2025 Astana Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

[6 Days and 5 Nights Deep Tour in Kazakhstan] Unlock the Secrets of Central Asia! A Visual Feast from Snow Mountains to Deserts Hey everyone! I just got back from Kazakhstan, and this visa-free treasure of a country has truly amazed me! 🏔️ From the Alps-like snow mountains to the Mars-like red deserts, and prices so low they're touching (a cup of coffee is only 8 RMB!), today I'm offering you this freshly baked guide with both hands, to take you around this mysterious Central Asian country~ ✈️ [Transportation Guide] ▪️ Airplane: Direct flights from Beijing/Urumqi to Almaty (3.5 hrs) ▪️ Domestic Transportation: Recommended Yandex taxi (cheaper than taxis) ▪️ Intercity Transportation: High-speed rail/airplane are both convenient (Astana-Almaty high-speed rail 5 hrs) ▪️ Must-have APP: Yandex Maps + Translate 🏔️ [DAY1: First Impression of Almaty] 🕘 9:00 Ascension Cathedral The second tallest wooden church in the world! The candy-colored exterior is super dreamy, and the murals inside are breathtaking~ The morning light is best for taking pictures 🕛 12:00 Green Bazaar Super local market! Must-eat in the food area on the second floor: ▪️ Shashlik (charcoal grilled lamb skewers) ▪️ Baursak (Kazakh fried dough) 🕒 15:00 Kok-Tobe Hill Take the cable car up the mountain to overlook the whole city! The rainbow chair and Beatles sculpture on the top of the mountain are popular spots for taking photos, and it's so beautiful at sunset that you'll cry 🍖 Dinner Recommendations: ▪️ Navat (traditional Kazakh restaurant, the horse sausage platter is amazing) ▪️ Auyl (tent restaurant to experience nomadic culture) 🏜️ [DAY2: Shymbulak Ski Resort] 🕗 8:00 Medeu Ice Rink The highest ice rink in the world! You can play even in summer, and the snow mountain in the background is super stunning 🕐 13:00 Shymbulak Ski Resort The most luxurious ski resort in Central Asia! In summer, you can take the cable car to see the snow mountain, and you must try the plov in the restaurant on the top of the mountain 🌃 19:00 Arbat Pedestrian Street Almaty's "Champs Elysées"! There are street performances at night, remember to bargain when buying souvenirs (recommended Kazakh felt hats) 🔥 [DAY3: Kapchagay Canyon] 🕘 9:00 Charyn Canyon Mini version of the Grand Canyon! The red canyon is super photogenic, remember to wear non-slip shoes to walk the Moon Valley trail 🕑 14:00 Kolsai Lakes The "Pearl of the Tian Shan Mountains" lives up to its name! The three alpine lakes are like sapphires, and the lakeside is full of wildflowers in July-August 🍵 Dinner Recommendations: ▪️ Gakku (horse meat specialty restaurant) ▪️ Coffeedelia (popular industrial style coffee shop) 🚞 [DAY4: Modern Journey of Astana] 🕗 8:00 Khan Shatyr The largest tent building in the world! Inside is a shopping center, and the top floor has an indoor roller coaster and artificial beach 🕛 12:00 Hazrat Sultan Mosque The most beautiful mosque in Central Asia! The blue and gold dome shines in the sun, girls should wear robes to enter 🕠 17:00 Bayterek Tower The 91-meter-high "Christmas tree" building, you can see the panoramic view of the city when you climb to the top, and the light show at night is super stunning 🍴 Dinner Recommendations: ▪️ Astana Grill (high-end steakhouse) ▪️ Line Brew (craft beer + German sausage) 🏕️ [DAY5: Burabay National Park] 🕘 9:00 Lake Burabay "Kazakh Switzerland"! You can ride horses around the lake, and the wooden houses by the lake are super fairytale-like for taking pictures 🕑 14:00 Mount Okzhetpes It's super exciting to take the cable car to the top! The "Lonely Piano" on the top of the mountain is a popular spot for taking photos on Instagram 🌌 [DAY6: Altyn-Emel National Park] 🕗 8:00 Red Mountains It's like landing on Mars! It's beautiful to wear a white or black dress for taking pictures, it is recommended to rent an off-road vehicle for in-depth exploration 🕛 12:00 Singing Dune Mysterious sand dunes that can "sing"! You can hear a roar when you slide down from a high place, it's super magical 🔥 [Must-Play List TOP5] 1️⃣ Charyn Canyon (red canyon blockbuster) 2️⃣ Kolsai Lakes (sapphires of the Tianshan Mountains) 3️⃣ Khan Shatyr (futuristic architectural miracle) 4️⃣ Lake Burabay (Little Switzerland of Central Asia) 5️⃣ Red Mountains (Martian surface experience) 💡 [Precautions] ▪️ Visa-free for 30 days, but pay attention to the passport validity period ⌚️ ▪️ The temperature difference between day and night is large in September, so bring a coat 🧥 ▪️ It is recommended to exchange currency in the city (the exchange rate at the airport is poor) 💰 ▪️ Prepare some small change (tipping culture) 💰 ▪️ Respect local religious customs ⛪️ Sitting by Kolsai Lake watching the reflection of the snow mountain, I suddenly understood why the Kazakhs say this is "God's back garden". Here, there is both the boldness of the nomadic people and the avant-garde sense of the future. You can encounter unexpected things every time you turn a corner!

