The Contrasting Country of Kazakhstan
Typical Kazakhstan
Most people when they think of Kazakhstan they probably think first of Borat and then big open landscapes. Since we didn’t happen to see Borat in Kazakhstan we thought it best to use the landscape as an example. It is true…Kazakhstan is full of wide open spaces but…..
The typical Kazakhstan landscape
What we didn’t expect was modern cityscapes like this one in Astana. These two couldn’t be more contrasting examples of how Kazakhstan is changing. Astana has recently become the capital of Kazakhstan instead of Almaty. Let me tell you they are doing everything they can to make it an international city. From interesting architectural buildings to futuristic malls, Astana is on its way to making a name for itself on the world stage.
A not so typical Kazakhstan landscape, Bayterek Tower in Astana
Religion
Kazakhstan is made up of 2 main religions. Islam and Russian Orthodox Christianity. In many cities, such as Aktobe, you can find symbols of both throughout the cities. Below is the Russian Orthodox Church, which is located less than a kilometer from the Mosque.
Russian Orthodox Church in Aktobe, Kazakhstan
The Nur-Gasyr mosque marks the divide between the Old city and the new city. Both the Orthodox Church and the mosque were opened jointly as a show of religious solidarity by Kazakhstan’s president and Russia’s president in 2008.
City Mosque in Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Monuments
Monuments are common all over Central Asia. Weather in be in Kazakhstan, Russia or Mongolia, homage is paid to leaders and Warriors alike. Below is the beautifully designed Nazarbaev Park. It was opened in honour of Kazakhstan’s president.
Nazarbayev Park, Kazakhstan
Atyrau city monument in Kazakhstan
For more about Kazakhstan and our Mongol Rally Adventure check out our Adventures Page!
60 Responses to The Contrasting Country of Kazakhstan
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I have always wanted to visit Kazakhstan. In fact, this is where we were originally supposed to be placed for our Peace Corps service, so I think I’ve always been more intrigued by this country simply because I almost ended up living there. Beautiful photos!
JoAnna recently posted..The Art of Negotiation
That’s pretty cool JoAnna. Where did you end up going instead of Kazakhstan? It is true, just being told that you may be going to a place can spark an interest in it that never leaves you. We were supposed to go to North Korea this year, but it’s government put a halt on the press trip that was being organized. I had never really thought about going before until we were contacted, and now that I can’t go, I really want to get myself to North Korea!
We ended up serving in Kenya, which still holds a super special place in our hearts. Too bad North Korea didn’t work out – that would have been awesome!
JoAnna recently posted..Here’s a Question for You: Week 41
Really beautiful pictures !!! It’s awesome !
Thanks Remy, much appreciated!
Wonderful photos guys!
Thanks Mike, we appreciate you letting us know! Cheers.
Magnificent pictures, especially the colors in that Astana picture are amazing!
Vasco recently posted..Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Oahu
Thanks Vasco, Astana was quite a magnificent city visually and I enjoyed photographing it’s many landmarks. Watch out for an Astana photo story coming soon.
The building in the second photo is so cool looking! And I love the way the third photo is framed.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Drugs & Grunge: Another Side of Berlin
Thanks Christy, much appreciated. That building is wild isn’t it. Astana was a surprising city. We didnt’ know what to expect when entering the capital of Kazakhstan, but this modern and elegant city was not in our minds at all. It will rival Shanghai one day!
Wow — contrasts for sure. I’m obsessed with your gate photos!!
Abby recently posted..Michael Jackson Cirque premiere in Montreal
Thanks Abby, you said it. It’s a land of contrasts. The cities are growing rapidly while the country stays timeless.
Stunning photos! I think I need to visit…
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..It Ain’t Dirty, It Just Looks That Way
Thanks Raymond. It’s definitely a country worth visiting. I hope you make it there and let us know how you like it!
Gorgeous – I didn’t know what to expect but these are brilliant!
Andrea recently posted..5 Reasons to Love Switzerland Even Though it’s so Damn Expensive!
Thanks Andrea. Kazakhstan was a photographers dream. I’ll be posting more for sure in the coming weeks.
Almaty is a sister city of Tucson, where I live, and I met a delegation from Kazakhstan once. I definitely would love to see it after their description. Plus I reviewed “Apples are from Kazakhstan”, a comprehensive look at the country at A Traveler’s Library. I’ll bet you would love that book!
Vera Marie Badertscher recently posted..Travel to Egypt Changes Lives
Wow, that is a really cool fact Vera. I will definitely check out Apples are from Kazakhstan, Thanks for the recommendation. Cheers.
It is a really great post and awesome pictures of Kazakhstan.
I have never been there but have a very good friend form there. It should be a nice country to visit!
Hanna recently posted..What to do in Hawaii: Horseback riding.$37 for 1 hour horseback ride, Oahu, HI
Hi Hanna, lucky you having a friend there. It would be an awesome country to visit with the help of a local. Kazakhstan had some of the most friendly people we have encountered in our travels.
