The Unfathomable Second Subway in Central Asia - Almaty Metro

Construction of the Almaty Metro began in 1988, and it began operation in December 2011. It is the first subway in Kazakhstan and the second in Central Asia. The first subway in Central Asia is the Tashkent Metro in Uzbekistan. The Almaty Metro is L-shaped, with major stations including Raimbek Batyr, Zhibek Zholy, Almaly, Abai, Baikonyr, Auezov Drama Theatre, Alatau, Sairan, and Moscow, among others. Each station of the Almaty Metro has a unique design, combining ethnic characteristics and modern elements. For example, Abai Station is the deepest station, with a depth of 78 meters. The interior is exquisitely decorated, with walls and floors adorned with beige and brown marble. At the end of the platform, there is a beautiful bronze relief depicting the great poet Abai Kunanbayev. 🚉Main Stations: Raiymbek Batyr Station: Almaty Central Mosque, Green Market. Zhibek Zholy Station: Ascension Cathedral, Arbat Street, and Panfilov Park. Abai Station: Kok Tobe (cable car), Independence Monument, Central Museum. Almaly Station: 200 meters south, the Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre hosts opera performances. Baikonur Station: You can go to the Central Stadium to experience the charm of a live football match. 💰Ticket Prices: Locals generally use the contactless "Onay!" card for payment. However, there are also manual counters where you can buy tickets with cash. Regardless of the distance, the fare is a flat rate of 150 tenge. You will receive a yellow token, which you can insert into the turnstile to enter the station. No card is required to exit the station. 📝Tips: Since Almaty only has one line, it is very convenient to take the subway. Just pay attention to the direction of the train. Due to the depth of the subway, there is no mobile signal, but there are voice announcements. After the Kazakh announcement, there is an English announcement, so you generally won't miss your stop. Image 20 is a photo of the station map inside the subway station. Pay attention to the English station names to avoid missing your stop!