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is a dazzling city that blends ancient history with modern style, attracting the world's attention with its unique charm👀. The city was originally named Akmola and was not officially established as the new capital of Kazakhstan until 1997. It was then renamed Astana, which means "capital". In recent years, it has been renamed several times and finally returned to its original name in 2022, witnessing the historical changes since Kazakhstan's independence🏛️. Astana is located in the north-central part of Kazakhstan, with the Ishim River running through the city, adding a touch of agility and vitality to the city🌊. The city's modern construction is eye-catching, with high-rise buildings rising from the ground and wide roads crisscrossing, showing the prosperity and vitality of Kazakhstan as an important country in Central Asia🌆. As the political, economic, and cultural center of Kazakhstan, Astana has many important government agencies, corporate headquarters, and cultural facilities. It is not only the center of national political decision-making, but also the engine of economic development, attracting a large amount of domestic and foreign investment, and promoting the rapid development of the city💰. Astana's cultural heritage is also profound. The city is full of museums, theaters, and art galleries, providing citizens and tourists with a rich cultural experience🎨. Among them, the Bayterek Observation Tower, as a landmark building in the city, towers into the clouds. It is not only an excellent place to overlook the city, but also a symbol of Kazakhstan's independent spirit🗼. In addition, Astana's natural scenery should not be overlooked. The city is surrounded by vast grasslands and magnificent snow-capped mountains, with distinct seasons and different scenery. Whether it is the greenery of summer or the silver-wrapped winter, it is fascinating🏞️. Astana's food culture is also rich and colorful. It combines Central Asian traditional flavors with modern innovations. Whether it is authentic Kazakh food or Western food, Chinese food, and other cuisines, you can find it in this city🍴. In local restaurants or markets, you can taste a variety of delicious dishes and feel the enthusiasm and hospitality of the Kazakh people. Astana is a city full of charm and vitality. It attracts the world's attention with its unique history, modern construction, rich culture, and beautiful natural scenery. Whether it is a business trip or a sightseeing tour, it will bring you unforgettable memories🌈.

