Kazakhstan's tourism industry is expanding, and the country is becoming increasingly attractive. Apart from the beautiful sites that can be found all around the country, Kazakhstan is a very safe place to visit. This is one of the things about Kazakhstan you should know before travelling. Kazakhstan, like its neighbors Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, has been classified as a Level 1 country by the US Department of State, making it one of the safest nations in the world to visit! The country is seen as safer than locations such as France and Germany, both of which are classified as Level 2 countries.

Kazakhstan is attracting an increasing number of tourists, and almost all of them say they feel comfortable there. Foreign visitors to Kazakhstan are frequently greeted warmly and generously by the Kazakh people. Some may argue that the country is not safe because President Nazarbayev ruled the country for 29 years without being challenged. Despite this, the country has been quite calm over the years. Is this to say that nothing unpleasant ever happens in Kazakhstan? Obviously not.

Theft and small crime do occur, although foreigners are rarely involved. Road cops, on the other hand, can be corrupt and ask for a bribe, even if they are not hazardous. This is especially true if you are a foreigner. Foreigners driving in Kazakhstan frequently describe being stopped four to five times in the same day by greedy police officers who demand money.

When capturing images or videos, be cautious. Taking images of airport facilities, military and security installations, and border areas is prohibited. Taking photos near some government buildings is also prohibited. Some establishments, such as larger stores and supermarkets, prohibit photography. If you are filming protests, you could be arrested.

Drug offenses carry harsh penalties, including lengthy prison sentences. Serious crimes, such as murder, may be punishable by death.

If you plan to live or work in Kazakhstan for an extended amount of time or marry there, you may need to obtain formal paperwork before traveling. Before you travel, make contact with Kazakhstan's nearest embassy or consulate.

Always register using your passport or a certified copy of your passport. Police identity checks are common. It is prohibited to drive if your blood alcohol level is higher than 0.01%.

Dual nationality is not recognized in Kazakhstan. This may limit the amount of consular assistance you can receive. If you are a dual Australian-Kazakh national, you may be required to serve in the military if you visit Kazakhstan. Before you travel, learn about the potential consequences.

You must consider the weather before visiting Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's weather is very predictable, thanks to the steppes, which help to define the seasons. In the winter, it can be rather chilly, and in the summer, it can be quite hot. You won't have to worry about rain because there isn't much of it throughout the year.

Summer, between July and August, is the greatest time to visit Kazakhstan because the weather is pleasant. It does become hot, but not to the point of being unbearable. The weather in the area is ideal for visitors during this time of year, allowing you to enjoy and explore the best of the city to the utmost. If you're looking for adventure, these months are also ideal for hiking, as they provide better visual splendor around the country.

Kazakhstan is also worth visiting in the months of April to June and September to October. If you want to travel on a budget and avoid the heat, this is the best time to visit Kazakhstan. In these months, the mountains are lush and picturesque, and some ski slopes open up in September and October!

The majority of places in Kazakhstan prefer cash transactions. As a result, it is critical that you bring adequate cash with you on your vacation. Cash is useful in a variety of situations, from local small grocery stores to fine dining establishments. Please familiarize yourself with the local currency before traveling and bring the appropriate amount of cash. Kazakhstan uses the Kazakh Tenge, with 1 USD equaling 370TEN in October 2018.

Many banks and organizations across the country offer easy exchange of Euros and US Dollars. Just keep in mind that, with the exception of Russian Rubles, they aren't huge admirers of their neighbors' currencies. ATMs are widespread in the larger towns, and many places in Almaty accept credit cards. However, take cash with you anytime you go to the countryside.

The tourism business is gradually improving: guides are becoming more knowledgeable, more tourists are arriving, and prices are falling. In Kazakhstan, transportation accounts for a large portion of the tour fee, but if you join a scheduled group trip (which was previously unavailable due to a lack of tourists), you can save a lot of money and receive a great deal. Furthermore, getting there is an important part of the journey.

Kazakhstan is large - about 1,865 miles (3,000 kilometers) at its widest point – so plan ahead of time where you want to travel and how you want to get there.

Kazakhstan's biggest cities are connected by air, which shortens the longest journeys. International travelers may be more familiar with Air Astana, but their low-cost carrier branch, FlyArystan, copies most of the route network at lower pricing. Whether you choose one of these two, SCAT, or Qazaq Air, you can fly in Kazakhstan with confidence, as all of the country's airlines have been removed off the EU Safety List of banned/restricted airlines as of 2018.

