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Nurzhol Boulevard is a modern street of splendor, which with all its facilities and construction on and along it constitutes one of the greatest sights in Kazakhstan. The boulevard was laid out as a long pedestrian zone with countless green facilities, parks, fountains and spectacular constructions that make a walk along the boulevard a great experience.
The boulevard’s overall design was drawn up by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, with the country’s presidential palace at the eastern end and the Khan Shatyr shopping and entertainment center to the west. As the central element, you can see the modern observation tower Baiterek, which has also become a landmark of Astana.
Part of the boulevard was built as a three-level structure, with parking spaces on the lower level. On the middle second level there are shops, eateries, etc., while on the upper level you will find the pedestrian street and all its flower beds, lawns, trees, benches, etc.
Baiterek is a 105 meter high tower that stands as a monument, observation tower and as a landmark of Astana. The tower was designed by Akmurza Rustembekov, and it consists of a cylindrical inner tower with branch-like girders on the outside, which virtually support the tower’s golden ball at the top, which has a diameter of 22 meters.
Baiterek was built from 1997 and it was completed in 2002. Since then it has stood as a symbol of modern Kazakhstan and you can visit the tower. In the sphere there is a panoramic deck at a height of 97 meters, from which there is a beautiful view of the area and places such as the magnificent street Nurzhol Boulevard.
Kazakh Eli Monument is a magnificent monument that stands at the eastern end of the modern city axis, which starts from the shopping and entertainment center Khan Shatyr in the west, and which, after crossing the Ishim River, ends at the large square on which the Kazakh Eli Monument stands.
The central part of the monument is a white marble column with a height of 91 meters, which symbolizes the independence of Kazakhstan in 1991. On top stands a gilded fable bird called Samruk, which guards the peace of the country. Behind the monument is a 120 meter long colonnade, and behind this you can see the sculpture group called Enhed/Bolashak.
At the foot of the marble column you can also see sculptural decorations in the form of four reliefs. The most important of them is called People and the President/Халык вы Президенти and shows President Nursultan Naserbayev taking his oath on the Constitution of Kazakhstan when he became the country’s president.
The relief Heroic/Qaharmandik shows the historical protection of the fatherland as a sacred duty for the country’s sons. The relief Kreativitet/Žasampazdyk depicts the road from nomadic times to today with, among other things, technological developments. The fourth relief is called Bolashak/Bolashak and shows the path of Kazakh youth towards the future in culture, sports and science.
The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a museum where you can learn more about many aspects of Kazakhstan’s history and development. There are countless exciting effects in the museum’s exhibitions that depict cultural history from prehistory to the present day.
The museum building was opened in 2014 as the largest museum in Central Asia. It is divided into different halls, where you can explore themes such as Astana, Kazakhstan’s independence, ethnography, modern art and, of course, the country’s ancient history.
The Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a museum that conveys the history of the road to Kazakhstan’s independence and the role that Nursultan Nsaerbayev, as the first president, played in the construction and development of independent Kazakhstan.
In the years 2001-2004, the museum was located in the southern metropolis of Almaty, but it was moved to its current location after the construction of Akorda as the new presidential palace in the capital. When the president moved to Akorda, from 1996-1997 the old palace was set up as this museum.
Omsk is one of Siberia’s major cities, and after Novosibirsk it is the largest city east of the Urals. The city is strategically located as an important station on the Trans-Siberian Railway and for transport along the river Irtysh. Omsk is also located at the mouth of the smaller river Om in the Irtysh river.
The city was founded in 1716 by Cossacks under the leadership of Ivan Buchholz. It was established as a defense of Russia’s expanding border to the east, and Omsk became the administrative center of Western Siberia. During the Russian Civil War of 1918-1920, the city was for a time the capital of the anti-communist struggle, and the gold reserves of the Russian Empire were kept here.
Astana is the capital and the second largest city in Kazakhstan. The prehistory of the modern city started with various settlements along part of the Silk Road, while Astana itself only arose in the 1800s. It was Siberian Cossacks who founded the settlement of Akmola as an administrative town in 1830. Two years later, Akmola obtained formal status as a town, and on that occasion it changed its name to Akmolinsk.
In 1838 the fort in the town was burnt down during a rebellion, but it was quickly rebuilt. As early as 1879, it was proposed to build a railway from Russian Tyumen to the strategically well-located Akmola, which at that time was home to a few thousand inhabitants. It was a number that rose to around 7,000 in the 1890s.
Akmolinsk became part of the Soviet Union, and during World War II, the city was a hub for traffic to and from many of the industries that had been evacuated to, e.g. Kazakhstan to avoid the war in Europe. After the war, Akmolinsk had a good economy, and the city received a number of deported Russians of German descent.
In 1953, Nikita Khrushchev launched his large-scale plan to create new agricultural areas in the Soviet Union, and northern Kazakhstan was part of the plan. Akmolinsk was made the provincial capital and a central city in the plan, and to reflect that, the city’s name was changed to Tselinograd in 1961. In the 1960s, Tselinograd was significantly changed with the construction of new and high-rise residential blocks, large public institution buildings, sports arenas, an airport, etc. Tselinograd became a big city.