The Astana Grand Mosque, located in the capital of Kazakhstan, is the largest mosque in Central Asia and one of the top ten largest mosques in the world. Completed in 2022, the mosque covers nearly 70,000 square meters and can accommodate over 200,000 worshippers. The main dome of the mosque stands over 80 meters high with a diameter of more than 60 meters, surrounded by four 130-meter-high minarets symbolizing the Five Pillars of Islam. Additionally, what excites me the most is the unique architectural design of the Astana Grand Mosque, which blends traditional and modern elements, making it a significant landmark in the region. Here are some tips for visiting the mosque🔔 👔: Visitors should dress conservatively, with both men and women covering their shoulders and knees. Women should wear a headscarf, and the mosque provides shawls. Shoes must be removed before entering the mosque. 🕘: The mosque is closed to non-Muslim visitors during prayer times, so it is best to check the specific opening hours before your visit. Generally, non-prayer times are more suitable for visits. 📸: Photography inside is usually allowed, but avoid taking pictures of people in prayer. 🚌: The mosque is located in the city center of Astana, with convenient transportation options. You can choose to take a taxi or public transportation. There is also parking available for those driving.

"French Quarter" is the first residential complex of the "Urban Romance" series from the "Basis-A" company, stylized as the classical urban architecture of European countries. The residential complex is located in the Almaty district of Nur-Sultan, on the border of the park area at the intersection of Panfilov and Kaldayakov streets. The residential complex is located in a prestigious developing area. Nearby is a great place for recreation and walks - the Presidential Park, the embankment of the Yesil River. The residential complex has a large selection of restaurants and cafes. Walking distance to Haileybury Astana school. A 10-minute walk from the National Museum, the Palace of Peace and Accord (Pyramid), the Palace of Independence, the Kazakh National University of Arts, the mosque "Khazret Sultan", a kindergarten and a school-lyceum "Nur Orda".#nursultan #kazakhstan

My hometown Astana (Nur-Sultan) is well known with its great Monument Baiterek. «Baiterek» means a young, strong, special meaning of a tree, it symbolizes a state that has preserved its historical beginning, which has a strong support and aspiration for future prosperity. We have a park around Baiterek called Nurly Zhol Boulevard. Moreover, if you are interested of what inside the Baiterek you can enter it and even take the elevator to the highest floor of the monument. Having been in Astana and not looking at the city from the view of Baiterek is simply unthinkable. A ticket costs an average of 2000 tenge it is 4,25$. #staycation #nursultan #kazakhstan #astana

A little-known Central Asian tourist attraction, Kazakhstan The National Museum of Nur-Sultan is divided into various exhibition halls. 1. A history hall that follows the history of Kazakhstan 2. Special exhibitions that can be viewed for an additional fee 3. A special exhibition of modern art There are many things to see, and you can see various exhibits that remind you of nomadic people. However, you need an additional permit to take pictures. If you take pictures without a permit, you can be fined, so be careful! #Exhibition #Kazakhstan #Nur-Sultan #SpecialExhibition

The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is considered not only the largest museum institution in the country, but it has no analogues in all of Central Asia. It is also one of the youngest museums - it was opened in the summer of 2014. The main part of the exposition is devoted to the history of the Kazakh people, the life and culture of the country, the formation of the republic and other significant events and eras in the life of the state. The exposition is represented by 11 halls, each dedicated to a separate topic. The most interesting are, of course, the Golden Hall with the most valuable artifacts found in archaeological excavations in Kazakhstan, as well as the Nur-Sultan Hall with a model of its modern central part. A tour of this amazing place will not leave anyone indifferent and will bring a lot of new things to your personal baggage of knowledge about Kazakhstan. Getting to the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is easy - it is located in the central part of the capital. #nur-Sultan #kazakhstan #museum

Nur-Sultan is a city where the possibilities of modern architecture manifested themselves. The main idea of ​​Nur-Sultan development is the embodiment in the architecture of a combination of the rationality of the West and the sophistication of the East, the grandiosity of Europe and the originality of Asia. In the construction of the city, in changing its appearance, the most advanced technologies and innovative methods of the art of urban planning of the 21st century were used. World-famous architects brought their best projects to life here. The springboard for this was the left bank of the Yesil River, which until recently was empty. In 1999, by decision of UNESCO, Nur-Sultan received the title of "City of Peace". Nur-Sultan has about 20 parks, 13 museums, 5 theaters and a large number of other attractions that attract city guests and delight local residents with their beauty. #nur-Sultan #kazakhstan

