Shymkent or Almaty: Where should you start your Kazakhstan trip?

Kazakhstan has just become a little more interesting for Singapore travellers.

From 20 October 2026, SCAT Airlines is scheduled to operate a twice-weekly Singapore–Shymkent service, with the route operating via Sanya in China. That means Singapore travellers looking at Kazakhstan now have a new southern gateway to consider.

But it also raises a practical question:

If you're planning your first Kazakhstan holiday, should you start in Shymkent or Almaty?

The answer depends less on which city is “better” and more on what you actually want from your trip.

A new getaway into Kazakhstan

For many Singapore travellers, Almaty has traditionally been the obvious starting point for Kazakhstan holidays.

The city is well known for its combination of cafés, city life and access to some of the country's most impressive natural landscapes.

But the new Shymkent connection gives travellers another way to approach Kazakhstan.

Shymkent sits in the south of the country and can work particularly well if your interests lean towards history, culture and Silk Road heritage rather than starting with Kazakhstan's mountain scenery.

It can also make sense if you're considering combining Kazakhstan with another Central Asian country.

So instead of thinking: “I have to get to Almaty first.”

You can start by asking: “Which part of Kazakhstan do I actually want to experience?”

What changes when you arrive in Shymkent?

Shymkent offers a different introduction to Kazakhstan.

The city is a gateway to southern Kazakhstan, where the travel experience can feel more focused on heritage, local culture and historic routes.

One of the major attractions in the wider region is Turkistan, an important cultural and historical destination associated with Kazakhstan's Silk Road heritage.

This makes the southern route particularly appealing for travellers who enjoy:

• Historic cities and monuments
• Islamic and Silk Road heritage
• Local culture and traditions
• Exploring beyond the usual first-time itinerary
• Combining Kazakhstan with Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan

For a traveller who has already seen the classic highlights of Almaty, starting further south could also make the trip feel completely different.

And that is perhaps the biggest reason to consider Shymkent.

It gives you a reason to see another side of Kazakhstan rather than simply repeating the same itinerary.

Then There’s Almaty…

Almaty is a natural choice if your idea of Kazakhstan involves mountains, lakes and dramatic landscapes.

The city is surrounded by the Tien Shan mountains and works as a convenient base for exploring some of the country's best-known natural attractions.

Depending on your itinerary, you could look at experiences such as:

• Charyn Canyon for dramatic desert-like landscapes
• Lake Kaindy and its famous submerged trees
• Mountain scenery around Almaty
• City cafés, restaurants and markets
• Day trips into the surrounding countryside

This makes Almaty particularly attractive if you want a holiday that combines city experiences with nature and outdoor scenery.

It is also a strong starting point for travellers who want to build their Kazakhstan trip around the country's mountain landscapes.

What kind of traveller are you?

Instead of choosing a city based simply on popularity, think about what you want your holiday to feel like.

If history and culture are your priority: Starting in Shymkent can open up southern Kazakhstan and the heritage around Turkistan.

If mountains and scenery are your priority: Almaty may make more sense, particularly if Charyn Canyon, Lake Kaindy and the surrounding mountains are high on your list.

If you've already visited Almaty: Shymkent gives you an opportunity to experience a less familiar side of Kazakhstan.

If you're planning a wider Central Asia journey: Either city can work, but your route should be designed around the countries and regions you want to connect.

This is where a tailored itinerary can make a big difference. Rather than choosing a destination first and trying to fit everything around it, you can work backwards from the experiences you want.

Don’t treat Shymkent as just an arrival point

One mistake would be to look at the new flight and think of Shymkent simply as the place where you land before travelling somewhere else.

Southern Kazakhstan deserves more than that.

If your interests include history and culture, arriving in Shymkent could actually improve your itinerary by allowing you to explore the south before moving onwards.

Instead of: Singapore → Shymkent → rush to Almaty

You could consider: Singapore → Shymkent → Southern Kazakhstan → Almaty

That creates a more varied trip, moving from heritage and culture into mountains, nature and city life.

And if you are already travelling a long way to Central Asia, it can be worthwhile to make the journey feel like a proper exploration rather than simply ticking off one city.

Could This Be the Start of a Bigger Central Asia Trip?

This is where Kazakhstan becomes particularly interesting.

You don't necessarily have to treat it as a standalone holiday.

Kazakhstan can be combined with neighbouring destinations depending on your interests and available travel time.

Kazakhstan + Kyrgyzstan: This combination works well for travellers interested in mountains, lakes, outdoor experiences and nomadic culture. You could begin in Kazakhstan before continuing into Kyrgyzstan for a change of scenery and travel style.

Kazakhstan + Uzbekistan: This is a particularly interesting option for travellers drawn to Silk Road history, architecture and cultural heritage. Southern Kazakhstan can provide a natural starting point before continuing towards Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan + Kyrgyzstan + Uzbekistan: For travellers who want a more immersive Central Asia experience, combining three countries can create a much broader journey. You get a mix of landscapes, historic cities, local traditions and different travel experiences rather than spending the entire trip in one country.

The important part is not simply adding more countries. It is making sure the route makes sense.

A multi-country itinerary that looks impressive on paper can quickly become tiring if too much of the holiday is spent moving between destinations. This is one reason Central Asia trips benefit from careful planning.

The best starting point is the one that fits your trip

So, Shymkent or Almaty?

There isn't one universal answer.

Choose Shymkent if you want to explore southern Kazakhstan, experience more history and culture, or use the new Singapore connection as an opportunity to discover a different side of the country.

Choose Almaty if mountains, nature and some of Kazakhstan's most famous landscapes are the main reason you're going.

Or, if you have enough time, don't choose just one.

A well-planned itinerary can connect Shymkent and Almaty and give you a much more varied introduction to Kazakhstan.

With the new Singapore–Shymkent service starting from October 2026, Singapore travellers have another gateway into Central Asia to consider. The route is scheduled to operate twice weekly and via Sanya, so flight schedules and routing should be checked when planning your trip.

Planning a Kazakhstan Holiday from Singapore?

Whether you want to explore Shymkent and Turkistan, Almaty's mountains, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, or a wider Central Asia itinerary, Fayyaz Travels can help you build a trip around the places and experiences that matter to you.

Ready to discover your Vietnam way?

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Frequently asked questions

1. Is there a new flight from Singapore to Shymkent?

Yes. SCAT Airlines is scheduled to launch a twice-weekly Singapore–Shymkent service from 20 October 2026. The service operates via Sanya, China.

2. Is Shymkent worth visiting?

Yes, particularly if you are interested in southern Kazakhstan, history, culture and Silk Road heritage. It can also be a useful starting point for a wider Central Asia itinerary.

3. Can I visit Shymkent and Almaty on the same trip?

Yes. Combining both can give you a more varied Kazakhstan experience, particularly if you want to experience southern Kazakhstan as well as Almaty's mountain and nature attractions.

4. Can I combine Kazakhstan with Kyrgyzstan?

Yes. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan can work well together, particularly for travellers interested in mountains, lakes, outdoor experiences and Central Asian culture.

5. Is Kazakhstan suitable for a first Central Asia trip?

It can be a good introduction, especially if you prefer having a well-planned itinerary. Distances can be significant, and combining several regions or countries requires careful routing, so planning the journey as a whole is important.