Kazakhstan appears to the traveler as a harmonious interweaving of age-old oriental traditions and Western modernity. Modern business centers of Astana and Almaty are here side by side with the ancient cities of the Great Silk Road, and the famous Baikonur cosmodrome stands in the middle of the millennial steppe, along which fierce Mongol hordes raced centuries ago.
In Kazakhstan, the traveler is invited to visit a variety of excursion routes, get acquainted with the culture and history of the country. In the southern part, a large number of valuable architectural monuments have been preserved - mausoleums, mosques, ancient burial places, fortresses. Picturesque eco-routes are laid in the northern and central regions of Kazakhstan. Here tourists will find comfortable resorts of Bayan-Aul, Kokshetau and Muyaldy, where you can have a great rest, improve your health and gain strength.
Numerous national parks, unusual and rare in beauty lakes, slopes of the Altai mountains, unique Sufi monuments and the modern pulse of the most developed country in the region - all this awaits the traveler who decides to go to Kazakhstan.
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What to see in Kazakhstan?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.
Astana-Baiterek monument
A whimsical metal structure that adorned Astana in 1997. The monument was erected in honor of the transfer of the capital from the city of Almaty. Astana-Baiterek was conceived by President N.A. Nazarbayev, it symbolizes the ideas of nomads about the structure of the Cosmos. The tower reaches a height of 97 meters, at 86 meters there is a panoramic hall, from where a view of the entire capital opens up.
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
The architectural complex of the XIV century during the time of Emir Timur. This is a multifunctional building, which includes a meeting room, the tomb of Akhmet Yasawi, meeting rooms, a mosque, an archive, kitchen facilities, and guest rooms. The great emir himself gave recommendations on the external and internal decoration during the construction.
Baikonur Cosmodrome
The first cosmodrome on the planet, from where the development of a distant and incomprehensible Universe by man began. The first artificial Earth satellite was launched from here, and Yuri Gagarin also made a flight. Baikonur is one of the three cosmodromes on Earth, from where spacecraft with astronauts are launched.
Khan Shatyr
A striking example of modern Kazakh architecture. This futuristic building in the form of a sideways tilted tent will serve as a shopping and entertainment center. Khan-Shatyr was opened in 2010. In the middle of the building there is a spire connected to steel cables, on which a special transparent canvas is stretched. The structure is included in 10 eco-buildings in the world.
Museum of the first president of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Located in Astana, it is considered one of the main attractions of the capital. It contains books and documents written by Nazarbayev, his diplomas and awards, gifts from the heads of foreign states with wishes. There are also separate halls dedicated to the president's school years and a hall with collectible weapons. In total, the exposition contains approximately 40,000 exhibits.
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
The modern structure, erected in 2006, has the shape of a tetrahedral pyramid. It was built in accordance with the proportions of the golden section by the architect N. Foster. Some people call the palace the Eighth Wonder of the World. Inside there are conference rooms, exhibition galleries, an opera hall, greenhouses.
Palace of Independence in Astana
Another modern sight of Kazakhstan. The building was built in the shape of a trapezoid and decorated with a white figured lattice, which, according to the architects' idea, should symbolize the country's independence. The palace is used as a venue for conferences, international meetings and forums.
Map of Kazakhstan "Atameken"
Ethno-park in Astana, where the sights of the country are presented in miniature. There are both historical buildings and new buildings here. The map repeats the mountain and steppe landscapes of Kazakhstan, contains copies of industrial facilities, bridges, roads. More than 200 attractions are presented in total.
Sports complex Medeo
Alpine complex in the Medeo tract near Almaty. There is the highest skating rink in the world (at an altitude of about 1700 m above sea level). Hundreds of world records in speed skating were set at this rink, for which the place was called the "factory of records".
Almaty zoo
The oldest zoological park in Kazakhstan, was founded in the 30s. XX century. The vast territory houses about 500 species of animals, birds and representatives of the aquatic world. 77 species are included in the Red Book of the CIS countries. The zoo also has a lot of exotic animals imported from Africa. The zoo is a popular holiday destination for locals with children.
Nur-Astana Mosque
The second largest mosque in Central Asia, built in 2005. Occupies an area of about 4 thousand square meters. The gilded dome of the mosque reaches 40 meters in height, the four side minaret towers are 63 meters long (according to the number of earthly years of the Prophet Muhammad). Nur-Astana is an iconic place for residents of the capital, as well as one of the most visited attractions.
