City Introduction

Astana, originally named as Akmola, is the capital of Kazakhstan a Eurasian country; therefore, it is known as the heart of the Eurasian continent. In addition, it is also one of the world's youngest capitals, and is the most modern city in Central Asia. Located in the central but a little north-biased areas of Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan is about 1,300 kilometers away from the former capital Almaty. Ishim River runs through the city, and the city has a pleasant climate in the four seasons, with good ecological environment, which is a major industrial and agricultural production base and the national railway transport hub in Kazakhstan. In such a short period of 13 years, Astana has developed from a mere desert town of 200,000 people into an emerging modern city, with its growing influence at home and abroad. Furthermore, it is a microcosm of the rapid development of Kazakhstan, and has bided for the World Expo 2017 and other international events, with increasing international status.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

After Kazakhstan became independent in 1991, the city was renamed as Akmola (Aqmola, meaning a white tomb). In 1995, to make the northern areas mainly resided by Russians have more Kazakhstan features, the Kazakhstan government made Akmola prepared as the new capital. In 1997, Kazakhstan moved the capital from the Almaty to Akmola, and also renamed it into the current name of Astana. While Almaty was the capital, the Government of Kazakhstan ran into a lot of trouble, for example, there were some risks encountered for Almaty during an earthquake, and the expansion of land is not convenient, and Almaty is too close to the Kyrgyz border. So, the Kazakh government believed that it’s a better decision to move the capital to Astana.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Astana is located at the vast semi-desert grassland in the north-central Kazakhstan, standing close to the Ishim River. The reason for the expansion of Astana is because Astana is situated at the northern and central grassland of Kazakhstan, through which the Ishim River runs in the middle, making the scenery very magnificent and charming. The old district of Astana is located in the north side of the Ishim River while the new district at the south of the River. Astana has the average altitude of 347 meters (1,138 feet), and covers an area of 300 square kilometers.

 

 

 

 

Climate

It enjoys a typical continental climate, with the average temperature of -29℃ to -15℃ in January, and the average temperature of 25-35℃ in July.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Network

The Internet in Kazakhstan is operated at a common speed but at a higher price.

Post Office

The postage for mailing a post card back to China is about RMB 10, and it takes about 20-30 days to reach the destination."

Information of Embassy and Consulate

Address: 12,Baitasov Street, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Postal Code: 050010

Duty Phone: 7017292938

Fax: 2700227

E-mail: chinaconsul_alm@mfa.gov.cn

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

Is a visa interview needed? Yes.

Recommended handling time: complete the handling formalities within one month before departure.

Entries: 1-3 entries according to the need of the applicant.

Ordinary visa

Applicable to passport holders departing from China (including Hong Kong and Macao) or other countries to Kazakhstan.

Visa types: Valid travel visa with 1-3 entries.

Application fee: RMB 140 for one entry, RMB 20 for two entries and RMB 560 for three entries;Duration of stay: 30 days; the applicant is not allowed to stay in Kazakhstan over 90 days in any period of a year.

Application processing duration: If the documents are complete, the application will be handled within 5 working days from the date of submission thereof, and for expedited visa within 3 working days from the date of submission thereof but the application is also required to submit "Astana Airline" ticket. Travelers are advised to set aside more time so as to avoid any unexpected situations.

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

The currency unit of Kazakhstan is Tenge, and RMB 1 is equivalent of about 24 Kazakh tenges.

UnionPay

ATM with UnionPay logo or with a HALYK bank logo in Kazakhstan can be used to withdraw local cash.

Credit Card

Credit card can be conveniently used at some major supermarkets or higher-end hotels in larger cities.Please confirm with your card-issuing bank the currency conversion fee to be charged specifically and credit card payment fees may be charged by vendors.

Tips

Generally, you can give porters and hotel waiters the tip of about two dollars and higher-level restaurants can charge 10% of the amount as a tip."

Religion

Astana residents mostly believe in Islam (Sunnite), eastern orthodoxy, Christianity and Buddhism.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

When using the domestic phone card to dial Kazakhstan mobile numbers, you additionally need to dial "007", and for the domestic phone numbers you also need to additionally dial "+86." When using Kazakhstan local phone cards to dial local phone numbers, you just additionally dial "8" but need to additionally dial "0086" for the Chinese phone numbers.

 

 

 

 

Notes

Taboo Customs

Kazaks eat neither pork nor animal blood. As a guest in a Kazakh family, you should sit cross-legged on the ground in the yurt, without taking off your shoes, and you should not make the legs straight. You can’t cross a rope tied to livestock, or a table cloth used for having a meal. When entering a church, men are not allowed to wear shorts and women are not allowed to wear body-exposing but instead have on a long dress."

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Like any other Muslim nations, Kazakhs also use the Islamic calendar. About March 20 of each year they celebrate Nowruz Festival, namely Kazakhs’ Spring Festival. During the festival, each family will prepare Nowruz meals, sing Nowruz songs, and hug each other to celebrate the new spring. The ninth month in the Islamic calendar is Ramadan, during which people will eat no food during the day. After the end of Ramadan they start to celebrate the Id al-fitr. 70 days After the Id al-fitr, the local people will celebrate Corban Festival that is the New Year of the Islam. This is the big festival for which every family will slaughter livestock.