Green Bazaar, Almaty (must see)

The Green Bazaar (Kök Bazaar), located at the intersection of Zenkov and Jibek Joly streets in Almaty, has been an important trading hub since it opened in 1875. Visitors can find a variety of goods, including spices, prepared foods, produce, textiles, furniture, and antiques. Originally, the area served as a guest yard for traveling merchants and caravans.

The guest yard, which consisted of two pavilions along Torgovaya Street, was completed in 1875. The complex welcomed visitors from all over Central Asia and neighboring countries. It was a symbol of commercial and industrial prosperity and architectural and urban planning art. After the earthquake of 1887, it was reconstructed and renamed the Central Farm Market before becoming known as the Green Bazaar.

In the 1920s, large-scale trade in agricultural products, vegetables, and fruits resumed due to the emergence of collective farms. During World War II, the bazaar was the only place where goods were sold for money, but prices were high due to the war. In the 1970s, the wooden market was demolished and replaced with a covered building designed in the brutalism style.

In 2017, a new shopping pavilion was built on the site of container pavilions and open trade counters. The pavilion occupies an area of about 20,000 square meters and includes retail space and a two-level car parking lot for 400 cars. Since February 2021, "Social shops" have been selling socially significant food products at reduced prices. Today, the Green Bazaar remains a popular tourist attraction in Almaty.