Popular places to visit in Astana

Astana is a fascinating city in the midst of an enormous transformation. The capital city of Kazakhstan, Astana (formerly known as Akmola) took on its new role in 1997 and has been changing rapidly ever since. Founded in 1830, it was once a defensive fortification against the invading Siberian Cossacks. During the 1960s, Astana became the centre of the Virgin Lands Campaign, an attempt by the USSR to rapidly develop agricultural production to feed their expanding empire. Now, this city is distinctly modern, all thanks to the pet project of President Nursultan Äbishuly Nazarbayev to make Kazakhstan the cultural forefront of Central Asia. The city has been spending billion dollars on international architects, making Astana an interesting site with its unique mix of futuristic architecture and Kazakh flair. It is home to many impressive government buildings, such as the Presidential Palace, Parliament House and Supreme Court. Kazakhstani officials mean to make Astana the capital not only of the country, but also of Central Asia. Follow our guide to know about some of the popular places to visit in Astana.