival world-famous geological landmarks. Services and Infrastructure Lag Behind Despite progress, serious shortcomings persist, chief among them underdeveloped services. The lack of public toilets in tourist zones and along highways has been repeatedly highlighted. Government data shows that many resort areas in the Akmola, Karaganda, and Pavlodar regions, as well as in the Abai and Zhetysu regions, lack reliable water supply and central sewage systems. The use of well water remains a pressing concern. In the Abai region, some recreation centers are situated dangerously close to water sources. Lake Alakol, a popular summer destination, requires urgent shoreline reinforcement. Similar dredging work is also necessary in Caspian...

Podcast

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Now with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region. This week, the team is joined by the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, to discuss connectivity, critical minerals, and what's unique about the EU's engagement with Central Asia.

Expats

How Expats Experience Life in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has long sought to cultivate a positive image abroad, as reflected in its foreign direct investment. By mid-2025, the country had attracted $9.4 billion from Eurasian nations alone, securing the top position among Central Asian nations. On the tourism front, 7.5 million foreigners visited Kazakhstan in the first half of 2025, with growth also recorded in related service sectors. The country's visa-free regime with several nations likely contributed to the increase. Yet statistics reveal little about everyday life, particularly for foreigners who have made Kazakhstan their temporary or long-term home. To look beyond the numbers, The Times of Central Asia spoke with expatriates living across the country. Expectations vs. Reality Most interviewees admitted to having few expectations before their arrival, citing limited awareness of Kazakhstan in their home countries. One recounted a peculiar question posed by their family before departure: “People don’t really talk about Kazakhstan very often in the U.S., and when they do, they’re often very misinformed about what life is like here. For example, my family asked if I would have running water.” While few voiced concerns about basic amenities, several mentioned the difficulty of finding specific goods and services. “It can be frustrating sometimes trying to find specific items, and line culture (waiting one’s turn) is non-existent. It’s definitely every man for himself,” said one expat. The same individual noted that although bureaucratic procedures can be cumbersome, essential services, such as obtaining a personal identification number, remain accessible, a sentiment echoed by others. Those living in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s southern capital, praised the public transportation system while acknowledging worsening traffic: “Traffic jams have become awful over the past two years, but that’s a problem in all major cities,” said a French expat. “It’s a shame there are no more city bike rentals. I really hope they’ll come back in the spring.” [caption id="attachment_42814" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Downtown Almaty; image: TCA[/caption] Adapting to Society and Intentions to Stay Most respondents said they had few difficulties adjusting to life in Kazakhstan, crediting their ability to communicate in Russian as a key factor in social integration and building local friendships. Three interviewees said they spent more time with fellow expatriates, with two attributing this to the nature of their stay, while one felt his professional and daily interactions with locals were sufficient. One interviewee said their smooth adaptation was helped by the modernity of Kazakhstan’s major cities: “I’ve spent some time out in the Karaganda region, in small villages. I think adapting there would be a much bigger adjustment,” they told TCA. All interviewees described locals as exceptionally hospitable, even to strangers: “You always hear about hospitality being important here and in other Central Asian countries. Whenever we needed help, friends or even people we didn’t know were incredibly helpful.” In discussing professional environments, most agreed that work culture is far more relaxed than in the West. However, one noted a downside: “In Kazakhstan, there’s a very strict hierarchy. Of course, it varies by firm, but in more traditional companies,...

