Religion in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is often referred to as a crossroads of civilizations. Since ancient times, the territory of modern Kazakhstan has been a melting pot for a variety of religious beliefs and practices. Traces of Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Nestorianism, and Tengrianism have all been discovered within its borders. The spiritual landscape of Kazakhstan encompasses dozens of denominations and doctrines.

Today, Kazakhstan is a secular state that boasts more than 3,088 active religious organizations and communities representing 46 different faiths. Currently, there are 3,244 places of worship in the country, including churches, mosques, and other prayer houses. Kazakhstan is home to followers of nearly all world religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, as well as ancient polytheistic traditions and contemporary new religious movements.

Despite this rich tapestry of beliefs, the majority of the population identifies as Muslim, primarily adhering to Sunni Islam, alongside a significant number of adherents to Russian Orthodox Christianity.

Kazakhstan offers something to impress even the most seasoned travelers. Here are a few reasons why you should visit this remarkable land, rich in cultural traditions and stunning natural landscapes:

• The Almaty Region – Located in the southeast of the country, this region is famed for its majestic mountains. It is home to the former capital, Almaty, a city brimming with amusement parks, bazaars, shopping malls, and museums. You will find plenty to do in Almaty, with several days easily filled with fascinating excursions. Beyond the city, adventurous travelers will discover numerous locations for summer hikes or winter sports.

• The Current Capital, Astana – This city offers its own impressive attractions. Visit the largest mosque in Central Asia, Hazret Sultan, a grand structure with soaring minarets. Don’t miss “Khan Shatyr” (which translates as “King Tent” in Kazakh), the world’s largest tent-shaped shopping mall. Before venturing out to explore Kazakhstan’s nature reserves and national parks, you can enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Ishim River. Here, you’ll also have the opportunity to delve into Kazakhstan’s traditional cuisine through interactive culinary master classes. Throughout your visit, you’ll be accompanied by the spectacular sights of the modern capital, with its skyscrapers and uniquely designed shopping centers.

• Southern Kazakhstan – An ideal location to explore the history and ancient traditions of the Kazakh people. Visit the ancient city of Turkestan, founded in the 10th century, to marvel at the stunning Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Explore the archaeological site of Otrar, a once-thriving city before the Mongol invasion, which was one of Central Asia’s largest cities. In Sayram, you can literally touch history by visiting its many ancient mosques and mausoleums.

• Kazakhstan’s National Parks – These protected areas offer pristine, untouched nature where you can connect with the surroundings, admire magnificent views, and study the region’s flora and fauna. Kazakhstan boasts 13 national parks located across various parts of the country—east, southeast, central, and northern regions. Wherever you find yourself in Kazakhstan, you are never far from incredible natural landscapes with mountains, lakes, forests, valleys, and rivers to explore.

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.