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What to know before you travel to
KAZAKHSTAN
General information
Located in the central Asia, Kazakhstan occupies an
area of 2.7 million square kilometers. It is the ninth
largest country in the world. Also, it is the largest
landlocked country in the world and twice as compared
to the size of four Central Asian states. It is enclosed
by Russia (North), Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and
Uzbekistan (South), Caspian Sea and Russia (West)
and China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (East).
The country has a coastline of about 1,894 km of the Caspian Sea. Most of the part of
Kazakhstan is located in Asia. But a small part of the country is located in Eastern Europe.
CLIMATE
Average temperature in the coldest month of winter January is -18,7°С in the North and 1,5°С in the South. Because of dry weather and bright sun, which is common in most parts of
Kazakhstan, temperature of -15°С might be felt like only -5° – 0°С in wet weather. Snowy
winters are ideal for winter sports activities, for example in ski resorts. However, additional
care should be taken and appropriate preparations must be done by those, who are not used
to cold weather.
Average temperature of the hottest month in summer - July – is +18,8°С in the North and
+28,8°С in the South. Beach holidays at seas and lakes of Kazakshtan and at holiday villages
are popular among tourists during hot summers. August and September are perfect for
trekking in the mountains of the East and South-East Kazakhstan.
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Capital: Astana
Largest cities: Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, Karagandy (Karaganda)
Languages: Kazakh and Russian are spoken by the local population; English is usually used
by staff of major tourism companies and hotels.
Currency: the national currency is Tenge (KZT); US Dollars, Euro and other currencies can
be easily exchanged in banks and exchange bureaus.
Weather: The best season to travel to Kazakhstan is from March to November, since winter
in Kazakhstan is usually cold; however snowy winters might be perfect for winter sports.
Temperature in summer can reach up to +40'C and more in some regions. More on weather
and climate of Kazakhstan
Population: major ethnicity is Kazakh; other ethnic groups include Russians, Uzbeks, Tatars,
Germans, etc. About 55% of the population is urban and the rest is rural.
Food: Kazakh cuisine, Central Asian, Russian cuisines, as well as Italian, Turkish, Korean
restaurants are popular in Kazakhstan. Organic and naturally grown ingredients are usually
used to prepare meals, which give them an exceptionally rich taste.
Emergency and other important telephone numbers in Kazakhstan
101 – Fire brigade
102 - Police
103 - Ambulance
104 – Gas leaks
112 – Rescue service
171 – International and interregional telephone communication orders
118 – Directory inquiry service
Business working hours: Usual business working hours in Kazakhstan are from 9.00 till
18.00 with a lunch break between 13.00 and 14.00, though some companies, especially in
the service industry might work till 8-10 pm.
Shops in major cities like Astana and Almaty are usually open till 8-10 pm and some
supermarkets work 24 hours. Bargaining is usually not acceptable in shops, but it is a
common practice in bazaars.
Money: Kazakh national currency is Tenge (KZT). US Dollars, Euro and other major
currencies can be easily exchanged to Tenge and back in official exchange bureaus and
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banks. It is advisable to keep all documents for money exchange until departure from
Kazakhstan.
The majority of European and international credit and debit cards, including Visa, Master
Card, Euro Card are accepted in most hotels, large shops and restaurants of Astana and
Almaty. In other cities, it is recommended to check with your hotel whether they accept credit
card payments or not. Traveller's cheques are not common in Kazakhstan and they are most
likely not accepted.
Drinking water: Water in cities is chlorinated, so it is safe to use. Bottled water is widely
available.
Communication: Mobile phone network coverage is available all over Kazakhstan, though in
remote areas the coverage might be limited. Internet access: free Wi-Fi is available in
airports and railway stations of major cities (Astana and Almaty). In addition, internet cafes
are widely available in cities of Kazakhstan.
Electric power points: Electrical current in Kazakhstan is 220 volts, AC 50Hz. Two-pin
power sockets are used, mainly compatible with both German ‘Schuko’ and Europlugs.
However, unearthed old sockets, which are compatible with only thin Europlugs (4 mm Soviet
standard plugs), can be still in use in some older buildings. German Schuko to Europlug and
many other types of adapters are widely available in shops.
Kazakhstan - The Land of Wonders
Kazakhstan is a unique region in the world, because of its history, geographical position and
size. Being the world’s 9th largest country and located in the
centre of Eurasia, it is also the largest landlocked country in
the world. These resulted in a specific climate and a peculiar
natural system of the country, which seems to absorb the
brightest examples of landscape of both continents. In
addition, complicated history of Kazakh people and constant
interaction of nomadic lifestyle with settled people in South
Kazakhstani ancient cities, have lead to a unique and
authentic culture of Kazakhstan.
