Why Tekeli
Tekeli is a city situated in the Jetisu Region of southeastern Kazakhstan. Positioned in the foothills of the Dzungarian Alatau Mountains, the city lies in the upper reaches of the Karatal River at the point where the Kora, Chazhi, and Tekelinka rivers meet. It is located 40 kilometers from Taldykorgan and 310 kilometers from Almaty. The city's name originates from historical terms for mountain goats and small antelopes that once populated the surrounding river gorges, and ancient rock paintings nearby record early hunting scenes from the local Uisun tribes.
The development of Tekeli began in the 1920s following geological surveys in the region, leading to the discovery of major polymetallic deposits containing lead, zinc, silver, cadmium, and germanium in 1933. Construction of a large lead-zinc industrial facility started in 1939 alongside a settlement for miners, eventually supplying a significant portion of the lead used during the Second World War. The settlement expanded rapidly during the post-war era with contributions from volunteers across the Soviet Union and Japanese prisoners of war, official city status being granted in 1952. Historically, Tekeli also operated the only electrified narrow-gauge railway in Kazakhstan, though it was taken down in the early 2000s.
Visitors to Tekeli can explore several notable landmarks. The city features Dinmukhamed Kunaev Street, which spans roughly 38 kilometers and holds the record as the longest street in Kazakhstan. In the city center where the three local rivers converge stands a memorial stele dedicated to the Second World War. Nearby heritage sites include Kelinshektas, also known as the Tekeli Stela, which is recognized as Kazakhstan's oldest Buddhist monument. Further along the upper Kora River, travelers can visit Burhan Bulak, the largest waterfall in the country. Additionally, the city hosted the AlmaFest apple festival to honor the cultural role of apples in the nation.
Tekeli experiences a humid continental climate marked by mild, cold winters and warm summers. It maintains a wetter and milder environment than neighboring Taldykorgan, with the highest amounts of precipitation occurring during the spring season. Beyond its historic and natural attractions, Tekeli serves as an educational hub hosting a campus of the international University of Central Asia.
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