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As the official air carrier for EXPO 2017, Air Astana is pleased to welcome visitors to the exposition and to Astana, Kazakhstan’s vibrant capital city. To help you discover more about Astana, tengri has compiled a guide to some of its top sights.
It’s less than 20 years since Astana became Kazakhstan’s capital, but in that short time it has grown from being a quiet backwater into a booming 21st-century city, with an outstanding collection of modern architecture, a lively cultural
scene, relaxing open spaces and some innovative culinary options.
When the decision was taken in 1997 to move Kazakhstan’s capital from earthquake-prone Almaty in the south of the country to the more centrally located city of Akmola, many observers were skeptical, but twenty years on this state-of-the-art capital city has proved all the doubters wrong and has become the dynamic modern face of Kazakhstan.
Astana’s history
Astana, whose name means ‘capital’ in Kazakh, became the country’s capital in 1998. For centuries, this strategically-located site on the banks of the Ishim River on the vast Eurasian Steppe was a major trading centre, but it was only in 1830, when the Russian Empire expanded southwards, that a permanent fortress, called Akmola, or ‘white tomb’, was established here.
Over the years, Akmola, later called Akmolinsk, developed into an important provincial hub with good
connections to the rest of Kazakhstan. In 1961, the city was placed at the heart of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s Virgin Lands programme and renamed Tselinograd. The programme aimed to turn the steppe into the Soviet Union’s bread basket by creating a huge grain-growing area around the city.
The name changed back to Akmola following Kazakhstan’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and then, six years later, it once again became the centre of attention when President Nursultan Nazarbayev chose it as the site for Kazakhstan’s new capital. His ambitious project aimed to change perceptions of Kazakhstan, rebranding the country as a dynamic, go-ahead place via this ultra-modern city.
The left bank
Astana is split into two parts on either side of the Ishim River – the left bank houses the new city with its grand civic buildings, cutting-edge skyscrapers and contemporary cultural facilities, while the right bank is home to the older parts of the city.
The left bank best sums up President Nazarbayev’s vision for his new capital. It’s bisected by the pedestrianised Nurzhol Boulevard, which is adorned with musical fountains and sculptures. A walk along this main artery, lined with some outstanding examples of modern architecture, is a must for visitors.
At the heart of the boulevard is the Baiterek Tower, the iconic symbol of Astana. The tower represents the tree of life where the Samryk, a mythical
phoenix-like bird, lays its golden egg. The soaring tower is 97-metres tall, symbolising the year when Astana was chosen by President Nazarbayev as the site for his new capital. It has a glass observation tower at its summit giving spectacular views over the futuristic cityscape. While enjoying the urban panorama you can place your hand in President Nazarbayev’s palm print, which is encased in a golden triangle, and it’s said to bring luck and prosperity to those who do this.
At the eastern end of the boulevard is Akorda, the presidential palace, and beyond that is a striking blue building known as The Pyramid. Designed by renowned British architect Norman Foster, this pyramid-shaped building is officially known as The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation; a centre for inter-faith dialogue that is also home to a 1,500-seat opera theatre.
At the western end of the boulevard is another landmark building designed by Norman Foster: the Khan Shatyr shopping and entertainment complex. This distinctive structure is a giant transparent tent, evoking Kazakhstan’s nomadic past, and is a key component of Astana’s skyline. The complex houses a wide range of shops and cinemas and it even has a water park complete with a sandy beach on its top floor.