Kazakhstan

Almaty, the Southern Capital

Nestled beneath the peaks of the Tian Shan mountains, Almaty is Kazakhstan's cultural and commercial heartbeat. The city blends Soviet-era boulevards with vibrant contemporary galleries, a booming restaurant scene and some of the finest bazaars in the region. Kok Tobe hill offers sweeping views over the urban skyline while Panfilov Park and its ornate cathedral provide a leafy respite from the city's lively pace.

Astana, the City of Tomorrow

The purpose-built capital Astana rises improbably from the flat steppe, its skyline a striking collection of futuristic towers, glass pyramids and golden domes that read more like a science fiction film set than a government seat. The Nur-Astana Mosque, the Khan Shatyr entertainment centre and the distinctive Baiterek monument are among the architectural showpieces that make the city one of Central Asia's most photographed destinations. An afternoon on the Left Bank reveals just how ambitiously Kazakhstan has reimagined its national identity in steel and glass.

Adventure, Culture and the Silk Road

Beyond the cities, Kazakhstan rewards the curious traveller with remarkable variety. The petroglyphs of Tamgaly speak to Bronze Age civilisations, while the ancient city of Turkestan and its stunning Yasawi Mausoleum recall the caravan routes that once connected China to Europe. Outdoors, the Altai mountains in the east offer trekking, skiing and white-water rafting, and the vast Caspian shoreline in the west provides a wholly unexpected coastal dimension to a landlocked nation.