Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan that was actually built 10 years ago. That time not many people were eager to move from the former capital of Almaty to the new place. But now the city can be proud of a plenty of picturesque constructions some of which will be shown below.
Khan Shatyr is a strange-looking and giant construction that can’t help catching one’s eye.
The transparent tent which is 150 meters high was built in 2006-2010.
It is situated at the very edge of the city and is a real tent in the middle of the field.
It looks even more impressive at night when filled with flickering light.
It is not simple to overcome the desire to enter the place at a frosty winter night.
Here is the plan of the tent.
Welcome inside the construction.
Only a small part of the tent is used that is represented by 5 floors only.
The thing in the center is not a thermometer but an elevator.
Enjoying the view of the dome.
The contrast is amazing: palms growing inside look quite comfortable in spite of the fact there is a snowy storm and icy hell outside. When you are in the center and warm, you can still observe the snow through the transparent membrane of the dome. It feels really strange.
The small cabin is used to look around.
Views of the city all covered with snow.
The construction was built at the edge of the city. In future it will be surrounded by such towers. Right now only two of them are present.
It is planned to remove the houses in order the towers could be built instead.
Other views that can be seen from Khan Shatyr.
Bayterek is a monument and observation tower that 97 meters high is located 2 km away from Khan Shatyr.
The monument is meant to embody a folktale about a mythical tree of life and a magic bird of happiness: the bird, named Samruk, had laid its egg in the crevice between two branches of a poplar tree.
Bayterek was designed as a cultural center with a cafe and art gallery but it is practically empty inside.
The construction has two floors only with an elevator going right to the sphere.
An observation ground above.
The viewing platform features a gilded hand print of the right hand of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first President of the independent Republic of Kazakhstan.
Monument to the Congress of world religions that took place in 2003 in Astana.
via varandej
On the 23rd of photo: a monorail?
Very nice architecture. Also I consider the name of the town – Astana, one of the most inspired. I like it!
Isnpired? Lol, it means “capital-city”…
masonic signs everywhere
Where?
Really. Triangles and handprints are not the exclusive property of Freemasons. LMAO
Mongol signs I see, not freemason signs. I’m pretty sure the freemasons would not build monuments to a nomadic culture… LOL
On the one hand, I applaud this beautiful and imaginative construction. On the other hand, I am appalled that it comes at the expense of impoverishing the people and stealing from them their basic freedoms.
Unimpressed. Half-empty gaudy monuments to naked capitalist greed. And displacing poor people is de rigueur for bloated bureaucracies.
And the Prez has a giant’s hand and a troll’s brain.
I can’t believe that screen reads -25 C. Never in my life have I been to a place that cold.
Only -25 ? There are places in Russia with -60 C
Photos of some of them are on this server too, there ia thermometer on one building. Central heating tubes must be heated to prevent freezing of hot water 
Very impressive architecture. I hope that the owners of the displaced residences will be fairly compensated or relocated to fine accommodation.
Such a twisted society.
where’s borat?
Khan Shatyr is sorta reminiscent of Tatlin’s Monument to the Third International.
I’ve seen Mongols and people of the steppe and I’ve seen yurts, but that monument is a YURT DAMMIT!!
Pretty awesome!