Best Tourist Places to Visit in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, Asia

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, Asia

Semey is sited on the Asian continent towards the northeast of the country, Kazakhstan in the province, East Kazakhstan. Formerly Semey was known as Semipalatinsk. The city, Oskemen is the capital of East Kazakhstan province. Semey city is situated at a distance of 750 km from the capital city, Astana. The geographical coordinates puts the place at 50⁰26’0” N and 80⁰16’0” E. Semey city spans over an area of 210km².

Climate of Semey:

During summer season the average temperature is 29⁰C and in winter temperature drops to -20⁰C.

History of Semey:

Civilization began in Semey region in the year 1718. A fortress was constructed close to the Irtysh River by the Russians, close to a ransacked Buddhist monastery. The fort acquired the name Semipalatinsk because of the then present seven architectural structures of the monastery. In the year 1777, the fort was destroyed by a flood caused by the melting of the snow up the river Irtysh, causing the river to create a flood. A new fort was constructed in the year 1778 on higher grounds at a distance 18 km from the old location towards the origin of the Irtysh River. Trade took place via the river route between the thriving Russian Imperials and the Central Asian nomadic tribes. In the year 1853, the Turkestan-Siberia Rail link was established thus contributing to the booming economy of the region. From the period 1917 to 1920, at the time of the Russian Civil War, Semey then known as Semipalatinsk formed the capital for the state called Alash Autonomy. The testing of the Soviet Atomic bomb program took place in the year 1949, at a place towards the west of Semey. Various nuclear tests were conducted from the period 1949 to 1989.

Tourist Places in Semey:

Double-minaret Mosque:

This mosque is one of the best examples of cult Muslim architecture during 11^th century is one of the most visited mosques in the city.

Bridge over the Irtysh River:

This bridge was built in the year 2000 is one the major landmarks of the city and project was proposed by the Japanese company.

Semei Ormany:

Semei Ormany is a natural reserve forest region which is bounded by flora and fauna is located towards the western part of East Kazakhstan.

Other Places to visit near Semey:

Dostoevsky Museum
Abay Museum
History & Local Studies Museum
Anet Baba Kishikuly Mosque
Fine Arts Museum
Tartar Mosque

Means of Commutation to Semey:

Semey is well connected by intercity buses plying from various cities and towns. There are long distance buses from Semey to places within Kazakhstan such as Barnaul, Taldyqorghan, Pavlador, Omsk, Zaysan, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Karaganda and Astana.

Semey is well connected by railways and there are daily train services to places within Kazakhstan such as Astana, Almaty and Pavlodar. There are also cross-border trains to places within countries like Russia.

Semey is well connected by air and served by Semey Airport situated at the distance of 10 kms from heart of the city, caters to flights arriving and departing to and from places within Kazakhstan such as Almaty, Astana.

Accommodation Options at Semey:

Semey is one of the major cities in Kazakhstan visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year and accommodation facilities are available in the city. Hotels range from budget, standard and luxury offering some of the fantastic amenities and provide authentic Kazakhstan cuisines. Some of the prominent hotels in Semey are listed here below: