Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Region: Nur-Sultan is located in the Akmola Region
Geographic Coordinates: 51.147200, 71.422200
Temperature Range: -50.0°C to 35.0°C (-58°F to 95°F)
Climate: Cold winters and hot summers with significant temperature variations throughout the year.
Population: 1078362
Language: Kazakh
Nur-Sultan, Formerly known as Astana, Is the capital city of Kazakhstan. It is located in the northern part of the country and has a population of over one million people. The city was renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019 after former President Nursultan Nazarbayev who served as the country’s leader for almost three decades. One of the most striking features of Nur-Sultan is its modern architecture. The city underwent a major transformation in the early 2000s when it was decided to move the capital from Almaty to Astana.
This led to an influx of investment and construction projects resulting in an impressive skyline featuring futuristic buildings such as Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, And Expo City. Despite its modern appearance, Nur-Sultan also has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Visitors can explore historical sites such as Ak Orda Presidential Palace, Hazret Sultan Mosque, And Independence Square which are all located within walking distance from each other. The city also boasts numerous museums highlighting Kazakh culture and history including National Museum of Kazakhstan which showcases artifacts from prehistoric times up until present day.
The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is another must-visit attraction with its unique pyramid-shaped structure hosting various cultural events throughout the year. Nur-Sultan offers plenty of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts with parks like Central Park and Botanical Garden providing green spaces for relaxation or jogging. The Ishim River runs through the city offering opportunities for boating or fishing while nearby Borovoe National Park offers hiking trails surrounded by stunning landscapes.
Foodies will be delighted by Nur-Sultan’s cuisine influenced by both Russian and Asian flavors with traditional dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat served with noodles) or manty (steamed dumplings) being popular choices among locals. Nur-Sultan is a fascinating destination offering visitors a mix of modernity alongside historical and cultural attractions. Its unique architecture, Outdoor activities, And diverse cuisine make it a must-visit city in Central Asia.
- Bayterek Tower
- Astana Opera House
- Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center
- Nur-Astana Mosque
- Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
- Hazret Sultan Mosque
- National Museum of Kazakhstan
- Duman Entertainment Center
- Independence Square
- Presidential Palace
- Oil and Gas: Nur-Sultan is located in the heart of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas region, making it a hub for the industry. Major companies such as KazMunayGas, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell have operations in the city.
- Construction: With rapid urbanization and modernization of infrastructure in Nur-Sultan, construction is a booming industry. Major construction companies include BI Group, Astana StroyKompleks, and Kurylys.
- Finance: The city is home to several major banks including Kazkommertsbank (Halyk Bank), Eurasian Bank, Sberbank Kazakhstan, and ATFBank.
- Information Technology: Nur-Sultan has a growing IT sector with many startups emerging in recent years. Companies such as Microsoft Innovation Center Astana are also present.
- Mining: The mining industry is an important contributor to the economy of Nur-Sultan with major players such as Kazakhmys Corporation operating in the area.
- Agriculture: The surrounding region around Nur-Sultan produces wheat, barley, corns etc which are exported to other countries after processing them into flour or other products
- Tourism- With its unique architecture like Baiterek Tower, Palace of Peace & Reconciliation etc., history museums like National Museum of Kazakhstan, shopping malls like Khan Shatyr mall etc., it attracts tourists from all over the world.
- The city was founded in 1830 under the name Akmolinsk and later renamed Tselinograd in 1961.
- During World War II, the city played a vital role as a transportation hub for supplying troops and resources.
- Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s first president, was instrumental in Nur-Sultan’s development by relocating the capital from Almaty to Nur-Sultan in 1997.
- One of Nur-Sultan’s most recognizable landmarks is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation designed by British architect Norman Foster, which opened its doors in 2006.
- The Bayterek Tower is another iconic structure that symbolizes Kazakh folklore about a tree connecting heaven and earth.
- In recent years, Nur-Sultan has hosted several international events such as Expo 2017 and Astana Economic Forum.
- Notable personalities associated with Nur-Sultan include Olympic figure skater Denis Ten who won bronze at the Winter Olympics in 2014; singer Dimash Kudaibergen; and actress Samal Yeslyamova who won Best Actress at Cannes Film Festival for her performance in Ayka (2018).
- Nur-Astana Mosque
- Bayterek Tower
- Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
- National Museum of Kazakhstan
- Hazret Sultan Mosque
- Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center
- Atameken Ethno-Memorial Complex
- Astana Opera House
- Duman Entertainment Center
- Kazakh Eli Monument
- Barys Nur-Sultan is a professional ice hockey team from Kazakhstan that has been playing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) since 2008. They have won the KHL’s Chernyshev Division twice and reached the conference finals twice.