I’ve really wanted to visit Kazakhstan for the last few years. I just need to convince Scott. Great photos, guys!
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Travel Shot: No Hallucinogens Needed
Hi Christy, it is an interesting place to visit. I do suggest having your own transportation. We loved driving a car through it, it has inspired us go back to Europe in the future, buy a cheap car and drive ourselves around as we camp. We loved it! maybe that is what you and Scott can do too. There was so much freedom in having wheels.
Superb photos again! The place reminded me of my visit to inner mongolia last year. Some scenery looked rather familiar. Thanks for sharing!
Wai Tsui recently posted..Hong Kong Shopping Guide – How to Shop Like a Local
Hi Wai, thanks for the comment. I can imagine it would be a lot like Inner Mongolia. We found Mongolia to be very similar in parts as well. Now, we must get ourselves to Inner Mongolia to complete the tour of the region. cheers!
wonderful picture
Thanks Jouer, we appreciate you stopping by.
Beautiful pictures. My favorite is the typical Kaz landscape – it’s looking really impressive!
Bob @ Hypnosis Downloads recently posted..Establishing Rapport
Thanks Bob, the Kazakhstan landscape really was incredible. It would be a tough country to live in with it’s extreme weather patterns, but it makes it beautiful to visit.
I feel like when the red tape and bribes in the Central Asian republics are under control, their tourism numbers will explode. I’ve always been intrigued by The Silk Road.
Erik recently posted..Photo of the Day- Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, Montana
Hi Erik, you are right. The bribes and the red tape can be frustrating when traveling through these countries. The tourism industry will benefit from them getting it under control. However, now is an amazing time to visit because tourism hasn’t exploded yet. It still feels untouched.
Awesome photos as always
What is that big tall trophy looking thing? haha
cailin recently posted..7 best things to do in San Francisco
Hi Cailin, It’s just a tower in the middle of the city. Sort of like the CN Tower. Probably a bit of a radio tower, but mostly a tourist attraction. You can take an elevator up to look over the city and it is all over country on billboards. (well at least in other cities. There aren’t any billboards on the non-existant roads:-)) This tower has sort of become it’s national identity.
Cool – I hadn’t seen the night shots of Astana yet! Can’t wait to go back there…without driving!
Sherry Ott recently posted..Short on time in London? Stop at a Museum!
Hi Sherry. Too funny, We want to go back and do it all over again in a car, just not in such a rush. We felt that its the best way to see this country… in a car, but it’s good to have another voice letting people know that driving isn’t for everyone. Thanks and talk to you soon!
These are incredible!
Wow! These pictures are amazing. I actually don’t think I have ever seen pictures of Kazakhstan before. It looks beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jillian recently posted..Project 365 – Day 57
Thanks Jillian, Glad we could share a little bit of Kazakhstan before. We didn’t know anything about it before going either.
Good photo taster for the country. I’m tempted myself now.
John recently posted..Trail gazing
Glad to hear it John. It’s definitely a country worth visiting.
Wow gorgeous pictures!!
Angela recently posted..A trip, a photo – A glimpse of Islam in Tehran
those are some nice photos that one with the lights looks photoshopped
Hi Henry,
Thanks for stopping by and I am glad you enjoyed the photos. The night shot of Astana was post processes a little. Some dodging and burning and a little tweak on the vibrance. Other than that it is au natural.
i love those photos there are beatiful!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Lilly, much appreciated.
Isn’t amazing how places just keep surprising us?? Now I have to find some Kazakhstan literature!
Isn’t it amazing how places just keep surprising us?? Now I have to find some Kazakhstan literature for my Read Around the World project–any ideas? I’d appreciate it! http://www.50plusandontherun.com/2011/10/read-around-world.html
You are so right. What we love about travel is how we can be surprised over and over again. It is difficult to become jaded when seeing the world because everywhere has something different to offer. Kazakhstan was truly special.
Don’t miss Apples are from Kazakhstan. And feel free to check atravelerslibrary.com for travel lit.
Thanks so much for the information, we will be sure to check it out, we are always looking for more books to read.
Great photos! I’m moving to Kazakhstan for work. Can’t wait! I enjoyed your talk at Meet Plan Go Toronto!
Wow! Not at all what you expect to see when you think of Kazakhstan. It might be due to the “stan” factor.
Isn’t that the truth. It wasn’t what we had expected either. We didn’t know much about the country before driving through it, but now we love it and look forward to going back!
Amazing photography guys! You’ve shown us the beauty and colors of Kazakhstan through your pictures!
Thanks Shirelene. I am so glad that you liked it. I hope that we can inspire at least a few people to go to Kazakhstan.
These photos are absolutely incredible! So many places you guys inspire me to go!
Thanks Dayna. We never would have thought that Kazakhstan would be so interesting ourselves. We were lucky to be able to visit it on the Mongol Rally.
Wow! The Astana photo is amazing! Had no idea!
Thanks. Astana is stunning isn’t it. We were blown away by that city. Such a surprise.
Very nice pictures! Will link to them on my site, in time.