Kapshagay Reservoir and the city of Konaev

Kapshagay Reservoir is a man-made lake on the Ili River north of Almaty, and Konaev — called Kapshagay until 2022 — is the city on its west bank and, since 2022, the capital of Almaty Region. It is about 80 km from Almaty on the A3: 50–60 minutes by car on a weekday, up to two hours at weekends. Almaty residents come here for the beach. The swimming season opens on 1 June, the water reaches 22–28 °C in July and August, and the city has free municipal beaches.

Kapshagay or Konaev?

The city was founded in 1970 and was known as Kapshagay (older spelling Kapchagay) until 2022. On 3 May 2022 the president signed a decree renaming it Konaev (Қонаев), as Kapital.kz reported that evening; the name honours Dinmukhamed Kunaev. The same day another decree moved the regional capital of Almaty Region from Taldykorgan to Konaev; Wikipedia says it took effect on 8 June 2022.

The reservoir itself kept its name. Sources still call it Kapshagay (Kapchagay) Reservoir, in Kazakh Қапшағай су қоймасы. So when locals say they are “going to Kapshagay”, they usually mean the water, while maps label the city Konaev. Population: 65,934 (2025, Wikipedia).

The reservoir in numbers

The reservoir was built to regulate the Ili’s flow; for the lower river, see Ile-Balkhash reserve.

Getting there from Almaty

Leave before 9 am or after 7 pm if you can, and add 30–40 minutes on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. The train only works for an overnight stay, since it goes out in the evening and returns at dawn.

One catch: there are no city buses from Konaev to the resort areas — Dyuna, Kapchagay-1 and Kapchagay-2 — so you will need a local taxi or a transfer for the last few kilometres.

Beaches: free and paid

In June 2026, 24.kz counted six municipal beaches and 140 private resorts in Konaev. Forbes Kazakhstan (2025) describes two zones: the Almaty-side shore with hotel complexes and private beaches, and the north shore, being developed as a public area. The busiest are the improved beaches No. 5, 6 and 7; over 1.5 million people visited the shoreline in June and July 2025.

Free for pedestrians, according to Digital Business (June 2026):

• Konaev city beach — in town by Central Park, sand and pebbles, gentle entry, cafés nearby;
• Nastoyashchiy — a big sandy beach on the north shore where you can drive in and pitch your own tent;
• Lazurny Bereg — on the north shore at the Bokter junction, with fixed sunshades.

Most places charge a flat fee to drive in, and private resorts charge per person or for gazebo rental. Prices change every season, so we do not quote them.

Swimming season and safety

For 2026 the season was due to open on 1 June. Before that, approved beaches were inspected and their bottoms cleaned; they have fences, warning signs and lifeguards. Swim only at designated spots.

Rules reported by 24.kz:

• no swimming after 8 pm;
• no swimming beyond the buoys — a loudspeaker repeats this every 15 minutes;
• never leave children unattended;
• 26 lifeguards and 12 watchtowers cover the beaches, and beach No. 5 has 21 CCTV cameras.

The warmest water is in July and August, 22–28 °C; in May, June and September it is 18–20 °C.

Beyond the beach

Wikipedia lists the Kapchagay aquapark in town and, nearby, the Kapchagay gambling zone, the largest in the country. Anglers come too: the reservoir holds 26 fish species, 16 of them commercial, with over 2,000 tonnes caught a year. The town is still growing — Forbes Kazakhstan (2025) counted about 140 tourist businesses and 11 large projects planned by 2028, from hotels to golf clubs, while beaches No. 6 and 7 were due for reconstruction after the 2025 season.

When to go

For swimming, June to August, with September still around 18–20 °C. Outside the beach season, Konaev is a handy fuel stop on the way north to Altyn-Emel National Park and the Singing Dune.

Nearby

• Tamgaly petroglyphs — a UNESCO site in the same region.
• Nature near Almaty: 15 places for a day out.
• Before you go.