Astakhovka can be understood through its early settlement history and its location on the Almaty–Astana railway route.

Local History and Getting There

The settlement was established in 1907; January 30, 1908 is recorded as its official founding date. The place was formerly called Baymyrza, after a nearby shallow river. The current name is associated with the settlers’ former place of residence. The two years therefore refer to different stages in the history of the settlement.

Astakhovka and Astakhovka Station are on the Almaty–Astana railway route; the station is on the Myrza–Shokai section. Its location on the route is a useful reference point, but it does not replace checking for a suitable train connection and the current timetable. A road route connecting Karaganda with Karkaraly runs through nearby Aktau. This road connection and the railway route are different points of reference for planning a trip.

Water and Local Orientation

A local report from 2020 described Astakhovka as lacking a central water supply and relying on spring water. An earlier district report also noted summer drinking-water shortages. Ask about the current status of the water supply before travelling.

Astakhovka Station should be considered separately: a 2020 report described a repaired water network there, with a water tower, a borehole, a one-kilometre pipeline and four water-drawing points. According to the report, households received drinking water; at the time, the water was assessed as meeting hygiene standards. These details refer to the situation at that time.

A children’s play area was created in Astakhovka as part of district improvement works. If it is important for your visit, check its current condition in advance.

Places to Visit in the Wider Qaraghandy Travel Destination

In Karkaraly National Park, Basin Lake is accessible only on foot via the “Stone Fairy Tales” route. Check the route’s duration and seasonal conditions before making plans. The Three Caves, also known as the “Cave of Primitive Man,” are in the Malik­say tract in the national park, about three kilometres from Karkaraly. They form a small granite canyon with three entrances to an underground area and a stream; scattered pine trees grow on the slopes.

The Great Lake near Karkaraly offers something different: the freshwater lake covers 2.5 square kilometres and has a maximum depth of about 4.6 metres. The north or west shore is recommended for beach areas; conditions along the shore can vary seasonally. This distinguishes a lake reached only on foot from a focus on particular shore areas within the wider Qaraghandy travel destination.

The archaeological sites also give the region a distinctive character. The Kent settlement is a significant Late Bronze Age site in Karkaraly District, in the valley of the Kyzylkenysh River and about six kilometres from Kent village. It is associated with the Begazy-Dandybay culture; remains of residential and utility buildings, production facilities and traces of ancient metallurgy have been preserved. Access rules for Kent may change, so check them before visiting.

The Karazhartas burial site in the valley of the Taldy River in Shet District is also a Late Bronze Age archaeological monument and is associated with the Begazy-Dandybay culture. The Begazy-Dandybay complex includes megalithic tombs made of granite mausoleums and offers insight into the social hierarchy of ancient Central Asian societies. In the wider Qaraghandy travel destination, the Mausoleum of Buhar-Zhyrau in the wider district also marks the burial place of the thinker Buhar-Zhyrau.

Discover more destinations: Saryshagan, Bereznyaki, Abay, Balkhash.

Back to the main travel overview: Karaganda.