The Arabic travelers of the ancient times used to call the area, where modern Almaty city is situated now, the Gurban Almaty (which means the city of three rivers). Esentay River (former Vesnovka) is the central river. It flows from the northern slopes of Zailisky Alatau through the whole city. Its total length is 43 km.
In 1856 the Major Permishensky built a tower on the Small Almaty River bank, initially planned to be built on Vesnovka River.
Recently, the whole area along Esentay River from Al-Farabi Avenue to Gogol Street experienced a huge reconstruction. The river now has concrete structures looking like rapids of the mountain river.
There is a mud dam blocking the river. The city administration installed various pieces of fitness equipment on the top of a dam. There are also play grounds for children with amusement attractions at the bottom of the dam.
There is a recreation area on the river bank near the Kazakh State University, the park of the Auyezov’s Theatre. There is a multifunctional center Yesentay park there. Through the windows of Yesentay mall the one can enjoy a beautiful scenery of snow mountains of Tyan Shan and apple gardens at the foothills.
