Map of Astana, Capital of Kazakhstan

About City :

Astana became the youngest capital city of the world when it replaced Almaty as the capital of Kazakhstan in 1998 because of its developed infrastructure, strategic location and availability of land for further development. It is the country’s economic, political as well as cultural center and has a population of over 700,000. The city’s architecture is a balanced blend of the traditional east and the wilder west.

Formerly known as Akmolinsk then Akmola and subsequently Tselinograd, it was renamed as Astana, literally meaning ‘capital’ in 1998 itself. The city was founded by Siberians in 1824 and later became a primary railway junction. The country received its independence in 1991 after breaking away from the Soviet Union. In the year 1999, Astana was awarded the ‘World City’ Prize by the UNESCO. Kazakh and Russian are the prevalent languages here.

Geography :

Astana is located right in the heart of Kazakhstan on the banks of the Ishim River. It has an elevation of 347 m and spreads over 722 sq km. It is mostly arid, almost desert like, similar to the rest of the country. The city is divided into 3 districts, namely, Almaty, Yesil and Saryarka.

How to Reach (Transport) :

Astana is accessible via the Astana International Airport which is located at a distance of about 17km from the city. It is served by a volley of airlines including Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Belavia, Austrian Airways and Air Arabia which connect the city to some major cities like Moscow, Bangkok, Istanbul, Vienna, Amsterdam and London. Air Astana is the major airline company and the flag carrier of the country and operates most of the domestic flights along with some of the international flights as well. To reach the city, one can avail of the bus and taxi services available from the airport itself.

Astana is also connected to cities like Almaty, Moscow, Shymkent and Omsk via trains. Cities of Karaganda, Pavlodar and Kokshetau also operate buses to and from Astana.

Inside the city, one can avail of taxis and public buses. Taxis hailed down on the streets are almost half as cheap as official taxis although they might not be a safe option for the solitary visitor.

When to Visit :

Being one of the coldest capitals of the world, second only to the capital of Mongolia, the city features very harsh winters. Having a humid continental climate which almost borders on a semi arid climate, Astana has very warm and humid summers. The best time to visit is spring months of April and May when it is are yet not too hot or humid. The months between September and November are also a good time to visit when the weather is relatively dry and pleasant.

Fairs and Festivals :

The major festivals of Astana are as listed below :

• International Astana Action Film Festival, celebrated in July, is the only film festival which concentrates solely on action movies. It began in 2010 and has been steadily gaining popularity ever since. Founded by Timur Bekmambetov, this festivals acts primarily as an opportunity for young filmmakers to present their talent and creativity.
• Shattyk, celebrated in July, is an international music festival covering over 350 artists of ages 5 to 18 from all over the country and abroad.
• Astana Day, celebrated on 18th July, commemorates the birth of this dynamic city. Celebrations include an international circus festival, fireworks display, a fair, etc.

Other festivals include Astana International Contest of Kazakh Song and Navroz Festival.

Points of Interest (Places to Visit) :

• Bayterek, the most famous monument of the city, stands at a height of 105 m in the shape of a narrow cylinder, on which a gold-mirrored sphere of a 22m-diameter is supported. It is a representation of the mythical tale about the tree of life. The cylinder represents the mythical poplar tree and the sphere is symbolic of the golden egg laid by the magical bird named Samruk.
• Khan Shatyr, 150 m in height, is a transparent tent which has an elliptical base of 200 m covering several stadiums, parks and even a beach resort. It is the world’s largest tent and has its own monorail.
• Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, also called the Pyramid of Peace, is a 62 m high pyramid atop a 15 m high block of earth. It hosts a summit involving all religious groups of the world every couple of years and offers an amazing view of the city as well.
• Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, previously the government’s seat, stands at the north of River Ishim. It presents stunning displays which narrate the poignant tale of the country’s struggle for independence.

Other important places to visit are Palace of Independence, Shabyt Palace, Duman and the President’s Museum of Kazakhstan.

Accommodation :

Most hotels in Astana are expensive although there are some which are relatively cheap. While Radisson Hotel, Rixos President Astana Hotel and Okan InterContinental Hotel are luxury hotels which offer everything from a sauna, conference room, restaurants to even heated tiled floors (Rixos). Slightly cheaper are Bayan Sulu Hotel and Hotel Gran Park Esil which are equipped with comfortable rooms, free wireless internet and swimming pools.

The cheapest option for accommodation is the Apple Hostel, a new youth hostel which is cozy and comfortable as well as light on the pocket. Other popular options include Hotel Diplomat, Vintage Boutique Hotel, Oasis Inn and Jumbaktas.