Khazret Sultan Mosque
The magnificent cathedral mosque of Astana, opened in 2012. The name of the temple is translated as “the holy sultan”. The mosque was named after the revered Sufi sheikh of the 13th century. Khoja Ahmed Yassawi - Muslim saint, poet and philosopher. The mosque covers an area of about 11 hectares and can simultaneously accommodate 10 thousand parishioners.
Underground mosque Beket-ata
Place of pilgrimage for Muslims. The mosque was built in the 18th-19th centuries. Beket-atoy, who remained in memory as the builder of mosques and madrasahs. Next to the temple is the tomb of the follower of Khoja Ahmed Yassavi Shopan-ata, who is also very revered among Kazakh Muslims.
Arystan-Baba mausoleum
Historical monument of the XII-XIV centuries. near the ruins of the ancient city of Otyrar. The mausoleum was built over the grave of Arystan Bab, a legendary and respected religious mystic, a mighty batyr. According to legend, Arystan Baba was the spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yassavi. Also, according to legend, he taught the Prophet Muhammad himself to plant gardens.
Ascension Cathedral in Almaty
Historical monument of Christian architecture of the early XX century. The building was built of wood according to the old technology, practically without the use of nails. The cathedral is one of the 8 tallest wooden buildings in the world. Since 1995, by decision of the authorities, services in the church have resumed after an almost 70-year hiatus.
Aksu-Zhabaglinsky reserve
The first reserve in Kazakhstan, established in 1926. It was created with the aim of preserving the natural ecosystem of the Zhabagly and Aksu rivers. On the territory of the reserve there are about 300 species of birds, 50 species of mammals and more than 3000 representatives of flora. In addition to picturesque mountain rivers, the nature park has 27 small lakes.
Altyn-Emel National Park
An area located in the Ili River valley, where amazing desert, mountainous and gravelly landscapes meet. Tourists can enjoy a magnificent view of the "lunar" landscapes of the Aktau mountains, which are painted in all shades of yellow and orange. Altyn-Emel claims to be included in the UNESCO list of natural heritage.
Singing dune
Natural phenomenon of the Altyn-Emel reserve. It is a huge sandy hill that "sings". The sounds created by blowing the sand with the wind were attributed by the locals to the desert shaitans, creating many legends about the dune.The singing of the dune is a rather rare natural phenomenon.
Petroglyphs of Tamgaly-Tas
A monument of ancient fine arts, which reveals the original culture of the tribes that once inhabited the Kazakh steppes. Petroglyphs are located in the Tamgaly tract, they have more than 4000 drawings of the Bronze Age, the Turkic era, the period of the early nomads. The drawings depict people, animals, scenes from everyday life and hunting.
Borovoe resort (Burabay)
The resort area called "Kazakh Switzerland". A unique green area in the middle of the desert with clean lakes and centuries-old groves on the slopes of picturesque mountains. The best place for leisurely rest, contemplation, walks. Here, visitors are offered to take courses on improving the body with the help of koumiss.
Big Almaty Lake
A beautiful turquoise lake near Almaty, where water flows from the Tien Shan glaciers. The depth of the lake is more than 40 meters, the length is about 1.5 km. Unlike other lakes of this type (for example, Lake Ritsa in Abkhazia), the reservoir during the year has a rather unusual shade from turquoise to light green.
Issyk lake
The reservoir, located at an altitude of more than 1700 m. In the Issyk gorge. In 1963, due to the descent of mudflows, the lake was emptied in a few hours. In this case, 100 people died. Now the lake has been restored, but at a faster rate. Huge boulders on the banks are a reminder of the tragedy of 50 years ago.
Lake Balkhash
It is a large closed body of water with diverse fauna and flora. The lake is a popular beach destination for local residents and guests from Russia, despite the rather poorly developed infrastructure. The territory of the reservoir is bordered by the picturesque chain of Bektau-ata mountains, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the Northern Balkhash region.
Aral Sea
A large salt lake that has been shallowing for 50 years. Back in the 60s. it was included in the 5 largest lakes in the world. But due to the active intake of water for the needs of agriculture, irreversible processes began and the shores began to turn into a lifeless desert. Now the Aral Sea has lost tens of kilometers of its former coastline.
Charyn canyon
Natural monument, which is more than 12 million years old, very similar to the famous and advertised Grand Canyon in the United States. It stretches for almost 100 km. The most accessible and visited part of the canyon is the "Valley of Castles", where there is a car path and a trail for tourists. The Charyn Canyon is a breathtaking sight of “alien” amazing forms in which rocks have formed.
