Northern Kazakhstan

Region

The steppe of the north, with the modern capital in the middle. Astana has futuristic buildings like the Baiterek tower and Khan Shatyr, the Burabay lakes and pine hills are a favourite escape, and Karaganda has the memorials of the Soviet labour camps. Winters are long and very cold.

Northern Kazakhstan Karagandy ZooAstana ArenaLake TengizNur-Astana MosqueHazrat Sultan MosqueAstana OperaBurabay National ParkKarkaraly National ParkUlytau (range)Astana Grand MosqueBayanaul National ParkMashkhur Jusup MosqueKokshetau National ParkKorgalzhyn (lake)SarykopaBuiratau National ParkCathedral of Our Lady of Fatima, KaragandaIndependence Square, AstanaKoybagarLake BurabayLake JasybayNational Museum of the Republic of KazakhstanZerendi (lake)Otan Qorgaushylar MonumentZhakiya Kazhi MosqueSergeyev DamZaural’skoye PlatoZhamantuz, Aksu City AdministrationKarlag MuseumUlytau national parkSaryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern KazakhstanAstanaPetropavlKaragandaKostanayTemirtauPavlodarKarkaralyBaiterek (monument)KokshetauJezkazganEkıbastūzBalkhashArkalykRudnySatbayevShchuchinskStepnogorskAbaySaranAtbasar

Northern Kazakhstan essentials

Country: Kazakhstan
Driest months: Jan-Mar
Pay in: Tenge (Т)
Language: Kazakh
Emergency: 102

Where to Go in Northern Kazakhstan#

City Astana AstanaCapital city of Kazakhstan City Karaganda KaragandaMajor city in Karaganda region, Kazakhstan City Pavlodar PavlodarIrtysh River city in the northeast City Kostanay KostanayCity in Kazakhstan, administrative center of region City Petropavl PetropavlCity with significant oil industry History Baiterek (monument) Baiterek (monument)Tall modern tower symbolizing Kazakhstan's capital Nature Lake Tengiz Lake TengizLarge saline steppe lake and Important Bird Area Nature Burabay National Park Burabay National ParkScenic Kazakh park of lakes, forests, and resorts Nature Karkaraly National Park Karkaraly National ParkKazakh national park of forests, steppe, and lakes. Nature Ulytau (range) Ulytau (range)Isolated granite mountain range in central Kazakhstan Nature Bayanaul National Park Bayanaul National ParkRocky steppe park with lakes and granite formations Nature Kokshetau National Park Kokshetau National ParkScenic national park with forests, lakes, and hiking

Regions & Cities#

Astana Explore Astana Astana stages modernism with Bayterek, glass pavilions and Khan Shatyr’s translucent tent; visitors come for bold architecture, expansive boulevards and museums that tell Kazakhstan’s steppe story. Petropavl Explore Petropavl On the Ishim River near the Russian border, Petropavl shows wooden Orthodox churches, Soviet-era squares, and wide steppe beyond; visitors pass through for cross-border travel, regional markets, and stark winter landscapes. Karaganda Explore Karaganda Karaganda remembers coal and Soviet industry: mining museums, austere monuments and the Karlag Gulag memorial draw history-minded visitors and photographers of industrial landscapes and steppe. Kostanay Explore Kostanay On the Tobol River plain, Kostanay draws visitors to regional museums, Soviet‑era architecture and the surrounding Kazakh steppe; agricultural fairs, river walks and hearty rye breads are everyday reasons to stop. Temirtau Explore Temirtau Heavy industry shapes Temirtau: steelworks, Soviet-era blocks and monuments to miners. Pavlodar Explore Pavlodar Pavlodar follows the Irtysh with tree-lined promenades, Soviet monuments and river ferries; visitors come for fishing, regional museums and drives into agricultural steppe. Karkaraly Explore Karkaraly Karkaraly National Park and its granite peaks draw hikers, lake swimmers and Soviet-era sanatoriums; expect pine forests, steppe views and lakes where locals fish in summer. Baiterek (monument) Explore Baiterek (monument) In Astana’s city centre, the Baiterek monument rises with a golden sphere and observation deck; visitors ride the elevator for elevated views of the capital’s planned avenues and government buildings.

Northern Kazakhstan at a Glance#

Local Time
11:21 PM
GMT+5
Population
5,341,009

Best Things to Do in Northern Kazakhstan#