econews. Here, the snow-capped peaks of the Tien Shan mountains stand tall above green valleys where wild horses still roam freely. The modern capital, Astana, dazzles with its bold architecture of glass and steel, while Almaty, the former capital, charms visitors with tree-lined streets, bustling bazaars, and the scent of apples – its very name means "father of apples".
The Charyn Canyon, often called the Grand Canyon's little brother, reveals layers of red rock carved by wind and water over millions of years. Lake Balkhash, half fresh and half salty, is a natural wonder found nowhere else on earth. And when night falls over the great steppe, the sky becomes a blanket of stars so clear and close that you feel you could reach out and touch them. This is Kazakhstan – wild, welcoming, and wonderfully unexplored.