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    Tourist Attractions in Kazakhstan

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Kazakhstan. Photos and a brief description.

    About Kazakhstan

    Kazakhstan appears to the traveler as a harmonious interweaving of centuries-old Eastern traditions and Western Art Nouveau. Modern business centers of Astana and Almaty are adjacent to the ancient cities of the Great Silk Road, and the famous Baikonur cosmodrome stands in the middle of a thousand-year-old steppe, along which fierce Mongol hordes raced centuries ago.

    In Kazakhstan, the traveler is invited to visit a variety of sightseeing 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 burials, fortresses. Picturesque eco-routes are laid in the northern and central regions of Kazakhstan. Here tourists are waiting for the 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 lakes, the 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 decided to go to Kazakhstan.

    Top Cities to Visit in Kazakhstan

    Top Tourist Attractions in Kazakhstan

    Astana-Bayterek Monument

    A bizarre metal structure that decorated Astana in 1997. The monument was erected in honor of the transfer of the capital from the city 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 the 86th meter there is a panoramic hall with a view of the entire capital.

    Astana-Bayterek Monument
    Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

    Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

    An architectural complex of the XIV century of the time of Emir Timur. This is a multifunctional structure, which includes a meeting hall, the tomb of Akhmet Yasavi, meeting rooms, mosque, archive, kitchen facilities, guest rooms. The great Emir himself gave recommendations about the exterior and interior decoration during the construction.

    Baikonur Cosmodrome

    The first cosmodrome on the planet, from where human exploration of the distant and incomprehensible Universe began. From here, the first artificial satellite of the Earth was launched, and Yu. Gagarin. Baikonur is one of the three cosmodromes of the Earth, from where spaceships with astronauts are launched.

    Baikonur Cosmodrome
    Khan Shatyr

    Khan Shatyr

    A striking example of modern Kazakh architecture. This futuristic building in the form of a tent tilted sideways will serve as a shopping and entertainment center. Khan Shatyr was opened in 2010. In the middle of the structure there is a spire connected to steel cables, on which a special transparent cloth is stretched. The design 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. 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 school years of the president and a hall with collectible weapons. In total, the exposition contains approximately 40,000 exhibits.

    Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
    Palace of Peace and Accord

    Palace of Peace and Accord

    The modern structure, erected in 2006, has the shape of a four-sided pyramid. It was built in accordance with the proportions of the golden section by architect N. Foster. Some people call the palace the Eighth Wonder of the World. Inside there are conference halls, exhibition galleries, an opera hall, greenhouses.

    Independence Palace in Astana

    Another modern attraction of Kazakhstan. The building is built in the form of a trapezoid and decorated with a white figured lattice, which, according to the architects' idea, should symbolize the independence of the country. The palace is used as a venue for conferences, international meetings and forums.

    Independence Palace in Astana
    Map of Kazakhstan

    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. There are more than 200 attractions in total.

    Medeo Sports Complex

    High-mountain complex in the tract Medeo is not far from Almaty. There is the highest-altitude 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 skating rink, for which the place became known as the "factory of records".

    Medeo Sports Complex
    Almaty Zoo

    Almaty Zoo

    The oldest zoological park in Kazakhstan, was founded in the 30s of the XX century. The vast territory accommodates about 500 species of animals, birds and representatives of the aquatic world. 77 species are listed in the Red Book of the CIS countries. There are also a lot of exotic animals imported from Africa in the zoo. The zoo is a popular holiday destination for locals with children.

    Nur-Astana Mosque

    The second largest mosque in Central Asia, built in 2005, covers an area of about 4 thousand m2. The gilded dome of the mosque reaches 40 meters in height, four side towers-minarets stretched to 63 meters (according to the number of earthly years of the Prophet Muhammad). Nur-Astana is a landmark place for residents of the capital, as well as one of the most visited attractions.

    Nur-Astana Mosque
    Hazret Sultan Mosque

    Hazret Sultan Mosque

    The magnificent Cathedral mosque of Astana, opened in 2012 The name of the temple translates as "holy Sultan". The mosque was named after the revered Sufi sheikh of the XIII century . Hodji Ahmed Yassawi is a Muslim saint, poet and philosopher. The mosque occupies an area of about 11 hectares, at the same time accommodates 10 thousand parishioners.

    Beket-ata Underground Mosque

    A place of pilgrimage for Muslims. The mosque was built in the XVIII-XIX centuries. Beket-atoy, who remained in memory as a builder of mosques and madrassas. Next to the temple there is a tomb of a follower of Khoja Ahmed Yassavi Shopan-ata, which is also very revered among Kazakh Muslims.

    Arystan Baba Mausoleum

    Arystan Baba Mausoleum

    Historical monument of the XII-XIV centuries near the ruins of the ancient city Otyrar. The mausoleum was built over the grave of Arystan Baba, 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 of Almaty

    Historical monument of Christian architecture of the early XX century . The building is built of wood according to ancient technology with almost no use of nails. The cathedral is one of the 8 tallest wooden buildings in the world. Since 1995, by the decision of the authorities, services have resumed in the church after an almost 70-year break.

    Ascension Cathedral of Almaty
    Aksu-Zhabaglinsky Nature Reserve

    Aksu-Zhabaglinsky Nature Reserve

    The first nature reserve of Kazakhstan, established in 1926. It was created in order to preserve the natural eco-system 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 the picturesque mountain rivers, there are 27 small lakes in the natural park.

    Altyn-Emel National Park

    The territory located in the valley of the Ili River, where there are amazing desert, mountain and gravelly landscapes. 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 Natural Heritage List.

    Altyn-Emel National Park
    Singing Dune

    Singing Dune

    A natural phenomenon of the Altyn-Emel Nature Reserve. It is a huge sand hill that "sings". The sounds created by blowing sand by the wind, the locals attributed to the desert shaitans, creating many legends about the dune. The singing of a dune is a rather rare natural phenomenon.

    Petroglyphs of Tamgaly-Tas

    A monument of ancient fine art, which reveals the original culture of the tribes that once inhabited the Kazakh steppes. Petroglyphs are located in the tract Tamgaly, they have more than 4,000 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.

    Petroglyphs of Tamgaly-Tas

    Borovoe Resort (Burabay)

    The resort area, called "Kazakh Switzerland". A unique green area in the middle of the desert with pristine lakes and centuries-old groves on the slopes of picturesque mountains. The best place for a leisurely rest, contemplation, walking. Here visitors are offered to take courses of improving the body with the help of koumiss.

    Big Almaty Lake

    A beautiful turquoise lake near Almaty, where water flows from the glaciers of the Tien Shan. 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.

    Big Almaty Lake
    Lake Issyk

    Lake Issyk

    A reservoir located at an altitude of more than 1700 m. in the Issyk gorge. In 1963, due to mudflow, the lake was emptied in a few hours. At the same time, 100 people were killed. Now the lake has been restored, but in a more rapid size. Huge boulders on the shores are a reminder of the tragedy of 50 years ago.

    Lake Balkhash

    A large drainless reservoir with a diverse fauna and flora. The lake is a popular place for beach holidays for locals and guests from Russia, despite the rather poorly developed infrastructure. The territory of the reservoir is bordered by the picturesque chain of the Bektau-Ata mountains, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the North Balkhashye.

    Lake Balkhash
    The Aral Sea

    The Aral Sea

    A large salt lake that has been shrinking for 50 years. Back in the 60s of the XX century. it was one of 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

    The natural monument, which is more than 12 million years old, is very similar to the famous and advertised Grand Canyon in the USA. 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 an exciting spectacle of "alien" amazing forms in which rocks have formed.

    Charyn Canyon