<strong>Astana, Kazakhstan:</strong> Astana's Bayterek Tower stands 97 meters in height -- representing the year the city became the capital of Kazakhstan. The tower is open for tourists.
Astana, Kazakhstan: Astana's Bayterek Tower stands 97 meters in height -- representing the year the city became the capital of Kazakhstan. The tower is open for tourists.
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<strong>Amazing architecture:</strong> The sweeping lawns in front of the Akorda Presidential Palace in Astana provide a view of the city's skyline.
Amazing architecture: The sweeping lawns in front of the Akorda Presidential Palace in Astana provide a view of the city's skyline.
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<strong>Astana Ballet Theatre: </strong>The Astana Ballet Theatre opened in late 2016 to become the city's second major ballet theater.
Astana Ballet Theatre: The Astana Ballet Theatre opened in late 2016 to become the city's second major ballet theater.
STANISLAV FILIPPOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>The world stage: </strong>Astana is set to welcome thousands of international NGOs, companies, and governments during the upcoming Expo 2017 -- a global conference that will explore the future of energy.
The world stage: Astana is set to welcome thousands of international NGOs, companies, and governments during the upcoming Expo 2017 -- a global conference that will explore the future of energy.
Mike Pickup
<strong>New luxury: </strong>The Ritz-Carlton Astana arrives just in time for Expo 2017. It's one of the first international luxury hotels to touch down in the Kazakh capital.
New luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Astana arrives just in time for Expo 2017. It's one of the first international luxury hotels to touch down in the Kazakh capital.
The Ritz-Carlton Astana
<strong>New hotels: </strong>Opening in July, The St Regis Astana also aims to elevate the luxury hotel options in Kazakhstan's capital.
New hotels: Opening in July, The St Regis Astana also aims to elevate the luxury hotel options in Kazakhstan's capital.
The St Regis Astana
<strong>High-profile architects:</strong> Opened in 2010, the tent-like Khan Shatyr building is the brainchild of British architecture firm Foster and Partners.
High-profile architects: Opened in 2010, the tent-like Khan Shatyr building is the brainchild of British architecture firm Foster and Partners.
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<strong>Endless entertainment:</strong> Inside the massive 500-foot-tall entertainment center, there's a shopping center, monorail, flume ride and indoor beach.
Endless entertainment: Inside the massive 500-foot-tall entertainment center, there's a shopping center, monorail, flume ride and indoor beach.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Futuristic facades: </strong>Also known as the Kazakh National University of Arts, the Shabyt Art Palace resembles a blue bowl. Across seven floors, there are various lecture halls, artists' studios and concert halls.
Shabyt Art Palace —
Futuristic facades: Also known as the Kazakh National University of Arts, the Shabyt Art Palace resembles a blue bowl. Across seven floors, there are various lecture halls, artists' studios and concert halls.
Mike Pickup
<strong>Rich arts and culture:</strong> The facade of Astana's Central Concert Hall resembles flower petals. Opened in 2009, it seats 3,500.
Rich arts and culture: The facade of Astana's Central Concert Hall resembles flower petals. Opened in 2009, it seats 3,500.
Mike Pickup
<strong>Fostering diversity:</strong> Another work by Foster and Partners, the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Accord is hard to miss. The glass building opened in 2006 and has since played host to the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as a library, opera house and culture museum.
Fostering diversity: Another work by Foster and Partners, the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Accord is hard to miss. The glass building opened in 2006 and has since played host to the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as a library, opera house and culture museum.
Gilly Pickup