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The city encompasses 722.0 square kilometres (278.8 sq mi). The elevation of Astana is 347 metres (1,138 ft) above sea level. Astana is in a spacious steppe landscape, in the transitional area between the north of Kazakhstan and the extremely thinly settled national centre, because of the Ishim River.
Learn about the history, culture and attractions of Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, formerly known as Astana. Discover its landmark buildings, skyline and future plans in this comprehensive guide.
2 days ago · Astana, capital of Kazakhstan. It lies in the north-central part of the country, along the Ishim River, at the junction of the Trans-Kazakhstan and South Siberian railways. The city was founded as a Russian military outpost in 1824. Learn more about Astana, including its history and economy.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Bayterek Tower. In the heart of Astana, the Bayterek Tower stands as a symbol of the city’s innovative spirit and its rapid development in the 21st century.
- Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation serves as a landmark of the city and a hub for cultural and political events.
- Assumption Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The Assumption Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a remarkable structure that stands out with its pristine white walls, sky-blue details, and gleaming golden domes.
- Hazrat Sultan Mosque. The Hazrat Sultan Mosque is a notable Friday mosque that has become an essential thing to do in Astana for visitors interested in architecture and religion.
- Home to The World’S Fair at Expo 2017
- Spy Futuristic Architecture on Nurzhol Bulvar
- Eat Like A Local
- Listen to Traditional Music
- Hit The Beach, Indoors
- Get A Room For Any Price
- Uncover History in A world-class Museum
- Remember The Soviet Past
- Make It Happen
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Astana’s profile got an international lift when the city hosted Expo 2017 (expo2017astana.com), kicking off on 10 June 2017. Despite Kazakhstan'soil-reliant economy, the Expo’s theme was ‘Future Energy’, with energy companies, NGOs and the general public debating how to have safe and sustainable access to energy while reducing emissions. The Expo s...
Stroll Nurzhol Bulvar to spot Astana’s most striking contemporary constructions. The architecture-exhibition boulevard runs between the impressive Ak Orda – the imposing, palatial building where the president works – and Khan Shatyr, a wacky off-centre tent-like structure and one of Astana’s most incredible buildings. The centrepiece of Nurzhol Bul...
Like any capital city worth its salt, Astana’s dining scene is varied and expanding fast. Culinary offerings range from comfort Kazakh food at the likes of Epoch (a kitschy Soviet restaurant at 9 Valikhanov St) and Vechnoye Nebo (vechnoenebo.kz) to excellent shashlik (skewered meat) and own brew at the Line Brew microbrewery. International cuisines...
Astana may be a modern city, but it’s still possible to hear the sounds of the dombra (a two-stringed, long-necked Turkic lute) and the kobyz (an ancient, fiddle-like string instrument) at folk music concerts. The most prestigious venue for these concerts is the Central Concert Hall, a curvy, flower-like structure designed by Italian architect Manf...
The 150m-high, translucent Khan Shatyris one of Astana’s most remarkable buildings. Designed by Norman Foster, it’s the largest marquee in the world. The structure is made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, a heat-absorbing material that keeps the temperature inside the marquee-cum-shopping-centre a balmy 20+ degrees, a tropical oasis in the depths o...
Thirty-five new hotels opened in Astana in the lead up to Expo 2017, and there are rooms for all budgets, from the 5-star Radisson, St Regis Astana (stregisastanaresidences.com) and Beijing Palace Soluxe (soluxe-astana.kz) to bona fide hostels such as Nomad Hostel and Apple Hostel, and a whole slew of mid-range hotels, such as Boutique Hotel Tomiri...
The giant National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstanis a remarkable collection of all things Kazakhstani. The entrance hall is magnificent, with a soaring golden eagle under the Kazakh sun, and exhibits run the gamut from archaeology and pre-history to WWII, the Gulags and contemporary Kazakh art. The Hall of Gold showcases the treasures unearth...
The area around Astana has a sombre history. During Stalin’s reign, the village of Malinovka, 35km west of Astana, was home to ALZhIR, an internment camp for the wives and children of the ‘enemies of the people’. The Museum-Memorial Complex honours the victims of Soviet political repression with numerous displays on the Gulag system in Kazakhstan. ...
Many travellers are surprised at how easy it is to reach Astana. Kazakhstan’s national airline, Air Astana, operates non-stop flights to the capital from major cities in Europe and Asia, as well as from other destinations in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Travellers from 45 countries, including the European Union, the United States, Canada and Aust...
Astana is a modern city that showcases international architecture, energy projects and cultural diversity. Learn about its history, attractions, dining, music and more in this Lonely Planet article.
Astana, Kazakhstan. Designated the capital city of Kazakhstan in the late 1990s, Nur-Sultan boasts a landscape glittering with new architecture and construction projects as the government infrastructure continues to be built.
Explore the must-see sights of Nur-Sultan (Astana), the capital of Kazakhstan, from museums and monuments to mosques and parks. Learn about the history, culture and architecture of this modern and dynamic city.
