Baiterek Tower
Бәйтерек
Astana's city emblem: a 97-metre white tower crowned with a golden glass sphere, inspired by the Kazakh myth of the Tree of Life and the bird's golden egg.
Baiterek Tower was completed in 2002 and is Astana's most iconic landmark, standing right in the middle of Nurzhol Boulevard, the central axis of the Left Bank. Its design draws on a Kazakh folk legend: the mythical bird Samruk laid a golden egg in the crown of Baiterek, the Tree of Life, and inside that egg lies humanity's hope. The tower stands 97 metres tall, symbolising the move of the capital in 1997. The golden sphere at the top is about 22 metres in diameter and houses a 360-degree observation deck. Take the lift up for views along the entire city axis: east toward the Presidential Palace Ak Orda and the Palace of Peace and Accord, and west toward Khan Shatyr. At the centre of the observation deck is a gilded handprint, said to be the right hand of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country's first president; visitors place their own hands on it and make a wish. The base has a small aquarium and exhibition halls. Admission: adults approx. 2,500 tenge (check on site). Getting there: located in the Left Bank city centre, so taxis are easy to find; you can also walk along Nurzhol Boulevard, which links Khan Shatyr and Ak Orda east to west. Going up in the late afternoon is best, as the tower's lighting changes at night.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–22:00
Nearby sights
- Nurzhol Boulevard
- Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall
- Nur-Astana Mosque
- Ak Orda Presidential Palace
- Triumph of Astana
- Astana Circus
- Astana Opera
- Atameken Map of Kazakhstan