Parliament building

A pair of shiny buildings on both sides of the main avenue, making up a beautiful set together with the Bayterek Tower. Some people think they resemble a masonic symbol.

This curved governmental building is during the night lit up by moving lights turning it into a huge screen with images and texts.

The presidential residence, inaugurated in 2004. It looks spectacular during nighttime when lit up.

Designed by Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti, and shaped like the petals of a flower. The exterior is covered by glass panels.

An example of the futuristic architecture in the newborn city. Nicknamed Chupa Chups by the locals due to its similarity to a giant lollipop, this 97-m-high building offers a great view of the city as well as an art gallery, an aquarium and a restaurant. There is a pleasant bar on one of the upper levels. In the centre of the top sphere, the ever-so-humble President Nazarbayev made a golden palm print where visitors may put their own hands. At busier times the queue for the palm can be very long. Nazarbayev designed the Baiterek himself and the original sketches can be seen in the national museum.

The national archives are housed in an interesting circular building with an ogival cupola.