Foodies can feast on meat dishes and native chocolate at wallet-friendly costs.
While Kazakhstan’s former capital Almaty is commonly referred to as town of tradition, Astana continues to be properly price a go to for beautiful structure, pleasant locals and a style of nomadic tradition.
In contrast to many metropolis breaks, an Astana itinerary gained’t be filled with artwork galleries. Due to Kazakhstan’s nomadic tradition, the performing arts prevailed over bodily. This has given rise to a wide range of drama, ballet and opera theatres.
I spent six days exploring town and listed here are my prime picks of issues to do.
The most effective time of yr to go to Kazakhstan: Plan fastidiously should you don’t just like the chilly
Astana is the second coldest capital on this planet, simply behind Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar. Town’s Ishim river is normally frozen strong from mid-November to early April.
Some travellers love a chilly metropolis break. However should you want to be hotter, head to Kazakhstan in the course of the European summer season when the common temperature is round 30C.
I visited in September and the temperature was round 19C. When the solar shone it introduced with it pretty heat however the gentle breeze made it nice for exploring. Be sure to pack layers for the morning and night.
Common prices of a visit and how you can get to Kazakhstan
For Europeans travelling to Kazakhstan, the change charge may be very beneficial and so, aside from fancy wine in very excessive finish eating places, Astana is reasonably priced. A mean two course meal with a drink will value round €20-25 per individual.
Air Astana presents almost-daily direct flights between Frankfurt and Astana, in addition to two in a single day flights from London Heathrow to Astana through Almaty. There are also simple connections as much as thrice per week from Amsterdam to Astana through Atyrau
A fast sensible observe: Kazakhstan makes use of normal European plug sockets (C, E, F) so no have to pack an adapter.
The Grand Mosque: for spectacular structure
I’m not non secular however I used to be nonetheless wowed by the structure and sheer scale of Astana’s Grand Mosque, the most important in Central Asia.
Sitting on the sting of town, the dramatic white, gold and turquoise constructing cuts a shocking silhouette. The within is not any much less spectacular.
Guests should take away their sneakers earlier than coming into and robes are offered for girls to cowl themselves. Be sure to’re not sporting comedy socks as I, sadly, was on the day of my go to.
Every room is exquisitely embellished with the lads’s prayer room being probably the most magnificent. Right here you’ll be able to see the world’s largest hand woven carpet with a standard Kazakh spiral sample and a wall adorned with the 99 names of Allah glistening in gold. Ladies can enter this room however some components are off limits in the course of the prayer periods which occur 5 instances a day.
Depart time to take the raise as much as the highest of one of many minarets for nice views over town.
Baiterek: for views throughout town
The Baiterek monument (generally spelt ‘Bayterek’) is the long-lasting image of Astana. The identify means ‘tall poplar tree’ and is impressed by a standard folktale a few magic hen of happiness who lays her egg on the highest of a tree, representing the switch of Kazakhstan’s capital to Astana in 1997.
I visited within the night however this isn’t the very best time of day – you’ll get a lot better views from the highest of the 105m tall tower in the course of the day. At evening the within lights mirror off the glass so that you miss out on among the view.
There’s a pleasant photograph alternative due to a golden handprint of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the primary President of unbiased Kazakhstan.
When you’re performed within the monument, have a stroll round this a part of town, taking within the riverside and park. You’ll be handled to lovely mosques, theatres and an unusually formed procuring centre.
Nur Alem Museum of Future Vitality: for a household day trip
This museum is right for a wet day or should you’ve bought youngsters to entertain. They’ll be saved busy by the interactive shows and adults will benefit from the spectacular spherical constructing that homes all of it.
Every of the eight flooring is devoted to a distinct sort of non-fossil gas power: photo voltaic, wind, hydro, kinetic and so forth.
The museum presents free guided excursions by request – ask on the ticket workplace should you’re . In case you select to wander round by yourself, there are pleasant employees available to reply your questions.
What’s Kazakh meals like?
As a vegetarian, Kazakh delicacies isn’t probably the most herbivore pleasant and at the same time as a journalist prepared to attempt all forms of conventional dishes to assist my writing, there was nonetheless a bit an excessive amount of horse.
That being stated, I like to recommend being courageous and attempting all of the nationwide delicacies, which the locals are all too delighted to share with you.
‘Beshbarmak’ is a standard Kazakh dish of horse meat served with a pasta-type noodle and onions. The a part of the horse platter that appealed to my tastebuds probably the most was a slice of sausage with a barely spiced and smokey flavour.
You’ll discover ‘Plov’, although Uzbek in origin, is broadly obtainable. It’s a tasty rice dish flavoured with meat, spices, carrots and onions and served on a giant sharing platter (think about a Eurasian paella). An Uzbek pal of mine advisable a restaurant known as Altyn Palau for the very best within the metropolis.
Vegetarians, worry not, many eating places serve a scorching aubergine salad starter which is scrumptious and would make for an amazing major course. There’s all the time a lot of scrumptious bread to maintain you sated. Lastly go away house in your baggage for a bar of Kazakh chocolate.
Hannah Brown was a visitor of Air Astana.