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©Eric Lafforgue/Lonely Planet

Bayterek Monument

Top choice in Nur-Sultan (Astana)


Nurzhol bulvar's centrepiece is this 97m-high monument, a white latticed tower crowned by a large glass orb. This embodies a Kazakh legend in which the mythical bird Samruk lays a golden egg containing the secrets of human desires and happiness in a tall poplar tree, beyond human reach. Lifts glide visitors up inside the egg, where you can ponder the symbolism, enjoy expansive views and place your hand in a print of President Nazarbayev’s palm while gazing towards his palace.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Nur-Sultan (Astana) attractions

1. National Archive

0.12 MILES

The egg-domed National Archive stands just west of the Bayterek Monument.

2. Ploshchad Poyushchykh Fontanov

0.22 MILES

The eastern half of Nurzhol bulvar starts with this plaza, which springs to life with music-and-water shows at 9pm on summer evenings. Further east stand…

3. Emerald Towers

0.34 MILES

Striking office blocks whose tops splay outward like the pages of opening books.

4. Northern Lights

0.34 MILES

These three undulating, light-green apartment towers are a prominent feature of the western part of the boulevard.

6. Samryk-Kazyna

0.43 MILES

Striking headquarters of Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund.

8. Mazhilis

0.48 MILES

One of the two towers of parliament.