Urban Alley of Light and tranquility -
Sights of Medeu district -
Halyk Square Alley is one of the most cozy and modern urban spaces in the southern capital of Almaty. It is located in the area of the Nurly Tau business center, next to the Almaty Museum and Almaty Theatre, creating a convenient and beautiful walking corridor among the architectural lines of the new business center. There is always fresh air, soft sun and a sense of orderly urban rhythm that allows you to relax from the noise of the big avenues.
The alley has become a place where art, urban style and the light aura of Almaty's modern neighborhoods meet. During the day, it offers a beautiful mountain panorama of the mountains of Almaty and the towering peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau. This space is loved by pedestrians, photographers and families with children – everyone finds their own route here, a comfortable bench or a point for leisurely contemplation.
Located in close proximity to the business and cultural core of the city, the alley combines landscaping, recreation areas, decorative lighting and elements of urban infrastructure aimed at the comfort of citizens and guests of the metropolis.
History
The creation of Halyk Square has become part of the overall reconstruction program of the southern foothill part of Almaty, aimed at creating modern walking areas. The alley appeared as a logical continuation of the idea of a "short-distance city", when comfortable pedestrian connections are created between important cultural objects.
The alley grew together with the Nurly Tau district, which gradually turned into one of the symbols of the new Almaty: business centers, galleries, theaters, museum spaces - all this formed a special cultural background. So there was a need for a cozy green line connecting key facilities with each other.
Over time, the alley has become not just a passage, but an independent place of attraction, where residents relax, make appointments, ride scooters and observe urban life.
Architecture and atmosphere
Halyk Square Alley is decorated in a modern urban style: smooth geometric paths, wide walking areas, neat rows of trees and low ornamental shrubs. The lamps along the alley create soft lighting in the evening, and during the day the space is filled with calm daylight reflected from the glass facades of the surrounding buildings.
The proximity of the museum and the theater allows you to feel the special cultural atmosphere of the area – there are always events, photo shoots, walks of students, rehearsals of street performers. All this makes the alley lively, but without fuss, the rhythm remains measured and comfortable.
In spring, the alley is filled with the scent of young leaves, in summer it is especially pleasant to hide in the shade, in autumn the leaves turn it into a golden corridor, and in winter silence hangs over the path, which makes the area surprisingly calm.
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How to get there and visit -
Halyk Square Alley is located in the southern part of Almaty city next to the Almaty Museum and Almaty Theatre, in the area of the Nurly Tau business complex, Medeu district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°13'37"N 76°56'43"E
You can get here on foot from Al-Farabi Avenue or Nazarbayev Avenue, or take any transport going to the Nurly Tau business center, the Almaty Museum or the Almaty Theater.
This is an outdoor walking area, accessible around the clock, and it is great for a short walk during the working day, as well as for an evening break after the busy city bustle.
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Legend and legend
Locals like to say that even before the reconstruction, this place was considered a "corridor of luck." It was believed that if you walk from the future museum to the future theater in a straight line, mentally making a wish, it will surely come true. Later, an alley appeared here, and the tradition did not disappear – on the contrary, it only became more popular.
They say that if you walk along Halyk Square in the early morning, when the city is just waking up, and touch one of the lamps, luck will accompany you all day. Some claim that the alley absorbs the energy of art around it and enhances it, so creative people often come here for inspiration before important projects.
Today, Halyk Square Alley is more than just a well-maintained pedestrian zone. It is a symbol of a new approach to the urban environment in Almaty: open, thoughtful, focused on the quality of life. It demonstrates how even a small space can become a significant cultural and social resource if it is created with respect for humans and nature. For tourists, the alley is an ideal place for a short stop between visits to the theater, museum or a walk to the mountains. For locals, it is an opportunity to exhale in the rhythm of the city.
Interesting sights nearby:
• Monument of Independence of Kazakhstan;
• Republic Square;
• Akimat of Almaty city (goverment house);
• Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
• Almaty Palace of Schoolchildren (former House of Pioneers);
• Sunkar International Ski Jumping Complex;
• Esentai Mall;
• New Terrencourt on the Yessentai River (health trail);
• Khamit Ergaliev Embankment;
• Yuzhny Park;
• Al-Farabi State University;
• Yesentai River;
• The main Botanical Garden in Almaty.
