A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Once deemed inaccessible, Kazakhstan now opens its doors to adventurous travelers. This Central Asian nation is a captivating blend of Silk Road traditions, intriguing remnants of the Soviet era, and vast landscapes that seem to stretch into infinity.
Travelers seeking adventure, culture, and something completely fresh should consider Kazakhstan. This central Asian country is leaning on its nomadic past while utilizing its abundant oil reserves to carve out a bright future, particularly visible in its futuristic cities. Visitors can expect to encounter natural wonders like the sharply defined cliffs and towers of Charyn Canyon, alongside cultural treasures that include the impressive stone markers known as balbals.
Among Kazakhstan’s endless grasslands on the windswept northern steppes, the forward-looking modern city of Astana has sprouted. With a skyline punctuated by gleaming new skyscrapers that seem to defy the laws of physics, the capital is an eye-catching showcase of international, 21st-century architecture and a glimpse into a city of the future.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the depressed agricultural town of Tselinograd was completely revamped and renamed Astana when President Nazarbayev unexpectedly named it Kazakhstan’s future capital in 1994. The transformation from small town to world-class capital has continued since Astana officially took on the job title in late 1997 and was renamed from Akmola to Astana in 1998.