- Astana Pro Team is a professional road bicycle racing team based in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Founded in 2006, they have participated in all three Grand Tours of cycling – Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España – and have won numerous races including Tour de France stage wins and overall victories at Giro d’Italia.
- FC Astana is a professional football club from Kazakhstan that was founded as Lokomotiv Astana but changed their name to FC Astana after winning promotion to the Kazakhstan Premier League for the first time in 2010. They are one of the most successful clubs in Kazakhstani football history with six league titles and four domestic cup victories.
- Nomad St-Petersburg is a professional basketball club based out of Saint Petersburg that plays their home games at Saryarka Velodrome located within Nur-Sultan city limits during their participation within VTB United League matches.
- Kairat Almaty Futsal Club is one of Central Asia’s most successful futsal clubs with numerous national championships as well as international successes such as winning UEFA Futsal Cup twice consecutively back-to-back years between 2013 and 2014.
- Nauryz is a traditional Kazakh New Year celebration held on March 21st, featuring games, music, and food.
- The Astana International Jazz Festival is a week-long event that brings together jazz musicians from all over the world to celebrate music.
- In 2017, Nur-Sultan hosted the World Expo which attracted millions of visitors from around the globe.
- The Astana International Film Festival showcases movies from Kazakhstan and other countries in an annual event.
- Almaty-Kazakhstan Fashion Week is a bi-annual fashion event that features local designers and international brands.
- Qazaqstan Zhuldyzy (Kazakhstan Star) Music Festival celebrates Kazakh music and culture with performances by local artists.
- Eurasia Dance Festival is a dance competition featuring traditional dances from Kazakhstan and other countries in Central Asia.
- Astana Ballet Gala is an annual performance by the renowned Astana Ballet company showcasing classical ballet pieces as well as contemporary works created specifically for them.
- Ethno Fest celebrates ethnic cultures in Kazakhstan with live performances, traditional food, crafts, and workshops on various cultural practices like weaving or pottery-making.
- Astana Food Festival offers gastronomic delights where visitors can taste dishes from all over Kazakhstan as well as international cuisine while enjoying live music performances or cooking demonstrations by famous chefs.
- Beshbarmak is a traditional Kazakh dish consisting of boiled meat, usually lamb or beef, and noodles. It’s served with onion and potato.
- Kuyrdak is another traditional Kazakh dish made of fried liver and heart, usually served with onions and potatoes.
- Shashlik is grilled meat skewers typically made with lamb or beef.
- Manty are steamed dumplings filled with minced meat, onions, and sometimes potatoes.
- Lagman is a noodle soup that includes vegetables and meat, typically beef.
- Nauryz restaurant in Nur-Sultan serves various traditional Kazakh dishes such as beshbarmak, kuyrdak, shashlik etc.
- Astana Sulu is another popular restaurant in Nur-Sultan that offers traditional Kazakh cuisine like beshbarmak and manty.
- Gosti provides fusion cuisine blending European cooking techniques with local ingredients from Kazakhstan in a modern setting.
- The Green Market indoor market sells fresh produce as well as cooked food stalls offering local dishes like lagman soup and plov (rice pilaf).
- Turandot Restaurant located in the Ritz Carlton Hotel serves authentic Chinese cuisine including Peking duck and dim sum at a high-end level.
- Nurzhol Boulevard is a public park that features walking and cycling paths, fountains, and outdoor art installations.
- Astana Park is a large park that offers playgrounds, sports facilities, and picnic areas.
- Central Park is a popular spot for picnics, concerts, and other outdoor events.
- Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center is an indoor amusement park that includes a beach area and waterpark.
- Mega Silk Way Mall provides shopping opportunities as well as dining experiences, cinema showings, and even bowling alley access.
- Expo 2017 Astana serves as an international exhibition center that hosts various events throughout the year.
- Saryarka Velodrome caters to cycling enthusiasts who want to practice their skills or watch professional competitions.
- Ice Palace Alau offers ice hockey games or figure skating shows within its indoor skating rink setting.
- Atameken Ethno-Memorial Complex showcases Kazakh history through exhibitions of traditional crafts and architecture at this cultural complex destination.
- Baiterek Tower Observation Deck gives visitors panoramic views of the city from its observation deck atop the tower structure itself.
