Kapchagai, the Sin City of Kazakhstan

If you love gambling or water resorts, Kapchagai, the Sin City of Kazakhstan, is a place for you.  It's located only 80 km from the city of Almaty. There are more than 40 casinos in the city. A fun fact is that casinos are forbidden on the territory of Almaty. Casinos in Kapchagai have original architectural structures: a national style, an ancient Byzantine style, European charm, and Oriental motifs. Apart from the casinos, Kapchagai is one of the most popular resorts not only for Almaty citizens but all over the country. Kapchagai is located on the bank of an artificial same name reservoir, in the middle of Ili River.

How it all started

The Kapchagai reservoir was filled in 1970 and was created to regulate the flow of Ili River, as well as for irrigation and fishing. Nobody thought that one day, this place would be a popular resort. The beaches of Kapchagai are quite wide and sandy. This factor, coupled with long hot summers, served as an excellent prerequisite for the use of the reservoir as a beach holiday destination.

Kapchagai today

Today, on the shores of Kapchagai, there are about 150 resort complexes, which provide their services both to residents of the Almaty region and the whole Kazakhstan. Near the sandy beaches, there are also mountains and valleys. There is a category of tourists who come with the mountaineering equipment and combine a resort rest with hiking and trekking. Another popular activity in Kapchagai is fishing. In the Almaty region, there's a large number of sunny days, so fishing goes almost all year round. Some legends say that locals used to catch catfishes up to three meters long and weighing more than 100 kilograms.

How to choose the right place to stay

On the coast of Kapchagai, there is a large number of resort complexes and hotels. All of them are located close to each other, so tourists have a great opportunity to compare the offers, prices and make their choice. If you want to save on accommodation, you can easily find private houses. Locals offer their services right at the bus and railway station. And if you wonder, the most popular place to stay is Freedom Beach Resort Spa because of its location and all the conditions for a wonderful holiday and fun.

Come to Kapchagai, the Sin City of Kazakhstan, and choose your own way to relax: casino, fishing, resting on a beach or hiking/trekking.