Atyrau Bridge

The Atyrau Bridge was gifted to the city in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Akmola’s renaming to Astana. This striking bridge connects Central Park with the Esil (Ishim) River embankment, creating a vital link between two popular areas.

Inspired by nature, the covered section of the bridge is designed to resemble fish scales. Architects achieved this effect using nearly 2,500 metal petals, each with a unique shape. As you walk across the bridge, it feels as though you’re inside a giant fish. This intricate design isn’t just for aesthetics; it also provides effective protection against rain and wind.

Not only is it a pedestrian bridge, but it also features a bike path, which is popular among cyclists.

With a weight of 2,000 tons, the bridge’s sheer mass raised concerns about its structural integrity. To address these worries, after construction, a stress test was conducted: 12 trucks, each weighing between 14 and 18 tons, drove across it. The bridge passed the test with flying colors, ensuring its safety for all users.

Today, Atyrau Bridge is one of the most sought-after spots for photoshoots in Astana. The unique scaly design creates a captivating interplay of light and shadow, especially in the evenings when the bridge is illuminated. However, finding the perfect angle can be challenging, as the bridge is often crowded—particularly at night, when the lights bring the structure to life.

Here are a few of the country’s most remarkable natural and man-made wonders:

1. Lake Balkhash – The second largest non-drying saline lake in the world (after the Caspian Sea) and the 13th largest globally, covering an area of 18,428 square kilometers. The uniqueness of this lake lies in its division by a strait only 3 kilometers wide, resulting in two distinct sections: the shallow western part, fed by the Ili River and filled with fresh water, and the deeper eastern part, which is highly saline (with salinity levels ranging from 3.5 to 6 g/l). Balkhash, crescent-shaped, is one of the world’s warmest lakes, with its waters exhibiting a striking milky-white hue.

2. Charyn Canyon – Located 200 kilometers east of Almaty, this 154-kilometer-long canyon stretches along the Charyn River. Often compared to the Grand Canyon in the U.S., the Charyn Canyon’s “Valley of Castles” is particularly unique. Formed from sedimentary rock that is over 12 million years old, its towering cliffs rise to heights of 150-300 meters.

3. The Baikonur Cosmodrome – A one-of-a-kind complex of technical structures, covering an area of 6,717 square kilometers. The flight paths from Baikonur extend across thousands of kilometers, passing over Russia and neighboring countries. Baikonur was the launch site of the world’s first artificial Earth satellite, as well as the first artificial satellites of the Sun, Moon, and Venus. It was also from here that the first human ventured into space.

4. Astana’s Unique Architecture – The new capital of Kazakhstan, located on the left bank of the Ishim River, boasts buildings unlike any other, with no two structures alike.

5. The Karagiye Depression – One of the world’s lowest points on land, situated in Western Kazakhstan (Aktobe, Atyrau, and Mangistau regions). At 132 meters below sea level, it ranks as the fifth deepest depression on Earth, following the Dead Sea Depression, the Afar Depression, Lake Assal in Djibouti, the Turpan Depression in China, and the Qattara Depression in Egypt.

6. Borovoe – Also known as Burabay, this mountain resort boasts crystal-clear waters, with visibility down to a depth of 7 meters.

7. The Chimney of Ekibastuz GRES-2 – Recognized as the tallest in the world, this smokestack, standing at 420 meters, discharges emissions from the Ekibastuz power plant into the atmosphere and holds a place in the Guinness World Records.

8. Medeo – The highest-altitude skating rink in the world, located at 1,691.2 meters above sea level in Almaty.

9. Kok-Tobe – A hill in Almaty home to the world’s highest TV tower (from sea level), which is also one of the most earthquake-resistant structures globally.

10. Kazakhstan’s Stability – The country is renowned for its political stability and harmonious interethnic relations, making it a welcoming and peaceful destination for visitors.