Kazakhstan's rail network is an attractive option for medium- to long-distance excursions. European-built high-speed routes connect Nur-sultan, Almaty, and Kyzylorda. Other lines are served by the more conventional platskart (3rd-class open-plan cars) and kupe (2nd-class four-person private couchettes) carriages, which, while not saving much time over road travel, provide significantly greater comfort.

Intercity bus and marshrutka (minibus) services are the most common options for short- to medium-distance excursions. It's often a game of chance whether you'll be seated in a plush new vehicle or a rusted hunk of junk that's been chugging along the same route since Stalin departed town. Minibus services will typically depart more frequently and provide a more comfortable journey, although coach service tickets will be less expensive.

There's always the shared taxi for anything else. The only way to get to rural towns or areas that aren't commonly served is to pay for a seat in a private automobile that waits outside of bus and train stations until it fills up. Though this may seem weird to Western visitors, it is a fairly regular feature of life in Kazakhstan and will be a must if you want to get a good understanding of the country. Most shared taxis will also hire you out as a private taxi if you don't want to wait for it to fill up or need to go somewhere that isn't covered by public transportation. Prepare to haggle, and acquire a local opinion on reasonable rates to your destination ahead of time. This is one of the things about Kazakhstan you should know before travelling.

Kazakhstan is a multicultural country with people from all over the world, as previously stated. It's actually one of the most diverse countries I've ever visited, with 126 ethnic groups inhabiting the country. Because of Kazakhstan's, admittedly tragic, history, the two largest ethnic groups are Kazakh and Russian.

Kazakhstan was the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic from 1936 to 1991, and it was one of the Soviet Union's transcontinental component countries. Up to 40% of Kazakhs starved to death or fled the nation in the 1930s. Kazakhstan eventually became home to nearly every ethnic group that had ever been under Russian control.

The Kazakh people are quite accepting of outsiders, and the country is a religiously and ethnically diverse country that values tolerance. Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Germans, Tatars, Koreans, and others, the majority of whom speak their own languages and practice their own religions (the official languages of Kazakhstan are Kazakh and Russian).

Traditional Kazakh cuisine is the Kazakh people's traditional cuisine. Mutton and horse meat, as well as other milk products, are the focus. Kazakhs have been herders for hundreds of years, raising fat-tailed sheep, Bactrian camels, and horses and relying on them for transportation, clothing, and sustenance. The nomadic lifestyle of the country has had a significant impact on cooking techniques and major ingredients. Most cooking processes, for example, are designed to keep food fresh for a long time. There is a widespread practice of salting and drying meat to extend its shelf life, and sour milk is preferred since it is simpler to keep in a nomadic lifestyle.

The primary ingredient of Kazakh cuisine has traditionally been meat in various forms, and traditional Kazakh cooking is based on boiling. The most popular meats are horse and mutton, which are usually served in huge uncut portions that have been boiled. Kazakhs took special care of horses destined for slaughter, keeping them aside from other animals and overfeeding them to the point where they were unable to move.

While mutton and horse meat are common in Kazakhstani cuisine, it is vital to be aware of these foods if you are not accustomed to them. However, if you are a true adventurer who enjoys walking around new areas, you should let yourself get lost in Kazakhstan's cities and sample some of the world's most delectable dishes. Beshbarmak, a boiled horse or mutton meat dish, and Kazy, a type of sausage, are two typical Kazakh meals. This is one of the things about Kazakhstan you should know before travelling.

Kazakhstan's cities are a combination of goofy and chic, with hipster coffee roasters and craft brewers, Russian mansions with gingerbread trim, starchitect-designed landmarks, and the world's largest tent. Visitors tend to stick to Nur-sultan (known as Astana between 1998 and 2019), the capital city, which was purpose-built to demonstrate the country's wealth, and Almaty (Kazakhstan's largest city), which is noted for its old-school European boulevard vibes. A long weekend in Almaty offers the ideal combination of markets and museums during the day, late-afternoon people-watching strolls around pedestrian streets, and wonderful meals paired with a great craft beer in the nights.

