Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
During the depressed 1990s many of
Karaganda's ethnic-German residents
(descendants of Stalin-era deportees) emi-
grated to Germany. But Karaganda has
bounced back and today the central areas
of the city are a pleasant surprise, with a
lively buzz and plenty of parks and broad
tree-lined streets, all prettily illuminated
after dark. Bukhar Zhyrau dangyly, the
main street, heads north through the cen-
tre from the train and bus stations.
1
¨Sights
o
Karaganda¨
Ecological¨Museum¨
mUSEUm
(
%
41 33 44; http://ecomuseum.kz; Bukhar Zhy-
rau dangyly 47; admission per person without tour
120T, with tour 150-250T;
h
9am-7pm mon-Fri, by
arrangement Sat & Sun)
The Karaganda Eco-
logical Museum, run by a dedicated, cam-
paigning environmental NGO, has to be the
most imaginative museum in the country.
Everything can be touched, and this in-
cludes large rocket parts that have fallen on
the steppe after Baykonur space launches,
and debris collected from the Semipalat-
insk Polygon. Other display topics include
the saiga antelope and chemical safety in
Kazakhstan. The guided tours, available
in English, are well worth it and are best
requested in advance. The entrance is be-
neath an 'Ortalykkazzherkoynauy' sign at
the side of the Bank RBK building.
Karaganda¨Oblast¨Museum¨
mUSEUm
(
%
56 48 62; Yerubaev 38; admission 150T;
h
9am-6pm)
The recently modernised
regional museum has ample displays
on local history, including a section on
KarLag. Guided tours (150T), available in
English, add significantly to the interest.
Central¨Park¨
PARK
The leafy Central Park stretches over 2km
from north to south, with a large lake at its
heart. Its main entrance is off the west side
of mid-Bukhar Zhyrau.
Karaganda
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Karaganda
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Top Sights
1
Karaganda Ecological Museum ..........A3
44
Karaganda
Ecological
Museum
1
666
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Internet
Cafe
Traffik
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Nomadic
Travel Kazakhstan
(25km);
Spassk (36km)
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Sights
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Central Park...........................................A3
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Karaganda Oblast Museum.................B2
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Central Park
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Sleeping
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Hotel Ar-Nuvo........................................A2
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Hotel Edem............................................B4
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Hotel Gratsia..........................................B4
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Eating
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Assorti ....................................................B4
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Pivovaroff...............................................A2
Rational ......................................... (see 11)
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Entertainment
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Elvis.........................................................B3
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Svintsovy Dirizhabl ............................... A1
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Train
Station
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Transport
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Bus Station ............................................B5
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