It is no coincidence that a magnificent city at the foothill of emerald-green ranges of Tien Shan is called an orchard city. In spring, when southern outskirts are full of blossoming apples, apricot and cherry orchards, the city looks like a fairy tale. Gorgeous verdant attire and magnificent mountain view make Almaty unrivaled. Orchards, groves, parks, boulevards and flower beds cover a total area of more than 8,000 hectares in the city.

Almaty name stems from “apple” word. It is a birthplace of famous species of apple Almaty aport. Some sources claim that merchant settlement Almaty was located in this particular area, where Silk Road route used to run. Chingis Khan horde destroyed it in the thirteenth century. Verny town emerged in 1854 not far from ruins of the ancient town. The Soviet government has renamed the town in Alma Ata and it was a capital city of Kazakhstan between 1929 and 1997.