Astana

Astana (also known by its recent name Nur-Sultan before reverting) is one of the world's most extraordinary modern capitals, a collection of ambitious architectural statements rising from the endless Kazakh steppe. The Bayterek Tower, a 97-meter structure symbolizing a mythical tree of life, offers panoramic views across the city's futuristic left-bank development. Norman Foster's Khan Shatyr — the world's largest tent-like structure — contains a shopping mall, a monorail, and even an indoor beach resort with sand imported from the Maldives. His Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a perfect glass pyramid, hosts interfaith conferences and cultural events. The Nur Alem sphere, built for EXPO 2017, is the world's largest spherical building and now houses a future-energy museum. Walking the grand Nurzhol Boulevard between these landmarks feels like touring a science fiction film set, the blank steppe horizon adding to the surreal atmosphere.

Beyond the futuristic architecture, Astana offers genuine insight into Kazakh culture and traditions. The National Museum provides an excellent overview of the nomadic heritage that defines Kazakh identity, from ornate yurt furnishings to golden warrior armor. The Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Central Asia's largest, welcomes visitors outside of prayer times with its serene blue domes and marble interiors. Kazakh cuisine is hearty fare designed for harsh steppe winters: beshbarmak (boiled meat and pasta sheets, eaten by hand), kazy (horse meat sausage), and kumys (fermented mare's milk) are staples. Modern Astana restaurants present these dishes alongside international cuisine in sleek settings along the river. In summer, the city comes alive with outdoor festivals celebrating Kazakh music and traditions, while winter brings a magical frozen landscape where locals embrace the cold with ice fishing, skating, and steaming bowls of shorpa soup in heated cafés.