Kazakhstan has an area of 2.7249 million square kilometers, accounting for about 2% of the Earth’s land area. It is the world’s largest landlocked country and straddles Asia and Europe, with the Ural River as the boundary. Kazakhstan has a total border length of over 10,500 kilometers. The country has complex terrain, mainly plains and lowlands, with higher elevations in the southeast and lower ones in the northwest. The western and southwestern regions are the lowest.

The Caspian Lowland slopes southward toward the Caspian Sea, dipping 28 meters below sea level, while the Karagiye Basin is 132 meters below sea level. Elevations rise southward to form the Ustyurt Plateau and the Karatau and Aktau Mountains on the Mangistau Peninsula, with the latter reaching 555 meters. In the northeast, the Turan Plain transitions through the Kazakh Upland to the Tian Shan. The Kazakh Upland connects with the South Siberian Plain. The east and southeast are mountainous with intermountain basins, featuring ranges like the Altai, Tarbagatai, Dzungar Alatau, and Ili Alatau, and the Tian Shan.

The Altay in Kazakhstan splits into the South and North Altay, with elevations of 2,300–2,600 meters and Belukha Peak at 4,506 meters. The Dzungar Alatau, 450 kilometers long and 100–350 kilometers wide, is divided by the Koksu and Boratar Rivers into the North and South Dzungar Alatau, with Besbakan Peak at 4,464 meters. The Tian Shan, in southeastern Kazakhstan, borders China and Kyrgyzstan. Its snow-capped and glacier-covered peaks include Khan Tengri at 6,995 meters, Kazakhstan’s highest. Read more about Kazakhstan attraction

Country Name: The Republic of Kazakhstan ( for short Kazakhstan )

Area: 2，724，900 square kilometers

Population: 20.286 million

Official languages: Kazakhstan language (state)

                                 Russian (official)

Capital: Astana

National Museum of Kazakhstan

The National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana is a must-visit for anyone interested in the rich history and culture of the country. The museum's modern design and impressive architecture perfectly complement the vast collection of exhibits, ranging from ancient artifacts to contemporary art. The interactive displays and detailed presentations make learning about Kazakhstan's heritage both engaging and informative. Highlights include the Golden Hall with its treasures from the ancient Scythians and the section dedicated to the country's nomadic traditions. The museum is well-organized, with friendly staff and plenty of English-language information. Highly recommend for history buffs and curious travelers. Read More

Ascension Cathedral

The Ascension Cathedral, also known as the Zenkov Cathedral, is located in the heart of Almaty, at the center of Panfilov Park. This Russian Orthodox Baroque-style cathedral, consecrated in 1907, cathedral is 56 metres tall and claimed to be the world's second-largest wooden cathedral. Remarkably, it was constructed without a single nail, using only adjacent wooden beams. The facade is ornately decorated with uniquely vibrant colors. Don't miss the chance to enter for free and admire its stunning frescoes and artworks. Read More

Bayterek Tower

The Bayterek Tower stands at the heart of Astana's "New City," constructed after Astana became the national capital. It has swiftly emerged as a modern symbol of both the city and Kazakhstan. Functioning as an observation tower, it features a viewing platform within a golden globe at its peak. The tower boasts a striking and distinctive design that draws inspiration from Kazakh traditions. Its golden glass gives visitors a yellow-tinted view of the surroundings. Perhaps the most unique highlight is the golden handprint of the first president on a special platform in the middle of the top viewing area, where visitors can go to see it and place their own hands on it. Read More

KarLag / Museum of Political Repression Victims’ Memory of the Dolinka Settlement

In the 1940s nearly 70% of the population of KarLag were Germans, descendents of the Volga Germans who under Stalin’s orders were deported to Siberia and central Kazakhstan when Hitler invaded Poland, and were interned in hard labor camps entirely on the basis of their origins. Karaganda was the site of one of the principal gulags of the Stalinist era. KarLag (all the hard-labor camps in the area around Karaganda) was set up in order to furnish the Karaganda area’s many coal mines with a workforce composed of prisoners. All Volga German scholars and scientists were interned. What ensued was a rebellion against the intellectual death of penal labor in the mines. With the few resources at their command, the prisoners managed to hold concerts and put on plays to celebrate holidays. Many of the scholars who were deported here stayed on in Karaganda even after the gulag was closed in 1959, making a significant contribution to the city’s cultural growth in the 1960s and 1970s. Read More

Kazakhstan Travel Tips

When traveling to Kazakhstan, it’s essential to be prepared with some key tips. The local currency is the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT), with banknotes in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 tenge. While credit cards like Visa are accepted in cities, cash is still widely used, especially in rural areas. For internet access, mobile data is cheap and widely available. You can purchase a local SIM card from providers like Beeline, Kcell, or Tele2 at the airport or shopping malls. 

The best time to visit depends on your interests: summer (June–August) is great for outdoor activities, while spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists.