SILKTRAVEL
Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, 6 February 2027. If you’ll be in Almaty, spend the holiday in the snow with family, close friends or a little time to yourself. Here are three ways to plan the weekend around one good outing and a meal together.
If a reunion dinner is part of your family’s tradition, make that the fixed point of the trip. Set aside Friday evening, 5 February, for dinner in Almaty, then choose one place to spend time outdoors over the weekend. Leave room in the day for a second cup of tea or an extra half hour at a viewpoint.
Half a day near Almaty — Medeu and Shymbulak
Start early at Medeu, at the foot of the mountains. If the gondola is running and visibility is good, ride up to Shymbulak for a mountain view and a warm drink. You can go for the views without skiing. If the upper lifts are closed, keep the outing short and spend the afternoon back in Almaty. This is the easiest plan to scale back if someone in your group gets cold or tired.
One day in the open — Charyn Canyon
At Charyn, a dusting of snow can bring out the reds and browns of the rock. Take a thermos and make time for an open viewpoint on a marked route. If the descent into the Valley of Castles is icy or closed, spend the visit at the upper viewpoints. Ask about wind and road conditions before setting out, and plan to be back in Almaty for dinner.
Two days at a slower pace — Lower Kolsai and a village overnight
With two days, stay overnight in the Kolsai area so the lake visit doesn’t feel squeezed between long drives. Ask for a heated room, and confirm a private bathroom when booking if that matters to your group. If access to Lower Kolsai is open, walk on the shore in daylight and take your time over breakfast the next morning. Keep Kaindy flexible and stay off the lake ice. The two-day Kolsai, Kaindy and Charyn itinerary shows how the stops fit together. Agree the winter version before you book.
What to bring and what to check
Pack a warm base layer, a windproof outer layer, insulated boots with grip, gloves and a hat. Bring water and something warm to drink. Check the forecast, roads, park access and lift status close to departure. If you’re travelling alone, choose a short marked route in daylight or go with a local guide. Keep an Almaty café or museum afternoon in reserve if the mountains are under cloud or the roads are icy.
For the wider picture, see our winter guide to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and the month-by-month Almaty travel calendar.