These peculiarities have created an opportunity to develop various and diverse offers in
Kazakhstan travel and tourism industry, which include authentic cultural tourism, naturebased activities, including ecotourism, birdwatching, etc. in national parks and protected
areas, skiing or trekking in mountains, water sports, sunbathing and swimming in lakes and
rivers of Kazakhstan, and many others
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Nature-based tourism
Diversity of natural areas has contributed to rich flora and fauna of
Kazakhstan. The country is a habitat for about 122 mammal
species, 500 species of birds and 107 species of fish; and over six
thousand species of plants grow in the region. In order to preserve
such a rich world of plants and wildlife, a network of national parks
and nature reserves were established in the country. Recently,
these protected areas have become accessible to visitors.
The most famous ones among tourists include Aksu Zhabagly
Nature Reserve, which is a habitat of snow leopard and other rare
animals, and is also known as a Kingdom of Tulips, where tulips are
believed to originate, long before they were introduced in Holland;
Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve is famous for its pink flamingos and
other rare species of wildlife, and popular among bird-watchers; Altyn Emel National Park is
interesting for its mystery of Singing Dune; Katon-Karagay National Park is a habitat of
marals (red deers), unossified antlers of which are used as a precious medicine.
Mountains: Trekking and winter sports
A range of high, middle and low mountains, such as Tien Shan, Altay, Ulytau, Kazygurt, etc.
have a beautiful nature attracting tourists from all over the world. Tien Shan Mountains is the
highest among them (with the highest peak of about 7000 metres), and Almaty, the largest
city of Kazakhstan, is located at its bottom. Thus, an easy access to marvelous landscapes for
tourists interested in trekking and winter sports is available from Almaty city.
Most popular climbing routes are located in the Small Almaty Valley and Bogdanovich Glacier.
Attractions of these places include Pogrebetsky Glacier (4,231 meters), Tuyuc Su (4100 m),
Ordzhonikidze (3980 m) peaks, and many others. In addition, high mountains of Kazakhstan
are ideal for winter sports. There is no wonder that Kazakhstan hosted Winter Asian Games in
2011: one of the priorities of the country has been propaganda of winter sports.
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A unique sport complex Medeu (sometimes spelled as Medew or Medeo), with a skating rink
popular among tourists, was built in 1950’s, at 1691 metres above sea level, which makes it
the highest skating rink in the world. A sophisticated artificial refrigeration system enables to
keep high quality ice coverage over 8-months of the year. Another major winter sport
attraction of Kazakhstan is Shymbulak (Chimbulak) ski resort, also located not far from
Almaty. Snow lies in these places from November till May; however, sunny weather is usually
registered there during more than three hundred days each year. The resort hotel can accept
up to 114 tourists.
Lakes and rivers: water sports, sunbathing and health resorts
Kazakhstan is not only steppes and mountains; it is also a
country of rivers and lakes. Lakes among the steppes are
usually like an oasis among empty deserts.
Coast of the biggest lake in the world – Caspian Sea is perfect
for sunbathing, swimming and fishing. The largest number of
reservoirs is concentrated in the south-east part of the
country, in the region with a symbolic name Zhetysu - “Seven
Rivers”. Almost all the rivers of Zhetysu belong to the basin of
Lake Balkhash, which is also a popular tourist destination for
its health centres and recreation camps. Besides health resorts, rafting in mountain rivers for
extreme tourists, boating and sailing in lakes are only a few examples of activities offered for
tourists in Kazakhstan.
Culture: ethnotourism
Unique culture of Kazakhstan is a reason to travel to Kazakhstan for many tourists. Almost in
every corner of the republic, a visitor, interested in real life of Kazakh people - their
traditions, rituals, art and culture, will find many things of interest. These include museum
complexes, ethno villages, depicting traditional lifestyle of Kazakh people, historical sites of
medieval cities and many others.
For example, tourists are
offered to
experience traditional lifestyle of Kazakhs, to
try national dishes and to interact with the
local people in Shabanbay Bi Village, situated
in Kyzylaray Mountains, Central Kazakhstan.
Zhambyl Zhabayev museum complex in
Almaty region includes a house with a garden,
where the poet lived in XIX-XX centuries and a
mausoleum. This is a visual representation of
not only Zhambyl’s life, but also of a whole
era in which the poet lived and worked. South
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Kazakhstan is famous for ancient cities located at the routes
of the Great Silk Road with historical monuments and other
sites.
Ethno-memorial complex Map of Kazakhstan - Atameken,
located in Astana, is the largest ethnographic park in
Kazakhstan and a unique outdoor museum. Cities and
landscapes of the country, as well as mini copies of main
attractions and historical sites can be found on the map.
Kazakh national cuisine
Hospitality has always been a main character trait of Kazakh people. Even if you have just a
minute to pop in to a Kazakh house, an owner will still ask you to sit down and offer a
fragrant tea with sweets. Respectful attitude to the guests contributed to the fact that
traditional Kazakh feast took a shape of a ceremony, noninferior, in its philosophical and
allegorical content, to world famous Chinese tea ceremony.
Hospitable owner would offer his guest a seat at a place of honor. Traditionally, meal is
served at a low round table, called dastarkhan. First and foremost, in order to quench thirst
of the guest a hostess would treat him with a bowl of yogurt drink. This can be "kumys" - a
drink based on fermented mare's milk - or shubat the main ingredient of which is camel milk.
Then, table will be filled with baursaks - balls of dough, pre-fried in boiling oil (Asian
analogue of donuts), samsa - triangular pastries with meat, kausyrma - a kind of thin
pastries or fried doughs filled with meat and onions, raisins, kurt (small, salted cheese balls)
and, of course, tea. Here, to be objective, we should say that tea never grew on the territory
of Kazakhstan, it was introduced to the Steppe of
Kazakhstan from the outside, but despite this, tea quickly
gained popularity among the local population. And today, in
fact, it is one of the main drinks in Kazakh society.
After a long-drawn tea ceremony, assortment of dishes on
the festive table will be complemented by meat dishes:
kazi, shuzhuk, zhal, zhaya, karta, kabyrga. The above
dishes are traditionally prepared from horse meat or lamb.
The main dish of Kazakh cuisine, with which owners
welcome their guests is besbarmak. Name of this dish is
translated from Kazakh as “five fingers” because of a
manner to eat the dish by hand. Besbarmak's main
ingredients are: meat (lamb or horse meat), pasta (it is cut
into small squares), as well as herbs (dill , parsley, cilantro,
etc.).
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The procedure of cutting meat cooked for besbarmak is a separate special ritual. Typically,
this mission is laid on the owner or a highly respected guest. According to traditions, each
part of meat has its own meaning and is served in a special way. Thus, meat from the pelvic
bone and tibia is given to senior honored guests. Son or daughter-law gets pruning from a
sternum. Cervical vertebra is usually served for unmarried girls. Sheep's head is cooked in a
special way and is served separately. The right to cut this element of besbarmak is usually
given to a guest of the highest rank.
According to the European classification, all these dishes belong to a group of second dishes
and snacks. As for traditional Kazakh first course, sorpa – rich broth completed by seasoned
vegetables, spices and herbs - occupies a special place. Sorpa, unlike other first courses, is
for drinking, so it is served in bowls. Tea ceremony completes the meal.
Interesting facts about Kazakh cuisine:
- Main ingredients in traditional Kazakh cuisine are meat, flour and milk products, though nowad
other ingredients are common in the cuisine.
- Kazakhs are believed to be among the top countries in tea consumption, almost every
meal is followed by tea in Kazakh families.
- Kazakh cuisine is usually not spicy.
- There are many high calorie dishes in the traditional Kazakh cuisine.
Where to go in Kazakhstan?
ALMATY: The Bridge between Asia and Europe
Almaty (Alma-ata) is largest city in Kazakhstan with a population of 1,421,868 (at 1st of
August 2010) with about 9% of the countries population located in one city, it is certainly a
hustling and bustling place to be. It also used
to be the former capital of the country, until
1997 when it moved to Astana.
The city is located in the heart of the Eurasian
continent, in the south-east of Kazakhstan, at
the foot of the Tien Shan mountains at an
elevation of 700 to 1100 meters above sea
level.
The climate of the city
continental,
with
large
-
is sharply
temperature
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fluctuations, not only in the year, but days.
The town is buried in the green - 10 000 hectares of its territory is occupied by parks, trees,
parks and gardens
Almaty is still the centre of commerce for Kazakhstan, with the stock exchange and largest
banks located there.
Almaty literally means 'city of apple trees', and,
because of its relatively mild climate, it has a wide
range of apple trees.
The Almaty area is said to be
the genetic home for many varieties of apples and the
area is often visited by researchers and scientists from
around the world, in order to learn more about the
complex systems of genetics, and also to discover the
true beginnings of the domestic apple. The Turkic
name for apple is Alma and Ata meaning forefather,
which could lay it open to be possibly the origin of the
Apple (The garden of Eden).
The city certainly has a spectacular beauty, whether or not it was the Garden of Eden, and is
located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau in the extreme southeast of Kazakhstan. The
backdrop of mountains against the taller buildings makes a dramatic and impressive sight and
was the center for the Asian Winter games in January 2011.
Places of interest in Almaty
Medeo
Medeo is the most high-mountainous sport complex in the world. This fabled palace fit into
the gorge panorama at an altitude of 1961metr above the sea level. The mild climate of the
natural boundary, an optimum level of the solar radiation, the lowered atmospheric pressure,
calm, pure mountain water from which prepare the skating rink ice, have provided an
excellent quality and have created fine conditions for achievement of high sports results. More
than 120 world records have been placed here.
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In recent years the functions of skating rink have considerably increased. Here pass
tournaments and competitions on football, volleyball, basketball, a short-track. On the Medeo
sport complex spend the gathering swimmers, athletes, fighters and boxers. Also near the
ice stadium there is a swimming pool, restaurants and cafes.
