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Central State Museum: 44 Furmanov above Satpaev St., near Republic Square. Tel.: 64-55-77; 64-23-90. Open 9 AM to 6 PM, however, the visitors must enter by 5 PM Closed Tuesdays. This is primarily a history museum, with exhibits that detail the development of Kazakhstan and its people from the Bronze Age to the Russian Empire, the Communist Period, and afterward. The museum also has exhibits of Kazakh handicrafts, and three souvenir shops where rugs, jewelry and other objects are available for purchase. Ticket prices: 80 tenge (adults), 50 tenge (students and pensioners), 40 tenge (children).
Geological Museum: 85 Dostyk between Kurmangazy and Abai. Tel.: 63-52-83. Open Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00. Features a collection of stones indigenous to Kazakhstan including gems and semi-precious stones. Call in advance to arrange an excursion with an English speaking guide. Ticket price: 100 tenge.
Kasteev's Museum of Fine Arts: 30a Satpaev St., (opposite the Hyatt Regency). Tel 47-83-56. Web: http://www.art.nursat.kz Hours: 10:00-18:00, closed on Mondays and last day of each month. Features traditional, modern and contemporary art of Kazakhstan, other Central Asian and CIS countries, and has exhibits of 19th and 20th century French, Italian art. Has a souvenir shop which has Kazakh and Russian art products (jewelry, paintings, etc.) for sale. Ticket prices: 80 tenge (adults); 50 tenge (children and students). The Museum arranges excursions with an English-speaking guide. 1,440 tenge for seeing the entire museum; 720 tenge for individual exhibition halls.
Museum of Archeology: 44 Dostyk at Zhambyl. Tel.: 918585, 918632. Open Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00. This museum contains a collection of shards and ceramic artifacts from the 3rd century AD, as well as a life-size replica of the Golden Man, a 5th century BC Sacae warrior found in tombs near Almaty. Ticket prices: 50 tenge (adults), 25 tenge (kids). Call in advance to order an excursion (100 tenge; bring your translator).
Museum of Books: 94 Kabanbai Batyr St. at Kunaev. Tel.: 622213, 621104.Open Monday-Friday, 10:00 -17:00. This museum contains quite a collection of interesting pre-19th century books, including illuminated manuscripts, as well a collection of uniquely bound books reflecting the cultures which have resided in Kazakhstan.
National Museum of Musical Instruments: Panfilov Park, behind the memorial to Kazakh WWII veterans who defended Moscow. Tel.: 916917.Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:30. The museum was built in 1907 by the architect Pavel Zenkov who also designed the cathedral in the central area of the park. The museum exhibits traditional Kazakh, Central Asian and Russian instruments from ancient times to the present.
Zoological Museum: 28 Shevchenko, east of Kunaev, east side of the Academy of Science. Open Mon-Thu 10 AM - 5 PM. Guide Oxana Yaroslavovna can be contacted at 30-43-61 (evenings). Fauna of Kazakh land from dinosaurs and mammoths to present days.
Ancient City of Talgar: The modern city of Talgar is located about 35 km from Almaty. In its southern part, one can find the remains of the ancient city of Talgar, which was a flourishing city of merchants and craftsmen, on the Silk Road, before the Mongols swept through Central Asia. Go straight at the big road juncture (Razvilka) when exiting Almaty from the east (Talgarskaya trassa). Pass the central bus station in Talgar and take the first right turn immediately after the bridge. This will lead you to the ancient city. You will not understand much from what you see unless you have a local archeologist to tell you about the place. You may want to hire an archeologist at the Kazakhstan Institute of Archeology. Contact the Institute in advance at 91-86-63 or 91-85-85.
Open-air Museum (excavated Sacae burial mounds): This museum is an initiative of Beken Nurmukhanbetov, senior research fellow at the Kazakhstan Institute of Archeology. Beken and other enthusiasts excavated two Sacae burial mounds (4-5 cc. BC) that are available to visit all year round except winter. You will see all the layers of the mounds plus objects that were found during excavations. The site is located near the city of Issyk, about 70 km from Almaty. Take the left turn (Kuljinka) at the big road juncture (Razvilka) when exiting Almaty in the east. Drive for about 50-60 km until you see the sign Issyk on your right. Turn right and you will soon see plenty of burial mounds on either side of the road. Drive until you see the Open-air Museum's sign on your right. Beken is a very knowledgeable and interesting person. Please do not neglect to put some money in his jar for donations. He is raising funds to glass his Museum.
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