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This relatively young city dates back only to 1824 when a fortress was built by Russians here. 40 years later the settlement received municipal rights. Only for two decades has Astana been the capital of Kazakhstan. Instead of historic buildings, you’ll find here modern architecture that makes an amazing impression, especially on the background of the steppe landscape.

Start your visit at Bayterek – an observation tower built in 2002. Its unique shape is meant to embody a folktale about a mythical tree of life that supported the sky and a magic bird of happiness who had laid its egg in the crevice between two branches. That is how the sun was supposed to be born. The observation deck is located in a golden sphere, which is meant to symbolize the egg. You will easily recognize the tower – it’s pictured on the reverse of national banknotes.

One of the most interesting buildings of the city is The Pyramid of Peace and Accord. The structure is made up of five levels of glass triangles. The Pyramid was specially constructed to host the 3rd Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2009. Although it has no religious symbols, it’s recognized by many as the temple of the ancient Sun Worship. Each story is filled with symbolism: the dark basements with an image of the sun on the ceiling accommodate The Opera House. On the next floor, there’s a Conference Hall with an immense table with the motif of the sun. The top floor is completely glazed to allow direct contact with the Sun.

The specific history of the city meant that Astana was created not like most cities, through expansion, but has been fully designed. There are no narrow streets, in which you can get lost, the entire urban layout is clear. The symmetry, order, and neatness are almost overwhelming. You will soon notice that there are not many people in the streets, and the traffic is never heavy. The buildings are disproportionately large in relation to the number of inhabitants.

The city owes its specific climate to the fact that it is located in semi-arid steppes. Winter comes here in mid-October and lasts for six months of unfavorable weather. The temperature drops even to 40 Celsius degrees below zero and sometimes the wind blows at speed of up to 130 km per hour.

Atyrau is a port city at the mouth of the Ural River, in the eastern part of Kazakhstan, near the coast of the Caspian Sea, the largest lake in the world. Until the early nineties, it was known as Gurjev. The original name was given to the city in honor of the family of its founders, who started fishing and oil extraction in this area. Today's name means the place where the river flows into the sea.

Atyrau is the place where European and Asian influences are combined together in harmony. It is one of the two cities in the world, which are located on two continents. This oil-rich region offers great hotels and restaurants, and the number of these facilities is constantly growing.

When you want to eat something delicious, you should visit one of the most popular places in Atyrau - Sancak at Azattyk Avenue 9. The dishes which you can taste there are a great essence of this city because they come from Asia and Europe. You can also visit the Cinzano bar at Momyshuly 25, specializing in Japanese cuisine.

When it comes to the evening out of the house, we recommend going to the to the Bavarius beer-house. Apart from an excellent beer, you can taste good snacks and it's worth mentioning that the waiters speak English, which unfortunately is not a standard yet. In the morning you can taste an aromatic coffee with a delicious biscuit in Booblik at Azattyk Avenue 17v.

Tourists often choose the southern and south-western part of Europe and The Caspian Sea is not particularly popular. It's a huge mistake! The coast of this largest lake in the world is related to amazing views, combined with the hot climate, what guarantees a great, hot holiday. The fact that you won't meet many tourists there is undoubtedly a big advantage of this place.

As first created here was a Russian fort Ust-Kamenogorsk in 1929. With time its military destiny changed to trading one. The settlement gained city’s charter in 1868, and soon it became an important trading centre, where interests of Emperor Russia, Mongolia and China were crossing.

In 2015 in the city was opened its most beautiful adornment – a fountain, that during day looks like an ordinary one. In the evening though it enraptures – three flows of water, reaching as high as 40 metres of altitude, dance to the rhythm of music. Colourful lights are accompanying the unusual spectacle.

Staying in Oksemen, go to the village Etnos – a ethnographic park opened in 2010. You will see there a real mix of cultures – the region is inhabited till today by representatives of more than 100 ethnic groups. In the village you can see houses, their equipment and get to know typical traditions of different groups.

Your favorite material is wood? Then you can’t miss a House of People’s Crafts at Krasina street. In a three-store castle, everything is made of this noble raw material. Each furniture is a piece of art. And there are no two the same. With tourists in mind, local woodcarvers made smaller items, that can be bought as souvenir or gift for loved ones.

The most romantic spot in Oskemen is surely the Avenue of Lovers, leading through the park from the Novatorov street to abridge on a river Irtysh. A route is decorated with sculptures of the love theme, like, for instance, a sculpture of a men sitting on a bench and playing love ballads on a guitar. There is a lovely view of a river from the avenue.

If you travel with a child, don’t miss a visit in Metallurg park, that is at the conjunction of Vinogradova street and the Avenue of Independence. One of the oldest entertainment parks in this part of Kazakhstan is full of attractions adjusted to kids at any age, and also parents. Pay attention to small architecture – remains after the Soviet time.