With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the city was again called Akmola. In 1997, Akmola was chosen as Kazakhstan’s new capital, replacing Almaty, and the following year it changed its name to Astana. The city continued to grow, and new buildings were built, such as the landmark Baiterek. In 2019, the city changed its name again. This time to Nur-Sultan after the long-time president Nursultan Nazerbeyev, but in 2022 it was again named Astana.
Baiterek, Astana, Kazakhstan
Overview of Astana
Astana is the capital and the second largest city in Kazakhstan. The prehistory of the modern city started with various settlements along part of the Silk Road, while Astana itself only arose in the 1800s. It was Siberian Cossacks who founded the settlement of Akmola as an administrative town in 1830. Two years later, Akmola obtained formal status as a town, and on that occasion it changed its name to Akmolinsk.
In 1838 the fort in the town was burnt down during a rebellion, but it was quickly rebuilt. As early as 1879, it was proposed to build a railway from Russian Tyumen to the strategically well-located Akmola, which at that time was home to a few thousand inhabitants. It was a number that rose to around 7,000 in the 1890s.
About the Whitehorse travel guide
Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
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Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English
About the travel guide
The Whitehorse travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Canadian city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
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The Monument to Kerej and Janibek is a monument dedicated to the founders of the Kazakh Khanate, Kerej and Janibek. The monument stands on the central square in the old part of the capital and thus the center of Astana on a square in front of the Museum of the First President.
The monument traces back to events in the 15th century, when the Kazakh Khanate was created in 1465-1466 under the banners of Kerej and Janibek. The existing states of Abulkhair and Mogulistan were in decline, and Kerej and Janibek took advantage of this. The sculpture of the two khans symbolizes the triumph of freedom, the birth of a new khanate and the beginning of a new life.
Maksim Gorky Russian Drama Theater is the classic and old theater scene in Astana. Although the capital is quite young, the drama theater was already established in the city in 1899, and for over a hundred years it has been one of the region’s leading theatres.
At the beautiful theater there is a great variety in the setups. You can see pieces by, for example, Chekov, Gogol and Shakespeare, and there are also musicals and other things on the program on the popular stage. Today there are several stages in Astana, but the Russian Drama Theater started as the first in the city.
The monument to Kenesary Khan is an equestrian statue standing on the banks of the Ishim River. The inauguration took place in 2001 of the sculpture, which was executed in bronze on a high pedestal covered with polished granite. It was sculptor Nurlan Dalbai and architect Shota Ualikhanov who created the monument.
The large memorial stands as one of the symbols of independence and the re-established Kazakh state. Kenesary Kasymov lived 1802-1847 and became Kazakh khan. Kenesary Kasymov became known for fighting for Kazakh independence against the colonial policies of the 19th century.
Atyrau Bridge is one of the many bridges over the Ishim River on its course through Astana. There are many architecturally different bridges, and the 313 meter long Atyrau Bridge stands as a special experience with its meandering course and exciting design.
The name of the bridge comes from the city of Atyrau, which is located near the mouth of the Ural River in the Caspian Sea. Fish is Atyrau’s symbol as a city by the water, and Atyrau Bridge is therefore also designed with a total of 2,450 aluminum plates, which are composed with inspiration from swimming fish.
Astana Central Park is a large green area located along the central course of the Ishim River through Astana. The park was laid out as early as 1893, and its history then goes back a long way in the relatively young Kazakh capital.
The park is known for its old trees, paths and running routes, and when it comes to winter, there is the possibility of both skiing and ice-skating. On a walk in Astana Central Park, you can enjoy an ice cream or some of the area’s cafes and restaurants.
The Atameken Map of Kazakhstan is an opportunity to get around Kazakhstan and experience the country in miniature. Here you can recognize the country’s nature and man-made buildings across the country spread over many regions and the cities of Astana, Almaty and Shymkent.
A visit provides an overview of the diversity of natural and climatic zones and landscapes, architecture and urban ensembles in the large country, with a focus on monuments of history and culture. For example, cotton fields in Kyzylkum, coal in Karaganda and oil in Mangystau are shown in addition to the known buildings.
Khan Shatyr is the name of a shopping and entertainment center located as an architectural focal point at the western end of the modern boulevard, Nurzhol Boulevard. Khan Shatyr was opened in 2010 and is like a colossal tent in futuristic architecture.
The tent structure is 90 meters high and 150 meters including the spire on top. The base has a size of 200×195 metres, and it is therefore a large facility. It was the English architect Norman Foster who designed Khan Shatyr, which in addition to shops contains everything from mini golf to a beach.
Astana Opera is an opera and ballet theater that was built in grand neoclassicism in 2010-2013 at the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who also participated in the design himself. The opera is located as part of the string of architecturally exciting buildings along Nurzhol Boulevard.
