🏙️ Webcams Astana Online — Watch the Capital in Real Time

History of the City: From Akmola to the Capital of Kazakhstan

Astana is a city with a unique destiny. Formerly Akmolinsk, then Akmola, in 1997 it became the new capital of independent Kazakhstan, replacing Almaty. This decision radically changed the appearance of the settlement in the steppe: in a quarter of a century, a metropolis with futuristic architecture grew here, which today attracts tourists from all over the world. The relocation of the capital was initiated by the country's first president Nursultan Nazarbayev, and since then the city has undergone several renamings, which brought it a peculiar record.

The left bank of Astana was purposefully built after 1997 as a "city of the future" according to a single urban development plan with the participation of world-class architects, including Sir Norman Foster. The main symbols of the capital are concentrated here: Baiterek, Khan Shatyr, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, and the Akorda Residence. The right bank preserves the historical buildings of the Soviet period, creating a contrast between the old and new city.

Architectural Symbols of the Left Bank

The heart of the new capital is the Baiterek monument, which is 97 meters tall. This number symbolically refers to 1997, the year the capital was moved. The monument was opened on August 29, 2002, made of glass, metal, and gold; the weight of the structure is about 300 tons. Inside there is a glass sphere with an observation deck, offering a panoramic view of the city. The initiator of the construction was Nursultan Nazarbayev, the project architect is Akmurza Rustambekov.

Another architectural giant is Khan Shatyr, the tallest tent in the world at 150 meters high. Designed by Norman Foster, it was opened on July 6, 2010. The name does not mean "khan's tent" but "khan among tents" — by analogy with the Tsar Cannon. Khan Shatyr is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest tent structure in the world and was included in the top 10 best eco-buildings in the world by Forbes Style. Inside is a shopping and entertainment complex with a beach club, where a tropical climate is maintained even in severe frost.

The Ministry of Finance building on the left bank is a 12-story structure with a total area of 32,000 m², commissioned in 1999, one of the early examples of futuristic architecture in the new capital. Nearby rises the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation — a pyramid designed by the same Norman Foster for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

Main Attractions of the Capital

The main square of Astana, which locals call "Old," does not have a single official name. It houses the Astana Congress Hall, the Palace of Independence with a white lattice frame surrounding the glass building, and nearby is the "Kazakh Yeli" monument, a 90-meter stele with the figure of the mythical bird Samruk on Independence Square.

The Hazrat Sultan Mosque is the largest in Central Asia, capable of accommodating 10,000 worshippers. It combines classical Islamic architecture with modern technologies. The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan houses unique artifacts telling the history of the nomadic peoples of the Great Steppe.

The "Duman" Aquarium is an amazing place for a city located thousands of kilometers from the sea. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the aquarium farthest from the ocean in the world. More than 10,000 marine inhabitants live here, including sharks and rays, and a glass tunnel allows you to observe them from the inside.

Climate and Weather: The Second Coldest Capital in the World

Astana ranks second among the coldest capitals in the world after Ulaanbaatar. In winter, temperatures drop to −40°C, and in summer they can rise to +40°C. Such a sharply continental climate creates unique conditions: in winter the city turns into a fairy tale of snow, and in summer the green parks and the embankment of the Ishim River provide coolness.

The Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport is located 15 km from the city. In July 2026, for the first time in the history of the air harbor, it served more than 1 million passengers in a single month — this is an absolute record for the airport, indicating the growing popularity of the capital among tourists and business travelers.

Records and Achievements of Astana

The capital of Kazakhstan can boast several achievements listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Astana made it into the book as the capital that changes its name most often in the world: Akmola → Astana → Nur-Sultan → Astana. After the official return of the name "Astana" in 2022, the record was updated.

The Astana Arena stadium seats 30,200 spectators and has one of the six existing retractable roof systems in the world with an area of 10,000 m². It is the home arena of the football club Astana and a venue for major sports and cultural events.

The city continues to grow and develop, maintaining its status as the most important political, economic, and cultural center of Central Asia. Its architectural appearance is unique: no other capital in the world can boast such a concentration of avant-garde buildings created by the leading architects of the planet.

What the Cameras Show

Astana webcams allow you to see the capital of Kazakhstan in real time from anywhere in the world. Our page features broadcasts from key points of the city: the left bank with its futuristic skyscrapers, Republic Square, the embankment of the Ishim River, as well as the railway station and airport. You can watch the traffic in the city center, monitor weather conditions, or simply enjoy the panorama of the steppe capital.

All cameras operate 24/7, providing the opportunity to watch Astana online in HD quality. This is convenient for those planning a trip to Kazakhstan, missing the city, or simply interested in the life of one of the youngest and most dynamically developing capitals in the world. Choose the location you are interested in and enjoy the live broadcast from the streets of Astana.