Nur-Sultan is known for its futuristic architecture and skyline, which rivals that of Dubai. Several universities, an opera, a symphony orchestra, museums, and shopping malls are among the city's educational and cultural institutions. 10 President Nursultan Nazarbayev's efforts to make Nur-Sultan a culturally advanced city in Central Asia have resulted in a city that is notably modern. The city has spent billions of dollars hiring international architects, resulting in a unique mix of contemporary design with Kazakh flair in Nur-Sultan. The Presidential Palace, Parliament House, and the Supreme Court are among the city's numerous outstanding government structures.

Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest city and served as the country's capital until 1997. The city continues to have a significant impact on the cultural and economic affairs of the country. Almaty is located in Kazakhstan's southeast corner, 40 kilometers north of Kyrgyzstan. Almaty means "apple city," and the city has a diverse selection of apple trees because to its temperate environment. The Central State Museum is Almaty's most visited museum, with a variety of fascinating displays ranging from Genghis Khan to current Kazakhstan. The museum is one of Central Asia's largest museums. The Central State Museum is open to the public from 9.30 a.m. to 17.30 p.m.

Kazakhstan is much more than deserts and steppe, as previously said. There are also some spectacular lakes to see! One of these is Kaindy Lake, which you can see in the article's featured image. The picturesque Kolsai Lakes are close to Kaindy Lake. The Kolsai Lakes are a series of three alpine lakes located between 1700 and 2650 meters above sea level. The lakes are crystal clean and nestled in a lush forest, bordered by cliffs and the Northern Tien Shan Mountains' snow-capped peaks and forested slopes.

The three lakes are almost parallel to one another. The first lake is at an altitude of 1700 meters, while the second lake is at a higher altitude of 2500 meters, requiring a hike higher in the mountains. The third lake, at 2700 meters above sea level, is the highest of the three.

Those who have visited these regions at least once will never forget their beauty and tranquility. The sky and a seductive picture of a mountain range are reflected in the water's flawless surface while it is completely silent. Lakes bewitch you literally, surrounded by rocks, woodlands, Alpine meadows, and entire glades of gentle - olive mountain colors.

If you enjoy shopping, Almaty and Astana are ideal destinations for you. Khan Shatyr is a 140.000 m2 transparent tent at a height of 150 meters. A shopping and entertainment center including a food court, a theater, a minigolf course, a park, and an indoor beach resort is located within the tent. There is, in fact, a beach! The Sky Beach is a sand and tropical plant-filled aqua park. Because the beach's environment is similar to that of a natural maritime climate, summer at Khan Shatyr never ends!

The tent-like cable-net structure, which rises 150 meters from an elliptical base to form Astana's tallest peak, is placed at the northern end of the new city axis. Within an ETFE dome, the structure encloses an area of almost 100,000 square meters, with breathtaking views of the city and the Steppes beyond. An urban-scaled park, as well as a wide range of entertainment and recreational amenities, including stores, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, and flexible spaces that may accommodate a diverse program of events and exhibitions, are all contained within it. The several levels create undulating terraces, with the topmost terrace serving as a water park.

The Center is a major new civic, cultural, and social arena for Astana residents, bringing together a diverse range of activities within a sheltered climatic framework that allows for year-round comfort.

For Kazakhs, Nauryz is a significant celebration that celebrates the start of a new year. It is observed for several days beginning on March 21st, the day of the spring equinox. Nauryz, which means 'new day,' has been honored throughout the Great Steppes since antiquity. Because this festival is celebrated in many countries, it represents goodwill and riches, happiness and love, and a wonderful day of camaraderie. This is one of the things about Kazakhstan you should know before travelling.

During the Nauryz celebrations, previous wrongdoings are forgiven and forgotten, and everyone makes a wish to leave all bad things behind in the New Year. Festivals are held in both large and small cities and communities.

Traditional yurts are constructed in city centers, with lavish tables spread out in each. Many concerts take place in city squares, which are crowded with yurts. Here, visitors can learn about nomad culture and lifestyle, as well as see people dressed in traditional Kazakh clothing, listening to Kazakh music, and performing musical instruments. Traditional gifts and souvenirs are sold during holiday exhibitions and fairs. Young people usually congregate around Altybakan, a giant hanging swing with colorful decorations where traditional games are played and songs are sung. Many prominent stars perform performances in cities on the Nauryz holiday, which is followed by fireworks.