Baikonur

Baikonur is a truly unparalleled place on the map of Kazakhstan—a pioneering spaceport of the world and the launch site that began humanity’s journey into space. From here, the first artificial Earth satellite was launched, and Yuri Gagarin embarked on his historic spaceflight. Today, Baikonur stands as one of modern Kazakhstan’s hallmark destinations.

Both the city and the cosmodrome next to it have long been shrouded in secrecy and restrictions. Understandably, this iconic launch site and the city, home to scientists and cosmodrome workers, were tightly controlled areas that were largely inaccessible to the public. Even its geographical location was a state secret. For example, when trains on the Moscow-Tashkent railway passed nearby, the city’s lights would be completely turned off to avoid detection by passengers. Although security has relaxed somewhat over time, special restrictions still apply.

The city and cosmodrome operate under dual administration and effectively follow dual laws: they are leased to the Russian Federation until 2050. Baikonur is recognized as a city of regional significance in Kazakhstan and a city of federal significance in Russia, which means Russian law applies to Russian citizens in Baikonur, while Kazakh law applies to Kazakh citizens.

Independent visits to Baikonur are prohibited; without an official pass, no one is allowed entry. To witness a rocket launch, visit operating and historical sites of the cosmodrome, or explore the museum, visitors must apply in advance for a tour and complete the required documentation.

The construction of this closed settlement, later known as the city of Leninsk, began in 1955, near the Tyuratam railway siding. Entry into the city was strictly prohibited for local residents. The population of Leninsk was made up of specialists from across the Soviet Union, all drawn to the country’s leading space complex. Officially, the city was renamed Baikonur in 1995. As of the end of 2018, about 75,000 residents call it home.

What are the must-see sites in the city?

• The Baikonur History Museum. Its exhibits cover the city’s and cosmodrome’s storied past and Kazakh traditions, showcasing rocket models, real artifacts, historical photos, documents, and various memorabilia.
• The “Science and Space” Monument and numerous other sculptures—especially the city’s many rocket models—are spread throughout Baikonur.
• Cosmonauts’ Alley. Each tree here was planted by cosmonauts before their missions. The oldest tree, planted by Yuri Gagarin, is a symbolic landmark.
• The Soyuz Ship Model, an authentic space vessel used for crew training during flight preparations.
• Monuments to Yuri Gagarin and M.K. Yangel, the visionary behind intercontinental ballistic missile development, and a nearby monument modeled after one of his rockets.
• The V.N. Chelomei International Space School (MKSH). This post-Soviet space school has its own museum and workshops where students create models and prototypes of spacecraft, launching these models on the school’s mini-cosmodrome. Many graduates go on to pursue careers in astronautics and space exploration.

Between organized tours, you can enjoy Baikonur’s sights at a leisurely pace. In the city center, you’ll find Baikonur’s version of a pedestrian “Arbat” on Korolev Street, along with a surprising number of more than 50 entertainment and dining establishments offering Kazakh and European cuisine, a cinema, bowling center, four parks, 20 squares, two memorials, and 19 monuments.

A visit to Baikonur would be incomplete without exploring the cosmodrome itself—the star attraction. Tours here are exclusively guided by Roscosmos employees, and all visitors are checked against pre-approved lists at the entrance. Due to the cosmodrome’s continuing security restrictions, only certain areas are accessible, and photography is limited. However, the accessible areas provide a fascinating glimpse into the grandeur of this facility.

There are three types of tours available at the cosmodrome:

• General Overview Tour. See the main launch pads and facilities, visit the cosmodrome’s history museum, and tour open-air exhibits.
• Unmanned Rocket Launch Tour. This includes all the sites on the overview tour, with the added excitement of witnessing the launch of a powerful unmanned rocket.
• Manned Rocket Launch Tour. Beyond the overview and unmanned launch activities, this tour includes a press conference and briefing for the space crew, a meeting with Roscosmos leadership, and, of course, watching the manned launch itself.

In addition to rocket launches, other must-see attractions at the cosmodrome include:

• The Baikonur Cosmodrome History Museum, a larger, expanded version of the museum in the city, with even more exhibits on the site’s origins, construction, and key events.
• The Buran Exhibit. This exhibit on one of the launch pads displays the “Buran” space shuttle, with a small museum inside dedicated to the history of crewed spaceflight.
• Cosmodrome Vehicle Exhibit. A collection of historic vehicles used as specialized transportation over the years.
• Gagarin’s and Korolev’s Quarters. The residences where Yuri Gagarin and the famed scientist stayed before Gagarin’s flight.
• Launch Pad 31, a replica of the historic platform from which Gagarin’s mission launched.
• The Energia-Buran Command Center, which directed the launch of the “Buran” shuttle.
• The Memorial to Fallen Rocket Engineers at Pad 41.
• Models of Soviet and Russian rockets displayed across the site.