Nur-Sultan: The Modern Jewel of Kazakhstan

• HelloСәлем
  [Salem]
• GoodbyeҚоштау
  [Qoshtau]
• YesИя
  [Iya]
• NoЖоқ
  [Jok]
• Please/You're welcomeРахмет
  [Rakhmet]
• Thank youРахмет
  [Rakhmet]
• Excuse me/SorryКешіріңіз
  [Keshiriniz]
• How are you?Қалайсыз?
  [Qalaisyz?]
• Fine. And you?Жақсым. Сізді жақсы көремін.
  [Jaqsym. Sizdi jaqsy köremin.]
• Do you speak English?Сіз ағылшынша сөйлейсіз бе?
  [Siz aghylynsa söyleisiz be?]
• I don't understandМен түсінбедім
  [Men tusinbedim]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseМенюді көрейін деп жатам
  [Menyudi köreyin dep zhatam]
• I don't eat meatМен қасым тамақты жемеймін
  [Men qasym tamakti zhemeimin]
• Cheers!Тәртіпсіз!
  [Tärtipsiz!]
• I would like to pay, pleaseТөленуім керек
  [Tölenwim kerek]

• Help!Көмек!
  [Kömek!]
• Go away!Алыс!
  [Alıs!]
• Call the Police!Полицияға қоңырау шақырыңыз!
  [Politsiyaga qoshyrau shaqyrynyz!]
• Call a doctor!Дәрігерге қоңырау шақырыңыз!
  [Därigerge qoshyrau shaqyrynyz!]
• I'm lostМен ашықтым
  [Men ashıqtım]
• I'm illМен аурулым
  [Men ayrulım]

• I'd like to buy...Сатып алғым келеді...
  [Satyp alghym keledi...]
• I'm just lookingЖақтыленемін
  [Jaqtılenemin]
• How much is it?Қаншаға болады?
  [Qanshagha bolady?]
• That's too expensiveОсы тым де арзан емес
  [Osy tım de arzan emes]
• Can you lower the price?Бағасын кемесіңіз бе?
  [Bağasyn kemesiniz be?]

• What time is it?Қанша уақыт?
  [Qansha waqıt?]
• It's one o'clockБір уақыт
  [Bir waqıt]
• Half past (10)Онда жарым
  [Onda jarım]
• MorningТаң
  [Tań]
• AfternoonКеш
  [Kesh]
• EveningКешкі кеш
  [Keshki kesh]
• YesterdayКеше
  [Keshe]
• TodayБүгін
  [Bugın]
• TomorrowЕртең
  [Erten]
• 1Бір
  [Bir]
• 2Екі
  [Eki]
• 3Үш
  [Üsh]
• 4Төрт
  [Tört]
• 5Бес
  [Bes]
• 6Алты
  [Altı]
• 7Жеті
  [Jeti]
• 8Сегіз
  [Segiz]
• 9Тоғыз
  [Toğız]
• 10Он
  [On]

• Where's a/the...?Қайда...?
  [Qayda...?]
• What's the address?Мекен жайы қандай?
  [Meken jaıı qanday?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Мені көрсете аласыз бе (картада)?
  [Meni körsete alasız be (kartada)?]
• When's the next (bus)?Келесі қайда?
  [Kelesi qayda?]
• A ticket (to ....)Билет (....ға)
  [Bilet (....ğa)]

Nur-Sultan, formerly known as Astana, was officially founded in 1830 as a small fortress named Akmolinsk. It was initially established as a regional center for the Russian Empire's expansion into Central Asia and served as a trading post and administrative hub.

During the Soviet era, Akmolinsk was renamed several times, becoming Tselinograd in 1961 as part of the Virgin Lands Campaign initiated by Nikita Khrushchev. This campaign aimed to boost agricultural production in Kazakhstan and involved a significant influx of Russian settlers, which led to rapid urban development.

Following Kazakhstan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the city was renamed Akmola in 1992. In 1997, President Nursultan Nazarbayev declared Akmola the new capital of Kazakhstan, a move aimed at promoting economic development and political stability in the northern region of the country.

In 1998, Akmola was officially renamed Astana, which means 'capital' in Kazakh. The city underwent significant infrastructural development, with ambitious architectural projects and modern urban planning transforming it into a symbol of Kazakhstan's new national identity.

In 2019, following the resignation of long-time President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the city was renamed Nur-Sultan in his honor. This period saw continued growth and modernization, with Nur-Sultan becoming a hub for international diplomacy, business, and culture in Central Asia.

Nur-Sultan is home to several iconic landmarks that reflect its rich history and cultural heritage. The Baiterek Tower, symbolizing a mythical tree of life, and the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, a massive tent-like structure, are prime examples of the city's unique blend of traditional and futuristic architecture.

Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan, is served by Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (IATA: NQZ), located about 17 kilometers southeast of the city center. The airport hosts numerous international and domestic flights. You can get to Nur-Sultan by taxi, airport shuttle, or rental car. Taxis are readily available at the airport, and many hotels offer shuttle services for their guests.

Nur-Sultan has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses, minibuses (marshrutkas), and a modern light rail system. Taxis are also widely available and relatively inexpensive. For a more convenient option, ride-hailing services like Yandex.Taxi can be used. Renting a car is another option, but be aware of local traffic rules and driving conditions. The city is very walkable, with many attractions located close to each other.

The official currency in Kazakhstan is the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops in Nur-Sultan. ATMs are plentiful and can be found throughout the city. It's advisable to carry some cash, especially for smaller establishments and markets where card payments may not be accepted.

Nur-Sultan is generally considered a safe city for tourists. However, like any metropolitan area, it is wise to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar areas and be mindful of your belongings in crowded places. While crime rates are relatively low, areas around the train station and some outer neighborhoods may have higher incidents of petty crimes like pickpocketing. Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for quick access to police, fire, and medical services. Most emergency responders in Nur-Sultan speak some level of English. For medical emergencies, the city has several well-equipped hospitals and clinics. It's highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, pharmacies are widely available and can provide over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Remove your shoes when entering mosques and cover your head if required. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't be loud or disruptive. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake. A slight bow of the head can be a sign of respect. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Nur-Sultan like a local, visit the local markets such as the Green Bazaar, where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Kazakh goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about their culture and history. Don't miss visiting the Baiterek Tower for panoramic views of the city. For a unique experience, take a stroll along the Ishim River Esplanade, especially in the evening when the city lights up beautifully.