Kazakhstan is a country that imbues a sense of the exotic from ancient civilisations. Conjuring images of the Silk Road and Nomadic tribesmen, this Central Asia country is bursting with diverse cultural heritage.
Today, Kazakhstan is more than miles of desert scrub. Modern cities fuse futuristic architecture with legacy buildings, each giving a glimpse of the country that Kazakhstan was and is becoming.
Nur Sultan is the capital, renamed from Astana in 2019 to honour the departing Kazakh president, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Nur Sultan is a city of juxtapositions with its architecture, creating a gleaming city that is visually impressive with many monuments and museums dedicated to the fascinating history of the country. These include The Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation and Bayterek Monument.
Trendy cafes, evening nightspots and international restaurants create a vibrant atmosphere along with the incredible tent-like Khan Shatyr shopping mall with more than 200 shops, restaurants and a cinema, designed by Norman Foster architects.
Almaty is a cosmopolitan city located in the mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan. The commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan, there is no shortage of things to see and do. City tours take in beautiful sights such as the Zenkov Cathedral and Panfilov Park. Kok Tobe Hill is a lovely spot high above the city. Reached via funicular, here you can watch the sunset over the cityscape. As well as the restaurants and bars, you can indulge in authentic Kazakh cuisine by stopping by the Green Bazaar. This central market in Almaty is bursting with fresh vegetables and fruit. You can try local delicacies or buy fragrant spices to recreate authentic recipes at home. During the winter months, you can head to the mountains. Here you can look forward to 44 kilometres of slopes, where 17 ski lifts serve the ski resorts.
Shymkent was founded in the twelfth century as a caravanserai to protect a nearby Silk Road trade town. Today the main city has bustling bazaars and a lively downtown. There are parks and museums, including Independence Park and Central Park and the small but fascinating Museum of Victims of Political Repression. The Koshkar Ata river starts in Shymkent. For locals, this is a spiritual place, and the waters are believed to have healing properties. Across the river, you will find a quiet, village-like area of wooden houses with a reminder of old Shymkent.
Travel into the countryside, and you will find tulips stretching across the steppe and clear blue lakes in the mountains. Lake Borovoe has a distinctly alpine feel and offers visitors a wealth of activities in spectacular natural surroundings. During the summer months, you can hike amongst the lush green meadows and enjoy watersports on the crystal clear lake. Lake Borove is an outdoor paradise for active families. During the winter months, the varied terrain allows for winter sports, skiing and snowshoeing. Visitors flock here for the clean air, picturesque views and the unique rock formations.