TCA Interviews

TCA Interview: Musician Merey Otan on the Reinvention of Kazakh Musical Instruments

Until recently, Kazakh national instruments were largely associated with school concerts, folk ensembles, and official ceremonies. The dombra (a long-necked, two-stringed plucked instrument), kobyz (a bowed string instrument with two horsehair strings), and sybyzgy (a wooden end-blown flute traditionally made from apricot wood) seemed to occupy a separate cultural space: symbolically important, yet detached from everyday life. “Before, the dombra was for me only part of school concerts,” recalls Sanzhar Uvashev, 24, a sales specialist from Almaty. “It was brought out on holidays, people dressed in national costumes, played a couple of obligatory songs, and that was it. I never thought this instrument could sound different, or be part of contemporary music.” Today, that distance is steadily narrowing. The sound of the dombra is increasingly featured in contemporary original music, electronic compositions, film scores, and social media. Young musicians are not abandoning tradition, but they are no longer treating it as something frozen in time. To understand how this rethinking is taking place, and why tradition need not remain 'untouched', The Times of Central Asia spoke with Merey Otan, a researcher and musician who works with Kazakh instruments in a modern cultural context. ТCA: Merey, how did your study of national instruments begin? Was it a deliberate decision? MO: It started during my master’s studies, when I was writing a thesis on contemporary music in Kazakhstan. As part of that research, I interviewed the ethno-rock band Aldaspan and kobyz player Almat Saizhan. I was especially interested in how the dombra and kobyz were being transformed and modernized and eventually devoted a whole chapter of my work to this topic. So yes, it was a conscious choice. TCA: People often argue that tradition should be preserved in its original form. What’s your take on that? MO: I’ve heard that view often, especially from traditional musicians. Some believe, for example, that an electronic dombra desecrates the instrument. Given the sacred meaning of the dombra and kobyz, I understand that stance. In sociology, these people are sometimes called purists. But I disagree. The world is changing, and some traditions from the nomadic era have lost their relevance or even become barriers. I believe traditions can, and sometimes should, evolve. If modifying an instrument helps engage younger generations, why not? TCA: Where do you personally draw the line between respect for heritage and experimentation? MO: I see nothing wrong with experimentation. On the contrary, bands like Steppe Sons show deep respect for heritage. Their members have formal musical education and a strong grounding in tradition. However, it's important to consider the concept of cultural appropriation from postcolonial theory. This occurs when privileged groups use the culture of marginalized communities for personal gain. In music, this might look like a Western artist profiting from Kazakh instruments without acknowledging Kazakh musicians. That, in my view, is disrespectful. TCA: Is there still criticism about the “incorrect” use of traditional instruments? MO: Yes, certainly. When Aldaspan introduced the electronic dombra, public figures like Bekbolat Tleukhan were highly critical....

Healthcare

Kazakhstan to Expand Use of AI for Early Detection of Strokes and Cancer

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health is moving to expand the use of AI to improve early diagnosis of strokes, cancer, and other high-impact diseases. Officials say the rollout aims to reduce mortality, increase diagnostic accuracy, and ease the workload of healthcare professionals. According to the ministry, a list of priority AI initiatives has been compiled to help detect socially significant diseases at early stages and support clinical decision-making. The targeted areas include stroke, lung cancer, breast cancer, and dental diagnostics through the analysis of medical imagery using machine learning algorithms. Several platforms are already operational and are being integrated more widely into the national healthcare system. Among the current AI platforms in use: Cerebra – deployed in nine category II and III stroke centers across five regions, capable of identifying stroke symptoms in under three minutes; WDsoft – used in 190 healthcare facilities in 10 regions to assist in the early detection of cancer and pneumonia; AIDENTIS – adopted by 65 dental clinics and three medical universities to analyze X-ray imagery; ALIMA – an AI-based medical assistant now active in over 700 clinics nationwide. The ALIMA platform processes patient complaints, medical records, and images to suggest potential diagnoses, recommend examinations, and propose treatment plans aligned with clinical protocols. These AI initiatives rely on computing resources provided by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, including eight graphics processors, and are supported through API-based integrations. Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health intends to introduce AI tools to evaluate pharmaceuticals and medical devices and to launch a project for early detection of chronic heart failure using the Smart ECG system. This technology enables remote interpretation of electrocardiograms in clinics that lack specialized functional diagnostics staff. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstani surgeons recently conducted the region's first joint replacement surgeries in Tashkent using the MAKO robotic system, another example of the country’s growing investment in med-tech innovation.