At the mention of Kazakhstan in consciousness of people there are some images, among
which is a high-mountainous skating rink Medeo. And it is not casual, the skating rink has an
worldwide fame
"Shymbulak" skiing resort
"Shymbulak" skiing resort is located in a picturesque clove of Ile Alatau at the height of 2510
meters. It is a famous for its mild climate with the majority of sunny days, stable snow
coverage and the magnificent surrounding views. Snow cover on Shymbulak keeps from
December to April. Here feels confidently even that, who first time got up on skiing. Slopes
and trails are for any taste and for any level of skill, including routes of speedy slope and
slalom, convenient lifts, ski school, hotel, restaurant, bowling alley, sauna. Also near by is a
children’s
playground
with
the
baby-lift
for
the
smallest
ones.
Shymbulak has its own spirit. It is preferred by skiers liking smoothed routes and
snowboarders, preferring extreme lowering with jumps and which grasps the spirit.
In sunny days Shymbulak gathers thousands of holidaymakers. On the chair lift you can
get on Talgar Pass (3163 meters above the sea level). Here climb Skiers-professionals, the
cross slope is too steep. Alpinists start climbing from the pass to the tops. And above - only
stars.
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The Zenkov’s Cathedral in Almaty
This orthodox cathedral is deservingly considered
the most interesting architectural monument in
Almaty. The wooden building, towering at a height
of 56 meters, was constructed in the beginning of
XXth century. Built under the guidance of engineer
Andre Zenkov, without the use of a single nail, it
was one of the few pre-Soviet buildings to survive
the earthquakes of 1910 with nothing more than a
bent spire.The cathedral has six spires made of iron,
and its internal fresco was created by the artist,
Nikolay Khlydov. The cathedral is in the centre of
Panfilov Park, named after the 28th Panfilov
Battalion.
Museums in Almaty
1. The central State museum of Kazakhstan is one of the oldest and largest museum of
the Central Asia.
The exposition of the museum placed in four exposition halls (a paleontology and
archeology hall; anthropology and ethnography of Kazakhstan; Ethnography of the people of
Kazakhstan, the Great Patriotic War; Sovereign Kazakhstan) reflects history of the country
since the most ancient times up to now. Also thematic exhibitions, festivals, meetings,
museum lessons are regularly held here.
2. The State Art Museum named after A. Kasteev - Nowadays the museum collection has
more than 22 000 first-class exhibits that make up the country's national heritage. The pearls
of national and world culture are represented in 14 halls of the museum. As a result of
systematic work activity, collection of Kazakhstan graphic and an applied art products are
different with its fullness and variety.
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The subjects of folk applied arts, reflect all areas of Kazakhs life over a long period. All kinds
of art craft are marked by high art taste and skill - weaving, embroidery, felt products,
woodcarving, horse equipment, arts of zerger.
In the halls of the fine arts of Kazakhstan, you can
trace the history of formation and development of
easel art. Art School of Kazakhstan presents the
names of known masters of different generations: A.
Kasteev, I. Ismailov, A. Cherkassky, L.Leont'ev,
Telzhanov K., A. Galimbaeva, S. Mambeev, H.
Naurzbaev, A. Aytbaev., A. Sadyhanov, E. Mergenov,
T. Togusbaev and etc.
A rich collection of the union painters works includes masterpieces of P. Filonov, P. Kuznetsov,
K Redko, O. Rozanova, S. Sarian, U. Tansyebaev, S. Konenkov, M. Aslamazian, G. Aitiev and
etc.
Beautiful paintings, which lays in the halls of Russian art, mirror the history of Russian art
from XVIII to XX centuries. It was traced in the works of F. Rokotov, D. Levitsky, C. Brullov,
I. Repin, I. Kramskoy.
Western-europian art collection includes original master`s work of art of XVI - XIX centuries
of 4 major schools: the Italian, Dutch, Flemish and French - Kambiazo, Savereya, Dyuge,
Ostade, Koro, Dobin, Gudona, Kuazevo.
The exhibition of East art represents the art of India, China, Japan, Korea, and also Dungan,
Uighur, Tibetan, the most important species - bronze, wood and stone, lacquer products,
embroidery, porcelain, ceramics.
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Nowadays the State Museum of Fine Arts named after A. Kasteev is making restoration and
scientifically-exploring work. It becomes the centre of gravity of new cultural initiatives. Broad
contacts allow organizing personal exhibitions of Kazakhstan masters works, and also artists
of near and far abroad, an exhibition of private collections causing huge interest of fine arts
fans.
Esentai Mall
Esentai Mall was designed and built to offer a
special international atmosphere and conditions
for shopping and entertainment for residents and
visitors to Almaty.
The shopping center’s six floors meet all the
requirements of the modern consumer, from a
customer dropping in during a lunch break to
demanding
regular
customers, and
offer a wide variety of goods and services. There are
luxury goods from internationally renowned designers and
brands in the medium price range, food products from a
delicatessen, home appliances, entertainment and a fitness
center. Every visitor to Esentai Mall will find what they’re
looking for.
Green Bazaar
The Green Bazaar, or Zelionyj Bazar, is a place you really should visit when visiting Almaty or
Alma-Ata. This market is central to the every day life of the local people and it is so called
the ‘Green Bazar, or market, bcause in the past it was the traditional place to buy and sell
local produce like vegetables. It is by no means the only market in Almaty, but it is the most
well known, and probably, sells the widest range of goods. This is a great place to feel the
real atmosphere of central Asia and to get involved with a bit of ‘haggling’ and sampling of
local produce.