#nur-Sultan promenade is good way to enjoy your evening. You can cross all park with its attractions and caffe for one hour. Park is great place for runners and anyone who likes activities. You can rent bike from people here or take electro scooter by app: Jet or ÖZIM. On the river side there are plenty of coffee, burgers and ice cream shops. Good idea to finish your evening with live music and good kitchen at The Times restaurant. #summertrip#gourmetsummer

Here is the unique building of Expo 2017 in Astana (Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan. There are 8 floors all dedicated to new ideas of ecological ways of making electricity. Every floor says a different story of the future. It is also the only 100% round skyscraper in the world at the moment. #happynewyear

1 year ago when I visited the place it was called Astana. Nowadays the name of this big city is Nur-Sultan named after the first president of free Kazakhstan - Nur-Sultan Nazarbayev. The city is famous with its skyscrapers and also with very extreme steppe climate with temperatures ranging from -55°C to +40°C #kazakhstan #astana #nursultan #happynewyear #happynewyear

The Baiterek Tower is located at the center of Nur-Sultan, previously known as Astana and 20 years ago - Akmola. The city is the capital of Kazakhstan - very big country in central Asia. The view from the top is amazing. You have a bird eye view of all the sights of the town. #happynewyear

Hello from Astana- Nur-Sultan 2019, Kazakhstan! Even this is the place where i came from i have never been in other cities, except Almaty. Suprisingly, the city was so different comparing with my city! Here i have meet so much foreigners! I never knew that enomours foreign people love our country! It is fact, that in out country you can find millions of various international restraunts with all the types of national cousine! So being in Astana for the first time i tried Henkali which is the most famous dish in Georgia! it looks like a dumplings with meat abd vegetables! You should try it! And my new traveler story continues with the next post!

#newjourney

#airportreview #astana Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport (NQZ) or Astana International Airport, you will definitely not miss coffee and food. The price is not much higher than outside. There are quiet places to sit.

