The Republic of Kazakhstan or simply Kazakhstan is the biggest landlocked country in the world, and most of its part is located in Asia with a small part in Europe near the Ural River. The country has around 1052100 square miles of area and shares borders with 5 countries. Russia lay to the North, China to the East, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the South.

Kazakhstan has a population of more than 18 million and is the ninth largest country in the world. Its area is so vast that’s why population density is quite low. It has around 6 people per square kilometer. In 1997, Kazakhstan had a new capital Nur Sultan, before the country’s largest city Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan.

In the past, the country was home to nomads and has ruled by many empires. Scythians, Persian, and Turkish are some of the main ones who had ruled this land throughout history. In the 13th century, this land was captured by the Mongols under their great ruler Genghis Khan. In the 16th century, Kazakh become the one to dominate this province and till the 19th century, it was part of the Russian empire.

When the Russian civil war was at its height, the sovereignty of Kazakhstan came into consideration and, in 1936 Kazakhstan became part of the Soviet Union and known as Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1991, after the demolition of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan was the last to declare its independence. Kazakhstan is the main country in the Asian region contributing almost 60% of GDP through its oil industry. It also has a large source of mineral resources. This country is also a member of the UN, SCO, CSTO, OIC, CCTS, Turkish Council, and Eurasian Economic Union.   

Its majestic canyons, endless deserts, large glaciers, and green plains make the list of Kazakhstan tourist places very large. There are so many options in this country that you can visit at any time of the year. Five types of climate are found in this country and two types of time zones. This country is generally overlooked by tourists but in the case of natural scenery, Kazakhstan has no comparison. Locals here are very famous for their hospitality and welcoming nature.

Let’s have a look at the top 10 places to visit in Kazakhstan

Astana

The modern capital of Kazakhstan, Astana is very famous among tourists, as a hub for corporate business centres, multi-story buildings. The architecture of this country has a mix of various histories and creates a breath-taking experience for the visitors. Bayterek Tower is 105 meters tall and provides a panorama view of Astana city. Sea aquarium in the city is the home of more than 2000 species of sea animals from all over the world and is the main attraction point to see Kazakhstan.

Almaty

For its scenic beauty and gorgeous views, this place is one of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan. The snow-covered mountain’s peak can become the backdrop for your pictures. The culture of this city of Kazakhstan is very rich and holds many historical places. Before 1997, Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan. You can explore the local markets here in which Zelyony Bazar, Dostyk Plaza, and Green Market are the famous ones. For the ones who are interested in art or paintings, it is a wonderful place to find artistic items, also you can get clothes, meats, fresh fruits, and goods.

Aktau

Aktau city is around 40 years old and is near the Caspian Sea. The beaches of the Caspian Sea give it a beauty comparable to none. The buildings present in this city are rare. Most of the halls, cinemas, cultural places, concert centres belong to the historical era and are a sight to visit. These types of places are spread all over the city and can be explored if you have time to explore the main attraction point of Kazakhstan. If you are a nature lover and like to visit green lawns, parks, or popular concert halls, you can roam on the roads of Aktau for hours.

Taraz

Another main attraction point to see in Kazakhstan is Taraz. To see mysterious places and ancient sites, this city is famous for its secrets that belong to the last century. There is a mausoleum in this city known as the Babaji Khatun famous for its dome shape and is divided into 16 parts. Taraz is a historical city situated near the Talas river. There are many museums in this city showcasing the rich historical treasure.

Lake Balkhash

 Lake Balkhash is situated in the north of the Aral Sea and is about 600 miles from the Aral Sea. The major source of electricity in Kazakhstan is Balkhash lake hydroelectric project. Because of its natural position, it is good for hydroelectric projects. Once in the past, the lake was the perfect breeding place for more than 20 types of fish. With time, many species of fish died due to the degrading quality of lake water. Many species like pike, aral, sazan, etc were reintroduced into the lake. The Eastern part of the lake water is salty as compared with the western part of the lake. This is one of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan.

Baikonur

Baikonur is the world’s largest and oldest space launch facility controlled by the Russian Federation. There are secret missile testing sites in Baikonur that are very important strategic places for Russia. Vostok 1 spacecraft, the historic space rocket in which Yuri Gagarin went to Moon and set his foot on the moon was launched from here. If you are interested in space and technologies then this place can be the best place to visit in Kazakhstan. Apart from this place, there are many other places to visit like Gagarin Statue or Cosmonaut Grove.

Semey

Also known as Semipalatinsk, it is the large and old city of Kazakhstan famous for its tourist attractions. Mainly the eastern region of the city has the most popular tourist attractions. The architectures and monuments of the city are quite fascinating and are to date preserved by the locals. If you are planning a trip to this magnificent city of Semey, there are many other places to visit in this city. Some of the best Russian arts can be seen at the Museum of History. For history lovers, this is the best place to visit in Kazakhstan. For a detailed tour, you can visit the Dostoevsky museum, the art museum, the Tarnybai mosque, and Resurrection Church.

Turgen Gorge

The place famous for trekkers, Turgen Gorge is a part of the renowned Ile Alatau National Park. Beautiful lakes, hilly meadows, dense green forests, and various waterfalls make this place a scene from movies. If you want to explore the beauty of this place thoroughly you can take a bike or go hiking. This place is near to Almaty and can be easily accessed by buses or trains. It is among one of the main attraction points in Kazakhstan.

Lake Kaindy

It’s a large lake of around 400m and is situated at the height of 2000 meters above sea level. In the strong earthquake of 1911, a huge landslide takes place in this area, and the result in the lake. The natural disaster also made a natural dam in the forest. The water of the lake submerged the whole forest and the temperature of the lake maximum goes to 6 degrees in the summers. This lake is a beautiful place and must be included in your list of best places to visit in Kazakhstan.

Tamgaly Tas

In Kazakhstan, religious rituals are conducted in open. Tamgaly Tas is an open-air sanctuary and its name means “written rocks”, as the rocks here are inscribed with the beautiful images of Buddha and scriptures of Tibetan. Around 5000 petroglyphs from the Bronze age at this place can really amaze you. If you want to visit a tourist place in Kazakhstan which is rich in history, then you can include this place in your bucket list of the best places to visit in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is full of monuments, old age buildings, and skyscrapers. The view of the setting sun on Caspian and large buildings trying to touch the sky makes this country a perfect blend of peace and modernization. Most of the places in Kazakhstan are photogenic and are like a setup for movies. Kazakhstan country is also claimed as the heart of Asia and the vacation in this country is soothing. If you are planning a trip to Kazakhstan, then you must know which are the best places to visit in Kazakhstan. We are sure that you will make your own list of the amazing places when you visit this wonderful gem of Asia.     

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