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Burabay (Borovoe) National Nature Park
In the north of Akmola region the SNNP "Burabay" is
located. This resort pearl of Kazakhstan is a fantastic
mountain land harboring mysterious wonders.
Gorgeous pine forests, cliffs formed of neat gigantic
natural bricks, and fantastical shapes of peaks
resembling sometimes exotic, sometimes Egyptian
pointed pyramids separated by serene lakes. The
SNNP "Burabay" was established in August, 2000 and
it is under the supervision of the Administration of
Presidential Affairs. The territory of SNNP "Burabai" is a
part of the Kokshetau steppe, a mixed steppe and
forest and hilly upland. The climate is extreme
continental here, with hot summers and severe winters. The topography of the territory consists
of lowlands, hills and plains.
Although Burabay Park does not have any artifacts on its territory, every rock here has its
own legend.
Nature has generously scattered precious gifts from its mineral treasury around the Burabay
area. Among them is Okzhetpes cliff ("Inaccessible even to Arrows") with a peak resembling
an elephant calf, and the creek of the Bun with Zhumbaktas cliff ("Riddle-stone")
resembling a mysterious sphinx with severe fearless features.
There are 14 lakes on the territory of the park, each of which has an area of more than 1 km,
and there are a great many smaller lakes. The river network is sparse and consists only of
small rivers, springs and temporary channels. The largest lakes are Bolshoye Chebachye
and Maloye Chebachye, Shchuchye and Borovoye.
Plant life on park territory is represented by forest, steppe, meadow, marsh and salt marsh
species. The flora comprises about 800 species. There are 305 vertebrate animal species.
On the territory of SNNP "Burabay" are 35 permanent recreation facilities. The current
landscape of the park is represented by steppe, lake, forest and forest and steppe and
lowlands.
Borovoye (Burabay) Lake is situated in the territory of the Shuchinsky district of
Kokshetau oblast in the eastern foothills of Kokshe Mountain. Its territory is 10.5 sq. km,
length is 4.5 km, width is 3.9 km; average depth is 4.5 m, and maximum depth is 7 m. The
shore line is 13.6 km and water area is 164 sq. km. The bowl of the lake is almost round, and
its bottom level; the southern shores are rocky, and the eastern shores are sandy. The water
in the lake is soft and still, and one can see to the deepest bottom of the lake. Borovoye Lake
is separated by mountain ranges from the closest lakes (Big and Small Chebiache, Shuche,
Kotyrkol, Zhukei, etc.). The island "Zhumbaktas" is situated in the northwestern part of the
lake at a height of 20 m above the water. The cliffs and capes of the northwestern and
southern coasts (Kyzyltas, Gorky, etc.) create a unique landscape. The shores are overgrown
with
pine
and
birch
forests.
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The combination of mountains,
pine forests and lakes creates
special climate conditions in the
natural
boundary.
Medicinal
health
resort
complexes
(sanatoriums "Borovoye" and
"Okzhetpes"; rest house "Blue
Gulf", etc.) are some of the best
in the country and built on the
eastern
coast
between
the
Sarybulak and Gromotukha
rivers. There are medicinal mud
and mineral springs. The
beauty of the nature of Borovoye
is proclaimed in Seifulin's poem "Kokshetau" and in Mukanov's novel "Botagoz".
The legend of Borovoye
There are many legends and stories about Borovoye. "When God was creating the world, one
of the nations received the lands rich of forests, another got fertile fields with large rivers,
and the third got the beautiful mountains and blue lakes. But the Kazakh ended up with only
feather-grass steppe... This offended him and he asked God to endow him with some natural
beauty. God took the mountains, rocks, beautiful pine and deciduous forests, blue lakes with
pure water, and emerald fields covered with grasses and flowers from his korzhyn and spread
them with a bountiful hand into the boundless steppes. It was the appearance of Borovoye; of
one of the most picturesque places in Kazakhstan, which for its beauty and rare harmonic
combination of mountains, forests, lakes, and unique flora and fauna received the poetic
name "The pearl of Kazakhstan".
Borovoye is also the name of a health resort, which is situated in the Shuchinsky district of
Kokshetau Region, 20 km from the station of Borovoye Resort
(in the town of Shuchinsk). Average temperature in January is 16'C, in July is +19'C. The main medicinal remedies here are
fresh air and picturesque views.
There are many hotels and villas, health-resort centers, casnos
and restaurants in Burabay region. Also there can be find many
places of interest museums of national art and culture, horse
riding tours.
Turkestan
1500 year old Turkestan became famous, thanks to the
preaching of the most famous Sufi Sheikh, the outstanding poet
and humanitarian Khodja Akhmed Yassaui, also called KhazretSultan. At that time the city was known as Yassy.