📅 แผนการเดินทาง #คาซัคสถาน #almaty #astana วันที่ 1: 9.00 am. เริ่ม Zenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral) เดินไป Museum of Musical Instruments ซึ่งจะผ่าน Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, Monument Of Panfilov, Military History และ Museum of the Ministry of defense of Kazakhstan อยู่ใกล้ๆ กัน เดินไปต่อที่ Green Bazaar ตลาดของสดละลานตา เดินไปต่อที่ Almaty Central Mosque มัสยิดโดมสีทองอร่าม เดินไป Arbat G. Almaty นั่ง subwayไปชมวิวที่ Kok Tobe Hill จากนั้นไป Al-Farabi Kazakh National University วันที่ 2: ทัวร์ one day trip สำรวจ Treasures of Almaty lakes Kaindy, Kolsai และ Charyn canyon National Park วันที่ 3: เริ่มสตารท์ The Central State Museum of Kazakhstan เดินไปตามทาง Park of the Foundation of the First President ถัดไปนิดเดียวเป็น Sculpture Park ไป Republic Sq. เดินต่อไปยัง Independence Monument, Golden Warrior Monument และ Tagzym Memorial วันที่ 4: Big Almaty Lake ดื่มกาแฟร้าน TARY กลับเข้ามาในเมืองไป First President park วันที่ 5: บินมา Astana เริ่มจุดแรก Atyrau bridge แล้วเดินเลียบแม่น้ำไป Mechet' Chubary วันที่ 6: เริ่มเดินจุดแรกที่ Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center เดินไปตามแนวเส้นตรง ผ่าน Lovers park ไป Bayterek Tower เดินต่อไปเลียบแม่น้ำ ตัดเข้าสวน Presidential Park ไปยัง Palace of Peace and Reconciliation เดินไป Monument Kazakh Eli ต่อด้วย Hazrat Sultan Mosque ไป The Grand Mosque of Astana และเดินเล่นยามค่ำคืน 🍴 ร้านอาหารแนะนำ - จบที่ร้านฟาสต์ฟู้ดเป็นส่วนใหญ่ เพราะมีจอทัชสกรีนให้จิ้มๆ มีภาษาอังกฤษด้วย กดสั่งเอา ง่ายดี! ที่กินซ้ำจะเป็นร้านพิชช่าชื่อ Do Do pizza และร้าน Doner มีหลายสาขา - ส่วนใครสายน้ำหวาน ชา กาแฟ หรือพวกเบเกอรี่ แซนวิช ครัวซอง ไม่ต้องห่วงร้านคาเฟ่เยอะเหลือเกิน ทุกตรอกถนน ในปั๊มและพวกสถานที่ท่องเที่ยวธรรมชาติก็ยังมี **โดยส่วนตัวชอบร้านกาแฟ ชื่อ Coffee boom เห็นมีหลายสาขา รสชาต ราคาโอเคสำหรับเรา 📌 เคล็ดลับ - Yandex Go: แอปเรียกรถสุดปั่น ก่อนอื่นต้องโหลดแอป Yandex Go มาก่อนเลยค่ะ นางคล้ายๆ Grab บ้านเรา เรียก Taxi สั่งอาหาร ให้ส่งของ ผสมฟีลลิ่งเหมือนลูกครึ่ง Google Maps ที่สามารถบอกเส้นทางการขนส่ง อาทิ รถเมล์, Subway หรือการเดินเท้า เราสามารถเลือกดูราคาค่ารถ Taxi จากหลายตัวเลือกหากพอใจอันไหนก็เลือกเอา เราใช้แบบจ่ายเงินสดนะคะ อาจมีไม่ได้ทอนบ้างในหลายๆ ครั้ง แต่ที่พีคคือ...สมมุติว่าเราปักหมุดไปพิพิธภัณฑ์ใช่ไหมค่ะ พี่คนขับแกจะไม่สนเลยค่ะว่าประตูทางเข้าอยู่ตรงไหน แกจะขับตาม Google Maps เป๊ะๆ บางทีพาเข้าไปสถานที่ส่วนบุคคล คือถูกทางแหละ แต่ทางมัน! แต่ไม่ต้องห่วงจ่ายตามราคาที่ปรากฎในแอปนั้นแระ - รถไฟใต้ดิน (subway) การใช้หยอดเหรียญเข้าไป อ้อ! มันไม่คืนเหรียญนะ ไปถึงสถานีปลายทางเหมือนมีเซนเซอร์ที่ประตูจะเปิดเอง แต่เห็นโปรโมทในสถานีมี Face scan ด้วย ส่วนรถบัสยังไม่ได้ลอง - สนามบินไม่ต้องกลัวอดจะที่ Almaty หรือ Astana ข้างในมีร้านแน่นอน ส่วนราคาของข้างนอกกับข้างในโดยส่วนตัวคิดว่าราคาไม่แตกต่างกันมาก

#cityplaybook #familytrip #localguides #stunningview Post: In the vast Kazakh steppe, Astana (also known as Nur-Sultan) rises like a vision from the future—bold, symmetrical, and shimmering with glass and steel. This young capital city is a stunning mix of tradition and ultra-modern ambition, where East meets West in architecture, culture, and spirit. My journey began on the left bank of the Ishim River, where Astana’s iconic skyline unfolds. The first stop: Bayterek Tower, the city’s symbolic monument. I rode to the top for a panoramic view of wide boulevards, grand government buildings, and distant flatlands stretching to the horizon. Placing my hand in the golden imprint of Kazakhstan’s first president felt symbolic—touching the vision of a new nation. Next, I walked through Nurzhol Boulevard, a pedestrian zone lined with futuristic structures. From the flower-like Khan Shatyr shopping center (a tent-shaped marvel!) to the crystalline curves of Nazarbayev Center, every building seemed like a piece of conceptual art. Despite the modernity, I found warmth and heritage in places like the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, a gleaming white masterpiece that blends traditional Islamic architecture with a Kazakh soul. Nearby, the National Museum gave deep insight into the country’s nomadic past and bold present. Evenings were peaceful and golden. I strolled along the river promenade as locals roller-skated, couples watched the fountains light up, and the city glowed beneath a big open sky. Best Time to Visit: May to September for comfortable weather and outdoor exploration. Winters are magical but extremely cold—come prepared! Helpful Tips: English is not widely spoken, so a translation app is useful. Public transport is efficient, but taxis (or ride-hailing apps) are convenient for quick trips. Try beshbarmak (Kazakhstan’s national dish), baursak, and kumis (fermented mare’s milk). Location: Astana (Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan Hashtags: #AstanaAdventures #ModernSilkRoad #BayterekView #KhanShatyrVibes #SteppeSkylines #KazakhstanCapital #FuturisticCityscape #NomadicHeritage #HiddenGemsAsia #AstanaSunset

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is home to many buildings with unique shapes and huge scales. Each building is so large that it looks close from a distance due to an optical illusion, but if you try to approach it on foot, you will be surprised at how far away they are 😁 The two golden cylindrical buildings are very long horizontally and structural buildings. The contrast between the beautiful symmetrical gardens and the asymmetrical buildings is also interesting. It is also fun to walk around the city and get a real feel for the enormity of Astana. If you are visiting in the summer, you should be careful not to get sunburned as the latitude is high, the sun sets late, and the sunlight is strong. 🌼Name: Astana 📍Location: Astana, Kazakhstan Access: Located in the northern part of Kazakhstan, it is convenient to access by plane. #Let's go to Asia

Beautiful and charming village of Sati in southern Kazakhstan. Sorrounded by stunning mountains, its an amazing place and it feels lime time Has stopped here. Everything is just so peaceful. And its great place to start your trip to visit mountains and Lakers like Lake Kaindy and Lake Kolosai, both are just outstanding. Visiting Kazakhstan you really need to see it, its a must see!!#couplestrip

Bayterek is a symbol of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Astana is far from the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan border, but it is a very unique city and a must-visit place. Although it takes time, access by train is recommended as it stirs up the travelling spirit. Bayterek was designed by a Japanese architect, so I felt a sense of familiarity even though it is a faraway place. You can climb up and see the city of Astana. The fourth photo is the sign inside. The fourth photo is a view overlooking the city of Astana from the top. Please visit Bayterek, which is very noticeable from afar and is beautiful both at night and during the day. 🌼Name: Bayterek 📍Location: Astana, 01000, Kazakhstan 🕰️Opening hours: 9:00-21:00 #Let's go to Asia

Astana airport, beautiful morning

#aprilblooms Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, is a modern, fast-growing metropolis known for its futuristic architecture and bold urban design. Quick Facts: Current Name: Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan) Capital Since: 1997 (replacing Almaty) Location: Northern Kazakhstan, on the Ishim River Known For: Iconic buildings like Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr, and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation A blend of traditional Kazakh culture and ultramodern design#astana Harsh winters and impressive skyline

#aprilblooms Baiterek refers to the Bayterek Tower, a famous monument and observation tower in Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan. Key Facts: Symbolism: Represents a Kazakh legend about the mythical tree of life and the sacred bird Samruk that lays its egg between the branches. Height: About 105 meters (344 feet) Design: A tall white tower topped with a golden sphere, which you can enter and view the city from.#baiterek

our stay in hotel Jumbaktas in Astana was great

It was a healing trip where I ate meat every day, walked a lot, and had a lot of fun. Places to visit are Khan Shatyr Naberezhnaya Botanicheskiy sad Must-eat foods are Rib eye, T-bone steak Besiparmak Corn Fruit & tomato #Overseas travel #Kazakhstan #trip #Kazakhstan travel #Places to visit in Kazakhstan

Night Astana so beautiful

Beautiful Astana.