As the world is witnessing a lot of changes on many facets, so does the tourism industry. This phenomenon is very evident in Nur-Sultan, known formerly as Astana in Kazakhstan.
Many new cities are emerging as a touristic destination and a business hub serving a particular region. Just a handful of years ago, Astana didn’t appear a lot in google searches and not many people would have heard about.
However, starting with the late 90s, Astana commenced carving its way through the International stage and many events and exhibitions have took place there.
Recently, the name has been changed to Nur-Sultan in honor of Kazakhstan president, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Astana in the Making
Nowadays, Astana or Nur-Sultan is amid a selective transformation. Many of the country’s monuments are well preserved and restored. The Kazakhs have a very distinctive identity and have a high national pride. This pehenomon is best seen in large cities like Astana and Almaty.
The older generation have survived some harsh times, nonetheless, the sincere smiles never disappear from their faces. A visit to their cozy homes will stimulate warm feelings of genuine hospitality. In addition, it will bring back to life some memories of the good old days of nomadic lives on the steps of Asia.
On the other hand, a walking tour in the streets of Nur-Sultan projects the emotions of the warm friendliness of the locals. In addition, the high rise spirits of the future is manifested in the uniquely shaped buildings and overall architecture.
Central Asian Hub and the World’s Next Futuristic City
During the past decades, many cities popped up around the world showcasing their marvelous architecture and stunning man-made landmarks. All of this is giving us a glimpse of what the future holds in store.
Namely, Dubai in the Middle East, as well as Singapore and Hong Kong in East Asia serve as magnets for investment and urban development. As these cities took few decades to position themselves as business neurotransmitters, which resulted in the legendary financial, business and touristic marvels these cities host.
Similarly, Nur-Sultan in central Asia is placing itself at the top spots lately in terms of originality and shimmering skylines. A walk in the city will summon the feeling of Sci-Fi movie scenes, and it’s well equipped to host increasing amounts of populations for years to come.
Having said that, the beauty of the city never lacks the green nature and the clear blue sky which is purely reflecting in the glittering glasses of the skyscrapers. Parks, on the other hand, are spread across the city and burst colorful scenes to be enjoyed and enhance the overall experience of residents and tourists alike.
A birdwatching tour is one of the most astonishing aspects of Kazakhstan, where you get to observe 28 species of predator birds in their natural habitat. This is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site and a recommended activity while in Kazakhstan.
Healthy and Organic Cuisine Options Around Nur-Sultan
Many urbanized cities might not have the best cuisines in the world, but that is not the case with Nur-Sultan.
Meat lovers will fall in love with this city as there is an excessive amount of options to choose from. However, the most prominent carnivorous delight is the horse meat dish, namely Beshbarmak, which is very popular among central Asian’s cuisines. Beshbarmak or Besbarmak means 5 fingers, in reference to the proper way to eat the dish with the whole hand.
Contrarily, if you feel that such dishes are very exotic for you to try, then the ordinary beef steaks taste more than extraordinary! Line Brew is namely one of the best serving steak restaurants in Nur-Sultan that is conveniently located on the outskirts of the old city overlooking the traditional streets and monuments of Kazakhstan. Besides, the restaurant kitchen serves the best contemporary cuisines of European flavours with a Kazakh flair.
Likewise, many Russian inspired dishes are commonly served around Nur-Sultan restaurants. These dishes combine the characteristics of being mainly healthy and tasty simultaneously. The Kazakh cuisine is found in abundance in many restaurants throughout the city and the Kazakh pop music is played in the background for a genuine experience.
However, if you are more of a traditional spirit, then we may suggest immersing yourself with a Kazakh gourmet experience and sampling the best food this country has to offer. At the same time you get to enjoy the traditional atmosphere and sniff the lovely aromas of the food while being prepared and hear the interesting stories of the glorious culture…
Economic Powerhouse and Diplomatic Center
A construction boom is taking place in Nur-Sultan currently. As many claim that this phenomenon might be due to petrodollars, nonetheless it is perfectly shaping the skyline of the city. Notwithstanding the fact that Kazakhstan has been a center for diplomatic action in the region and played an important role, past being a mere petrol exporting country.
The Nur-Sultan International Financial Center (AIFC), which was inaugurated in 2018, placed Nur-Sultan on peer level status with other financial centers around the world, and this position is gaining an upward traction.
At the same time, the city has hosted many diplomatic summits and talks, which further enriched its presence in the region. Namely, The World Trade Organization WTO, has set the 12th Ministerial Conference in 2020 on the Kazakh soil, in the Capital of Nur-Sultan.
The future of this decade is a very exciting one. Many opportunities are on the horizon, and many changes are quickly taking shape.
Nur-Sultan, is one of the most proactive players in the region, and many possibilities are encapsulated in its landscape. As challenges always exist for up and coming cities, Nur-Sultan has proved itself resilient and will continue to do so. Judging from the laid diplomatic, political and economical agenda, a bright future awaits the city.
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