In the late 14th c. Turkestan acquired a unique structure - a
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large
complex
centered
around
the
Mausoleum of Khodja Akhmed Yassaui, built
by the Great Timurlane. In the Muslim
World, Khodja Akhmed Yassaui Mausoleum is
considered to be a "second Mecca".
The height of the huge building, which has
witnessed many historical disasters and was
opened recently after a restoration, is about
40 meters. The mausoleum is a marvelous
complex of palaces and temples. It has over
30 rooms and halls; diameter of the main
dome is 22 m. Its elegant decoration,
patterned ceiling arches, and color mosaic
majolica look stunning. In its central hall, the covered residence of the Kazakh Khans, has
been opened a peculiar museum - the pantheon. The pearl of its exposition is the Kazan, the
biggest cast water vessel throughout the Muslim East. It was made of the alloys of seven
metals.
The Azret-Sultan historical and cultural reserve includes Turkestan and Kultobe cities, a
necropolis, mausoleums (15th-17th cc.), Dzhuma mosque (19th c.), restored Big Hilvet (12th
с.), chilakhana (room for rituals and prayers) (14th c.), bath-house (17th-19th cc.) and a
fragment of the original citadel wall (19th c.) with gates (18th-19th cc.)
Out of the 802 historical and cultural memorials of South Kazakhstan region, 528 are
monuments of archaeology, 42 historical monuments, and 226 architectural monuments.
Alakol Lake
This lake is the second-largest inland bodies of Kazakhstan and the only deep-lake among the
lakes in the republic. More than 15 tributaries flow into the lake, the main of them: Urzhar,
Katynsu, Emelkuysa, Yrgayty, Zhamanty, Zhamanotkol,
Tasty. The lake together with other smaller lakes form
Alakol lake system. Lake area (including islands), 2,696
km2, the water volume 58.56 cu. km length of 104 km,
width 52 km, average depth of 22 m, maximum depth of
54 m, the length of the coastline of 348 km.
Modern medical research confirms the healing qualities of
the
lake
water.
Net steppe air, salt water, hot volcanic pebbles, with a
high content of silicon - a unique combination of gifts of
Nature provides a powerful restorative and preventive
effect on skin problems, joint pain, women's and men's issues, at a reduced immunity of
children and adults.
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The water is very warm in summer (average summer temperature is 26 degrees).
Mineralization of water in waters ranging from 1.2 to 11.6 g / liter. Sodium chloride and
chloride-sulphate-sodium composite the water. There is a high content of fluorine and
bromine in the waters of Alakol Lake.
There is an Aarchipelago of three islands is in the central part of the lake, in 1998 Alakol
State Reserve was created, which has unique diverse flora and fauna. More than hundred
thousand
people
rest
on
the
shores
of
the
lake
every
year.
There are more than 60 rest houses and recreation centers operate on the shores of Alakol
lake currently, they are: “Aigerim”, “Dorozhnik”, “Alakol”, “Asem”, sanatorium"Barlyk Arasan"
and etc.
Largest cities of Kazakhstan
ASTANA: Capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan
1832 - Date of foundation
Before 1961 – City of Akmolinsk
1961 - 1992 – City of Tselinograd
1993 - 1998 – City of Akmola
20.10.1997 After the edict by the President of RK the city of Akmola is declared Capital of the
Republic of Kazakhstan
06.05.1998 Akmola is renamed by the decree of the President of RK into the city of Astana
Population: The 2014 census reported a population of 835,153 within the city, making it the
second-largest city in Kazakhstan.
Climate: sharply continental: moderately hot summer and long-lasting frosty winter.
Geographic position: 510 10’ of North latitude and 710 30’ of East longitude.
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Local time: Astana is in Time Zone 5. Local time in relation to the zero meridian is GMT
+06.00
At present the capital of the country carries out trading with 121 countries around the world,
including capitals with which twin-town relationships are maintained: Moscow, Minsk,
Kishinev, Kiev, Kazan, Seoul, Riga, Warsaw, Budapest, Baku, Cairo, Bangkok, Berlin, Vilnius,
Ankara, Ushak, Tashkent, Beijing, etc.
It was once said that “the West is the West, the East is the East and they will never be
together”. In Kazakhstan there is a city which disproves this saying that seemed irrefutable.
The world’s best architects built Astana
The architectural concept of the city was based on President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s idea that
the city should have a Eurasian outlook.
The author of the general plan of Astana was the famous Japanese architect, Kisho Kurokawa,
who designed the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, the International Airport of Kuala
Lumpur and the national ethnological museum in Osaka.
The architectural ensembles created in accordance with Kurokawa’s general design combine
modern design and oriental flavor. This makes the city unique. The beauty and the height of
buildings in the city are comparable with Tokyo, New York and Dubai. Norman Foster
designed and built Astana’s unique House of World’s Religions, the Palace of Peace. The
architect’s team also built the capital’s new entertainment center, the “Khan Shatyr”.
The city’s appearance changes fast as it continues its dynamic development. The city also
looks different at night, with beautifully illuminated buildings, street lights, garlands, colorful
fountains on the River Ishim, nightlights along the bank, bright shop windows, bars and
nightclubs.
