Kokshetau

Northern Kazakhstan provincial capital on the steppe edge, gateway to Burabay's lakes and granite hills.

Kokshetau is the administrative capital of Akmola Region in northern Kazakhstan, a quiet provincial city of about 150,000 people on the edge of the Kazakh steppe. The city itself is unremarkable, but its setting is the draw: the Burabay (Borovoe) lake and mountain district lies about 70 kilometres to the south and is one of Kazakhstan's most popular domestic holiday destinations.

The Burabay area — sometimes called "the Pearl of Kazakhstan" — is a cluster of lakes surrounded by forested granite hills, a startling contrast to the flat steppe that stretches in every direction. Kazakhs come here to swim, hike, and breathe pine-scented air. The area has sanatoriums and resort hotels dating from the Soviet era alongside newer developments. From Kokshetau, marshrutkas (minibuses) run to Burabay regularly.

In the city itself, the Lake Kopa promenade is the best walk, with views up to Bukpa Hill and its hillside sign. The Akmola Regional Museum has a solid collection of Kazakh nomadic culture and regional history. The oldest mosque in the city, Zhakiya Kazhi Mosque, dates to the tsarist era. Kokshetau is most easily reached by train from Astana, about four hours to the south.

Guide

Getting There

Kokshetau is connected to the national rail and air network, though neither is frequent.

By train: Kokshetau-1 station is on the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway, with direct services to Astana (about 4 hours), Almaty (overnight), and Petropavl in northern Kazakhstan. The train is comfortable and reliable. The station is east of the city centre.

By bus/marshrutka: The central bus terminal handles intercity routes to Astana (frequent, 4–5 hours by road), Petropavl, and Kostanay. This is often the fastest option for Astana.

By air: Kokshetau Airport has limited scheduled service, mainly to Almaty. Most visitors arriving by air fly into Astana (Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport) and continue to Kokshetau by bus or train.

By car: The road to Astana passes through Burabay, making a stop there natural on the drive.

Guide

Things to Do in Kokshetau

Kokshetau is a working regional capital rather than a tourist destination, but it has several attractions worth visiting. The Akmola Regional Museum is the main cultural institution. The Lake Kopa promenade is the city's social center and best walk. Bukpa Hill offers views over the city and the steppe. The real reason to come, however, is as a base for the Burabay National Park lake district to the south.