Semey (Kazakh: Семей), formerly known as Semipalatinsk (Russian: Семипала́тинск, until 2007) and Alash-kala (Kazakh: Алаш-қала / Alaş-qala, 1917–1920), is a city in Kazakhstan with a population of around 300,000 people.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Semipalatinsk got its start as a fort of the Russian empire in 1718 where a Buddhist monastery had existed along the Irtysh River. But probably what it is most known for is its notoriety for being close to the centre of the Soviet atomic weapons testing program known as the 1 Semipalatinsk Test Site that was active from 1949 to 1989, about 150 miles to the west. This has had long-lasting ill effects on the populace of Semipalatinsk, which was shortened to just Semey to try to disassociate from that disastrous spectacle.
1 Silnee Smerti (Stronger Than Death Memorial), Polkovnichiy Island. to the victims of nuclear testing (updated Feb 2021) 2 Semipalatinsk Bridge (Semey Bridge or Семей қаласындағы аспалы көпір). A suspension bridge with elegant lines over the Irtysh River. It is quite an eyecatcher, including when it's lit up or when steam is rising off the river. (updated Feb 2021) 3 Jamyshevskie Vorota, Abai street 111A. This gate is all that's left of a seven-chamber fortress that was erected in Semey in 1718 by order of Peter I. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Abai Museum (Abai Qunanbaiuli Literature Museum), Internacionalnaya St 29. Tu-Su 10ː00-18ː00.
1 Enlik-Kebek Cinema, Tanirbergenov St, ☏ +7 702 180 5625. A notable cinema, though it seems to be going through hard times. (updated Feb 2021) 2 Victory Park, Internacionalnaya St 97. A place to check out some tanks and patriotic statues. (updated Feb 2021) 3 Central Park, Internacionalnaya St. ~06:00-23:00. Rather neglected, but a possible outdoor venue for some exercise or relaxation. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Biological Center (Биологический центр), ☏ +7 778 320 5587. A zoo. And, while you're out on the island, be sure to check out the Stronger Than Death (Сильнее смерти) statue adjacent. (updated Feb 2021) Football: Elimei Semey play soccer in Premier League, the top tier.
1 Kafe "Khalva" (Кафе "Халва"), Dulatov St 140, ☏ +7 7222 36 37 37. all day. Coffee and a variety of meals. (updated Feb 2021)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Semey typically sees ~25°C daytime highs and 11 rainy days.
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