In May 2018, a new unusual mosque was opened after two years of construction in Saryarka district of Astana. The design is made in the style of Kazakh postmodernism and also features traditional patterns and decorative elements. The mosque named Ryskeldy Kazhy resembles a flower bud or a diamond.

The total area of the mosque is 3,695 square meters; it can accommodate more than 2,000 people. The diameter of the building is 53 meters, the height – 26 meters. Ryskeldy Kazhy Mosque on Google Maps. Photos by: Evgeny Tkachenko.

amazing mosque

Tags: Astana city · mosques

The Arkat Mountains are located in the central part of the East Kazakhstan region, in the area of the settlement of Arkat.

The mountains are very old and almost completely destroyed by erosion except for separately standing rocks. However, despite this, the local landscapes are very picturesque and attract people who prefer active rest. The Arkat Mountains on Google Maps. Photos by: Ilya Afanasyev.

remains of ancient mountains

Tags: East Kazakhstan oblast

Charyn (Sharyn) Canyon, stretching for 154 km along the Charyn River, is located about 200 km east of Almaty, near the border with China, part of the Charyn National Park.

This picturesque natural monument consists of sedimentary rocks formed about 12 million years ago. The height of the rocks reaches 150-300 m. Charyn Canyon on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Rubtsov.

magnificent canyon

Tags: Almaty oblast

The tract of Boszhira is located in the western part of the Ustyurt plateau on the Mangyshlak peninsula of the Mangistau region.

Boszhira occupies a large area, it takes more than one day to explore it. This place is gradually becoming more popular among tourists. There are no pre-laid routes, you can go wherever you want. Boszhira on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Mulder.

amazing kingdom of chalk cliffs

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan with a population of about 1.7 million people. It is the only city in the country with a population of more than a million people.

The city is located at the foot of the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains in the extreme south-east of the republic. Let’s walk through the central part of Almaty on a nice summer day. Photos by: Sergey Rubtsov.

stroll around Almaty

Tags: Almaty city

Astana, meaning “capital” in Kazakh, is a city with a population of about 1 million people located in the north of Kazakhstan. It became the country’s capital in 1998.

Let’s take a walk in the city center during the days of Expo-2017 Astana – an international specialized exhibition held from June 10 to September 10, 2017. Photos by: Sergey Rubtsov.

Bayterek – a monument and observation tower crowned with a golden ball, one of the symbols of the new capital of Kazakhstan.

explore Astana

Tags: Astana city

Karaganda is a city with a population of about half a million people, the capital of the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan.

Today, it is one of the largest industrial, economic, scientific, and cultural centers of the country. Let’s see how the center of Karaganda looks like in the evening. Photos by: Alexandr Kuznetsov.

Karaganda in the evening

Tags: Karaganda city

The picturesque Butakovskoe gorge, located at an altitude of 1,700-2,900 meters above sea level in the mountains of Zailiysky Alatau, within the limits of Almaty, is a great place for hiking.

The total length of the gorge is 14 km. At the bottom of the gorge the Butakovka River flows, which is the right tributary of the Malaya Almatinka River. Butakovskoe gorge on Google Maps. Photos by: A. Gornostayeva and Ilya Gornostayev.

explore the gorge

Tags: Almaty city

Talan Towers, an architectural complex of two towers located in the very center of Astana, was opened in November 2016.

The complex includes a hotel and a business center with offices of the largest Kazakhstan and foreign companies. From here you can enjoy probably the best views of the capital of Kazakhstan. Photos by: Alexandr Kuznetsov.

Astana from above

Tags: Astana city

Ulytau is a complex of low mountains located in the southwest of Kazakh Upland (Sary Arka) – a steppe in Central Kazakhstan, in the northwest of the Karaganda region.

It is one of the oldest mountain ranges of Sary Arka that stretches from north to south for 200 km. The highest point is Akmeshit Peak (1,131 m).

scenic yellow, red and orange mountains

Tags: Karaganda oblast