Oral (Kazakh: Орал Oral, Russian: Уральск Uralsk) is a city in West Kazakhstan.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Oral is a city in northwestern Kazakhstan, at the confluence of the Ural and Chagan Rivers close to the Russian border. As it is located on the western side of the Ural river, it is considered geographically in Europe. It has a population of 330,000 (2019). It is the capital of the West Kazakhstan Province. While the majority of the population is made up of ethnic Kazakhs, ethnic Russians also make up a large percent of the populations, and many other ethnic groups such as Tatars, Bashkirs, and Azaris are also represented.
The city has a functioning transportation network including buses and marshrutkas (mini-vans that drive along a set route). However, getting a map of the transportation network may be difficult for travelers to the city. Taxis services are also available. As in many countries of the former Soviet Union, gypsy cabs can be easily hailed from the street. Like in many other cities in Kazakhstan, many streets have been renamed in the 2010s and early 2020s. Older guides or advice might still point to old names; Google Maps also often shows outdated names. Here are some significant changes:
Traditional Russian architecture dating back to the 17th century can be seen throughout the center of the city. The main pedestrian street of Dina Nurpeisova (previously Teatralnaya) is like a mini version of Moscow's Arbat. Kazakhstan's first drama theatre, 150 years old, is located in this street. This theatre is now known as the Russian drama theatre. A larger, modern drama theatre, known as the Kazakh drama theatre, is located nearby on the main boulevard, Nazarbayev Avenue (previously Dostyk). Beautiful architecture, including two Russian Orthodox churches (one which is quite old), can also be found along Nazarbayev Avenue. 1 Museum of Yemelyan Pugachev (музей им.
1 Station of Young Naturalists (Жас натуралисттер станциясы), Kairat Ryskulbekov St 49, ☏ +7 7112 50 47 97. M-F 09ː00-18ː00. A small zoo with small enclosures. Bears and cats and fowl. (updated Feb 2021)
1 Sim-Sim (сим сим), Nursultan Nazarbayev Avenue 187, ☏ +7 705 514 5127. daily 10ː00-22ː00. This restaurant is the most renowned in Uralsk for its 'Meat-on-a-stick', kebabs, or 'Shashleek' as the local Kazakhs call it. Check out the back room where there is an excellent picture of some 3D cats. Superb toilet facilities. 2 Beer Restaurant "Prazhskiye Nochi" (Пивной ресторан "Пражские ночи"), Evrazia Avenue 61/1. Tu-Su 12ː00-00ː00, M 14ː00-00ː00. Kind of like the name says, a purveyor of beer and lunch and dinner. (updated Feb 2021) 3 Summer Restaurant "Na Vysote" (Летний ресторан "На высоте"), Evrazia Avenue 61/1. Here you can dine on the rooftop patio (in summer). (updated Feb 2021)
1 The Golden Cat (opposite Sim-Sim), Nursultan Nazarbayev Avenue 190. daily 12ː00-02ː00. This bar cum restaurant is a favorite haunt for locals and ex-pats alike. You will often find people from the UK and US gathered here. The food is excellent and the beer is better. If you attend on a weekend evening, you can enjoy the sweet, chilled pleasure of saxophone jazz. Check out the che-chill and the excellent toilet facilities. 2 El Divino, Srayshyk Street 40. daily 10ː00-04ː00. A night club/karaoke place that serves food and drinks. (updated Feb 2021)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Oral typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 4 rainy days.
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