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Shymkent Arboretum: the pond among trees

Shymkent Arboretum: a 117-hectare park on a former landfill

The Asanbai Askarov arboretum covers 117 ha in south Shymkent, with a 3 ha lake and 330 plant species. Entry has cost 100 tenge since April 2025, and it opens from 5:00 to 01:00.

  • 117.04 ha
  • Entry 100 tenge
  • Daily 5:00–01:00
  • 330 plant species
See photos · 6 When to go Plan the trip

Photo: ElenaLitera · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Shymkent Arboretum: when to go, month by month

  1. January: possible
  2. February: possible
  3. March: good
  4. April: best time
  5. May: best time
  6. June: possible
  7. July: possible
  8. August: possible
  9. September: good
  10. October: best time
  11. November: good
  12. December: possible

Spring and autumn are most comfortable; July reaches about 34 °C, so walk in the morning or evening.

Shymkent Arboretum: why go

The arboretum's collection

City hall's preliminary figures from October 2026 list 330 species: 34 conifers, 159 trees and 137 shrubs.

A three-hectare lake

Water from two canals collects in the lake and then irrigates the park. You can walk along the shore.

Built on a former landfill

Founded in 1979 on the city dump as a trial of which trees could survive southern Kazakhstan's climate.

Not all of it is manicured

City hall rates 8,880 of 74,560 trees as poor, irrigation covers 85% of the site, and the fountain awaits repair.

Shymkent Arboretum, known locally as the Dendropark, is a 117-hectare park named after Asanbai Askarov, founded in 1979 on the site of a city landfill. You get long paths, a 3-hectare lake and very low entry costs. It is a working city park under repair and not a polished botanical attraction, so go for space and shade.

Practical details

Entry and hours date from an April 2025 change, and we found nothing newer.

ItemDetailSource
Address101 Baidibek Bi AvenueKazakhstan.travel
Hoursdaily, 5:00–01:00Kazinform, 03.04.2025
Ticket100 tengeKazinform, 03.04.2025
Free entrypensioners, people with disabilities, veterans, schoolchildrenKazinform, 03.04.2025

The early opening matters in summer. Modelled July highs in Shymkent reach about 34°C, so walk in the morning or after sunset.

What is there, in numbers

In October 2026 city hall gave Bes.media these inventory figures. They are the most recent available and they show the park’s condition plainly.

MeasureFigure
Area117.04 ha
Trees and shrubs74,560 and 4,615
Trees in poor condition8,880
Species330: 34 conifers, 159 trees, 137 shrubs
Lake3 ha
Irrigated85% of the site

About one tree in eight is rated poor by our arithmetic, so dry patches are normal. Lighting covers the whole site according to city hall, which supports an evening walk, and the fountain is awaiting repair. The tourism portal mentions aspens, larches, firs and magnolias, but no source describes labels or a marked collection route.

A short history

The park began as a trial: which trees from around the world could survive southern Kazakhstan’s climate. It took Askarov’s name in 2016 and holds regional protected-area status. Kazinform says it once reached 151 ha, and reports about 8,000 trees lost after a road project damaged the water pipes. In 2025 the director announced a library, a chess house and a small fountain under construction, and we could not confirm whether they are finished.

When to go and what else to see

Spring and autumn are the easy seasons. June to September is almost rainless, with 3–18 mm a month in the modelled data, while March and April bring about 84 mm each.

Climate by month · ERA5 grid point (517 m) · records 2011–2020

A computed reanalysis normal for these coordinates, not weather station records.

Monthly figures
MonthDay high, °CNight low, °CRain/snow, mm
Jan4.7-472
Feb6.3-3.271.6
Mar14.23.684.2
Apr20.39.187.8
May26.51452.6
Jun31.317.718.9
Jul34.219.83.6
Aug32.818.46
Sep27.513.16.6
Oct19.46.833.6
Nov10.1063.5
Dec4.8-462.6

Source: Open-Meteo, ERA5 reanalysis, 2011–2020

The city’s Visit Shymkent centre groups the arboretum with the zoo and the new Japanese Park at Ken Baba. Our guide to things to do in Shymkent covers the centre, and the Shymkent citadel is the place to see the city’s oldest layers. For a short evening stroll, try Independence Park.

Not verified yet We could not confirm bus routes and parking, bike hire, fountain hours, whether the 2025 ticket price still applies, or rules on picnics and fires.

Shymkent Arboretum: tips before you go

  1. In summer, come early, as the park opens at 5:00.
  2. The 100 tenge price dates from April 2025, with nothing newer found.
  3. Schoolchildren and pensioners enter free.

More to see nearby

Frequently asked questions

How much is entry to Shymkent Arboretum?
100 tenge since 3 April 2025, according to Kazinform. Pensioners, people with disabilities, veterans, schoolchildren and some mothers of large families enter free. We found no newer decision.
Is the Shymkent Dendropark worth visiting?
It suits a long shady walk or bike ride, particularly early on a summer day. City hall counts 8,880 trees in poor condition, so do not expect a manicured garden across the whole site.
Where is the arboretum?
At 101 Baidibek Bi Avenue in Al-Farabi District, according to the national tourism portal. We could not confirm a bus route, so a taxi to that address is the simple option.

Sources

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