It happens that way. When you go to Dzhambul, and you come to Taraz. Of course, over the past thirty years, the city has been disfigured beyond recognition in places. There is a lot of visual noise in the form of banners, stands, and ridiculous structures. Signs in Latin and attempts to contrast old Cyrillic texts are such a kindergarten, of course. Renamed streets are a nightmare, of course. Even the locals don't know where it is. Denial of one's own history, even on the example of small streets - well, such a thing... The center has been cleaned, of course, but in remote areas in places there is just a lot of garbage lying around container sites and just in vacant lots. An attempt to make a registan on the site of the green bazaar is, in my subjective opinion, a slightly strange decision, but time will tell how justified it is. Russian payment systems do not work, so you have to limit yourself in everything. But... the city of my childhood, so I'm giving it a four. Even if only the foundations were left, I wouldn't put it below the top three anyway. Because this is my small homeland. I love it in any form.
Taraz is my beloved and hometown, Taraz is my childhood, youth and present time. Taraz is pride, the feeling of first love, these are your family and friends. Taraz is everything to me, it's beauty, it's versatility, it's wonderful people. Taraz is a pride.