There are two halls in the Astana Opera. The main hall can accommodate 1,250 spectators, and it has a large orchestra pit and is used for staging operas and ballets. In addition, there is a smaller hall with 250 seats, which is used for chamber music concerts. Both externally and internally, the building is an experience with its decoration.
Jastar Park is an area that was created in 2005 based on German planning with more than 3,000 trees and shrubs in the facility. The then president Nusultan Naserbayev himself also planted a tree here. The park is a pleasure to walk around with several things to see such as the sculpture Min Lykke/Bakytym Menin, which was created by Yerbolata Tolepbaya.
In 2006, the park’s large fountain composition was inaugurated. It was created by the Austrian Gabriela von Habsburg and depicts four horses running in different directions with 16 horseshoes. This is a symbol that Kazakhstan is developing towards all corners of the world and that the nation is moving forward.
Nur Astana Mosque is a mosque that is one of the largest in both Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Construction took place from 2005 to 2008 to the design of Lebanese Charles Hafiza and with financial donation from the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa.
The mosque is a large structure with four minarets that reach a height of 62 meters, while the dome of the building is 40 meters high. The mosque has capacity for 7,000 visitors at the same time with 5,000 inside the mosque itself and 2,000 outside it.
Akorda is Kazakhstan’s presidential palace and official office of the country’s president. The large and modern palace is located along the banks of the Ishim River as the eastern end of Nurzhol Boulevard, which is Astana’s modern centerpiece for, among other things, the government quarter of the city.
The presidential palace was opened in 2004 after three years of construction, and it stands out beautifully in the street scene with its blue dome and golden spire. The palace is located as part of the country’s administrative quarter. Next to Akorda you can see, among other things, Kazakhstan’s parliament, government building, supreme court and several ministries.
Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall is a concert hall and a center for performing arts, which was opened by President Nursultan Naserbayev in 2009. The architecturally exciting hall was designed by the Italian Manfredi Nicoletti and has room for 3,500 guests.
The exterior of the design consists of curved concrete walls with blue glass cladding, and the shape brings to mind the dynamics of the petals of a flower. When you enter the buildings, you are greeted by a 30 meter high atrium, from which you can go to the site’s three halls.
Holy Assumption Cathedral is Astana’s Russian Orthodox cathedral. It is a 68-metre-high church that, with five domes and a free-standing bell tower, was built in the years 2005-2009. The church is one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in Central Asia.
From the 1990s, Astana’s population grew rapidly, and at that time there were only two Russian Orthodox churches in the city. It was therefore decided to build a new one, and the foundation stone was laid by the city’s metropolitan. It was the patriarch of Moscow who inaugurated the cathedral, which stands with a beautiful and classical interior.
Astana Circus is the name of the Kazakh capital’s futuristic circus building, located in the area between Astana Central Park and Nurzhol Boulevard. Circus was opened in 2005, and the building sits like a large classic UFO in the cityscape.
The circus building is built around a traditional mange 13 meters in diameter, and there is room for 2,000 circus guests in the modern building, which with its performances maintains and develops the long circus tradition from the time of the Soviet Union.
Palace of Peace and Harmony is a pyramid-shaped building located east of the Ishim River on an axis that follows the magnificent Nurzhol Boulevard to the west. The pyramid was built 2004-2006 according to the design of the architectural firm Foster and Partners, and it functions as a spiritual center and event venue.
The palace is 62 meters high, and on the outside it is made up of triangles with side lengths of 12 meters. The lower rows of triangles are clad in granite, while the upper ones are made of glass. The pyramid and its message of peace express the spirit of Kazakhstan, where cultures, traditions and different nationalities coexist in peace, harmony and agreement with each other.
President’s Park is a large recreational area located around the Palace of Peace and Harmony and down to the Ishim River. The park area is over 80 hectares in size and was established in 2007 after the completion of the Pyramid Palace of Peace and Harmony.
The park contains many beautiful facilities with fountains, artificial streams, flower arrangements and in the western part, as part of the axis towards the presidential palace Akorda, you can see a large lake shaped like the fabled bird Samruk. The Presidential Park is one of Astana’s good places for walking, and from here there are beautiful views over Ishim and to modern Astana.
The Independence Palace is a modern building that was opened close to the President’s Park in 2008. The palace is used for various representative purposes and state ceremonies, conferences and other major events.
Behind the exterior design with blue glass and a white grid structure, you can also visit an art gallery in the building, which also houses a museum of Astana’s history, a 4D cinema and several other exciting experiences.
Shabyt Palace of Creativity is, as the name suggests, a place where creativity in many forms thrives and can develop. The palace contains many functions within sports, music, performing arts and much more, which can bring together creative development in the city and the country.
The Shabyt Palace was built in modern architecture as part of the many new developments that created a new central axis through Astana with everything from large parks and shopping malls to the country’s presidential palace. Next to Shabyt, you can see the Peace Wall/Beybîtçık birêşy monument, which is 111 meters long and has a 616 square meter LED screen as part of the monument.
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