Astana

Astana, the impressive capital of Kazakhstan (which was named Nur-Sultan from 2019 to 2022), is a city that seems straight out of a science fiction movie. Built literally from scratch on the vast, windswept northern steppes since the late 1990s, it stands as the ultimate symbol of the country’s ambition and wealth. Here, world-renowned architects unleashed their imagination to create an urban landscape filled with ultra-modern skyscrapers, glass pyramids, and golden towers. Although its climate is extreme (it is the second-coldest capital in the world), Astana exudes a unique dynamism. Wander along its vast, immaculate avenues, admire the monumental buildings that defy gravity, and discover a landmark 21st-century city that bridges ancient nomadic culture with the ultimate futuristic future.