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Places of interest in Astana
Astana’s architecture combines oriental traditions and audacious ideas of leading western
architects in a harmonious yet daring way. The general plan of the city was developed by the
famous Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, the design of the unique Palace of Peace and
Concord and the “Khan Shatyr” entertainment center belong to British architect Norman
Foster and the cinema and concert hall were designed by Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti.
The city’s main square is delimited by the complex of buildings made up of the Senate, the
Parliament, the President’s Residence and other government buildings. Around this square
more than 650 buildings are under construction, including residential and public complexes.
The Palace of Peace and Concord is a unique pyramid built for centuries to come by the
famous British architect Norman Foster in 2006. The pyramid is 62 meters high and was built
on a 15 meter rise covering a total area of 25.5 thousand square meters. In its basement the
pyramid houses an opera hall seating 1500 and in the upper part, the confessions hall. The
building includes rooms for religious events, meetings of the Assembly of Kazakhstan’s
Peoples, museums, and an exhibition hall.
Khan Shatyr
The “Khan Shatyr” trade and
entertainment center is located
at the opposite end of the axis
from the Palace of Peace and
Concord. The complex is almost
200 meters high, making it the
city’s highest building. Built to
resemble a huge tent, its
structure is made of a fine net
covered with polymeric fluorine
ETFE, a unique material which
lets the light through and
protects the inside from heat and
cold. Inside, its 100 000 square
meters are occupied by a vast
city park, shops, movie theaters,
cafes and a concert platform, where Astana residents can enjoy their free time regardless of
the season or weather.
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Bayterek – the Tree of Life in the center of Eurasia
Bayterek is the capital’s symbol and business
card. Bayterek tower sits in the very middle of
the capital’s new administrative center .
Everything in this monument is symbolic: the
golden sun on the top of the tree, its height of
97 meters, the internal architecture divided into
three zones which represent the three
fundamental universal principles. This “poplar”
(in Kazakh – bayterek), made of metal, glass
and concrete, is architecturally unique and
grandiose in appearance. It is a metal structure
of 105 meters tall, 1000 tons heavy, built on
five hundred poles. It is the first time that a 22
meter diameter and 300 ton sphere of
“chameleon” glass, which changes color with
the sunlight, is suspended at such a record-breaking height. Dominating the new capital, it is
an architectural symbol of renewal, the symbol of Astana, the symbol of Kazakhstan.
Aq-Orda
Aq-Orda is the residence of the President of
the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is located on
the River Ishim’s left bank , three hundred
meters from the Bayterek monument. The
building covers an area of 36 720 square
meters. The official inauguration of the new
Palace of the President of the Republic of
Kazakhstan took place on 24 December
2004. Next to the residence are the
Parliament, the House of the Government,
the Supreme Court and the House of
Ministries of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Green and Water Boulevard
Along the main axis of Astana’s administrative center is a pedestrian bridge, better as the
“Green and Water Boulevard”, brainchild of Kurokawa, the author of Astana’s general plan.
The Bridge is the one of the main features of the capital’s center. The architects’ plans
connect it to all the surrounding buildings. Designed it on three levels, it rationalizes the use
of urban space as costs increase with the city’s development. The lower level provides parking
for 400 cars. The second level of this grandiose construction is a passage, a large gallery lined
with exhibition halls, stores and offices. The third level is a pedestrian street with lawns and
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small trees, small architectural objects and fountains. This pedestrian bridge is notable for its
six zones known as “the Green House”.
Transparent conical domes let the sunlight through the building from top to bottom. In these
atriums, conveniently connected with stairs, there are artificial gardens, and on the second
level the whole construction is joined to the surrounding buildings by roofed galleries.
The Duman Entertainment Center
Located on the river’s
left bank, the Duman
entertainment
center
hosts
a
unique
oceanarium,
a
small
piece of the ocean in the
vast steppe. It also
houses a 3D movie
theater, jungles, bowling
alleys, a casino, a multifunctional hall, a hotel,
cafes, shops and a
children’s playground.
Duman is a popular place for adults and children. Visitors enjoy the watching the sharks being
fed through the large glass panes of the aquarium.
Unique Stadium Astana
A new stadium was built to mark the capital’s anniversary. It complies with all FIFA and UEFA
requirements. The stadium covers an area of 232 485 square meters and seats 30 000
people. The stadium roof has two components, one mobile and one immobile, which function
independently of each other so as to protect the stadium ground from Astana’s harsh climatic
conditions.
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Alau Ice palace
"Alau" is an ice palace of world rank,
equipped with ultramodern facilities,
allowing the creation of "fast ice".
Thanks to a unique architecture and
location, "Alau" is rightly regarded as a
sightseeing attraction and the sport
gates of the capital.
The heart of the Palace is the ice
arena, which consists of a 400 meter
ice track with stands for 8000
spectators, two ice hockey courts, a
jury room, a room for press conferences and eight changing rooms for athletes.
The Palace is intended for hosting training and competitions in these sports:
•
Speed skating
•
Short track
•
Ice hockey
•
Curling
•
Figure skating
Combining the modernity of the equipment and the uniqueness of the architectural project,
the staff of IP “Alau” set a goal of entering the ranks of the best flatland rinks of the world.
During the 7th Asian Winter Games 9 continental records were set on the Palace ice.”Alau”
not only set a status as a forge for Kazakhstani records, but also took 6th place (out of
641possible places) in world rating of speed skating stadiums.
The Ice Palace holds major international competitions and training lessons. “Alau” trains
students of Youth Sports Schools in speed skating, figure skating and ice hockey. After
hosting the second phase of the ISU World Cup in speed skating, the champion’s ice will be
available to amateurs – during days of mass skating, any person wishing to skate can do so,
for a symbolic price. This is the concept of mass accessibility, the task of which is to promote
and popularize winter sports and contribute to the development of mass sports in Astana.
Ice Palace "Alau" is a multifunctional sports center, providing integrated services for athletes
and amateurs alike.
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The Circus
A huge flying saucer sits on the left bank of
the Ishim River. It was made, just as a
UFO should be, of super-modern materials
with
the
help
of
super-modern
technologies. The flying object did not
remain unidentified for long: on the day of
Kazakhstan’s independence, it was given a
name, a status and its first fans. And
Astana gained a circus. Citizens fell in love
with the flying saucer, and so it stays here
forever.
Nur-Astana Central Mosque and Beit Rachel – Chabbad Lubavitch Synagogue
The principles of tolerance, human and religious cooperation, and unconditional respect for
freedom of conscience and belief, typical of Kazakhstan, are reflected in two uniquely
designed religious buildings which decorate the capital’s left bank: the Nur-Astana Central
Mosque and the Central Synagogue.
The mosque is surprising yet harmonious. Oriental elegance is cleverly woven into refined
glass, concrete, steel, and granite designs. The size of the mosque matches the scale of other
buildings on the left bank: almost four thousand square meters, with a capacity to host up to
five thousand believers and another two
thousand on the square in front of the
mosque.
On the 21st of Elul of 5764 (7 September
2004) a new star was born in the Astana
sky – the Star of David. At a height of
twenty five meters, this star decorates
the capital’s new synagogue, the biggest
in Kazakhstan and indeed in Central Asia.
It covers an area of 5600 square meters
and sits on the bank of the River Akbulak
between the Eurasian University and a
beautiful residential complex. Students of
the Eurasian University, loving couples
strolling down the river, yachtsmen sailing
down the Rowboat Channel, all can
admire the harmony of this blue and
white building and its blue dome.
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The Museum of the First President of the
Republic of Kazakhstan
The museum is located in the former Residence
of the Head of the State, N. Nazarbayev.
Unique furniture and interiors have been kept
intact. The museum’s collection contains gifts,
books and paintings presented to the President.
Currently, the museum holds more than 60
thousand objects, among which manuscripts
and printed materials, movies, photos,
personal belongings, documents and all the
First President’s decorations. The museum’s treasure reflects the major steps in the
development of sovereign Kazakhstan and sheds light on the President’s life and work.
The Museum of Modern Art
The museum’s collection counts over three
thousand works of art from Kazakhstan, Russia
and CIS countries. It was created as a result of
substantial research and a deep interest in the
cultural values reflected in paintings and
drawings. The museum harbours unique works
by artists from Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine,
Belarus, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia,
Lithuania,
Estonia,
Tajikistan
and
other
countries. The museum’s objects reflect all
artistic genres and techniques as well as varied
themes.
Astana
EXPO-2017
is
one
of
Kazakhstan's key projects to position
itself as a world hub on sustainable
energy.
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Expo 2017: "Energy of the Future"
Date: 10-JUN-17 to 10-SEP-17
International exhibition "Expo 2017: "Energy of the Future"
In the course of the bidding, the representatives of the member-countries of the Bureau of
International Expositions decided to chose Astana as the capital of International Specialized
exhibition "Expo 2017". In the final held in several stages, the Kazakhstan capital won the
absolute majority (103 from 161), leaving behind its main rival Belgian city Liege.
The forthcoming exhibition held under the motto "Future Energy" will highlight one of the vital
subjects, the world community concerns about – alternative energy sources. The forthcoming
exhibition theme, in the best way possible, is embodied in the bright and laconic logotype
"Expo 2017": the petals, asymmetrically located in a circle, symbolizing energy and perpetual
motion.
Over the period of three moths (from 10 June to 10 September 2017) the "Expo 2017" will
receive about 100 member-countries and 10 international organizations. During the World’s
Specialized Exhibition 2017, the member-countries will demonstrate the achievements and
prospects for utilization of renewable energy sources and such advantages as ecological
cleanness, low operating cost and safety to the environment. The "Expo 2017" will become a
milestone event for Kazakhstan: no international exhibition of such level has been held in the
Central Asian region and CIS countries before.
The "Expo 2017" is a major stride to establishment of Kazakhstan as an international
exhibition, information and presentation floor.
Astana is another wonder of the world!