Steppe horizons, futuristic skylines and snow-capped Tian Shan peaks.
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, and much of it is open steppe. Astana is a planned capital of bold architecture such as the Bayterek Tower and Khan Shatyr, while Almaty, the old capital, sits beneath the mountains with leafy streets and the wooden Zenkov Cathedral. Nearby are Charyn Canyon, the Kolsai Lakes and Big Almaty Lake, and in the south the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan recalls the Silk Road.
Food is hearty and meat-heavy: beshbarmak, plov, horsemeat sausage and baursak fried bread, with tea poured often. Distances are huge, so overnight trains and domestic flights connect the regions, while a car or tour is best around Almaty. Late spring and early autumn are the best seasons; summer is hot on the steppe, and winter is severe, especially in Astana.
Best time to visit Kazakhstan
May, June, September.
Places to visit in Kazakhstan
Almaty: Kazakhstan's largest city, a green, cosmopolitan place with mountains on the doorstep and easy trips to lakes and canyons.
Astana: Kazakhstan's capital, a showcase of ambitious modern architecture built on the open steppe since the late 1990s.
Charyn Canyon: A dramatic red sandstone canyon east of Almaty, often compared to a smaller Grand Canyon, with a walk down to the river.
Turkistan: An ancient city of southern Kazakhstan, home to the turquoise-domed Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a major pilgrimage site.
Essentials
Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT)
Language: Kazakh and Russian; Russian dominates in cities
Plugs: Type C / F, 220 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+5
Tipping: Many restaurants add a service charge; otherwise 10% is fine
Getting around: Trains and domestic flights for distance; app-based taxis in cities
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking