Bayterek

About a month and a half ago we went to see the famous monument and observation tower in Astana called Bayterek which became a symbol of Astana. The shape of Bayterek represents a poplar tree holding a golden egg. These come from a folktale of the tree of life, a central symbol in Turkic mythology, and Samruk the magical bird of happiness, said to have laid its egg between the branches of a poplar tree.

The observation deck is 97 meters above the ground level, corresponding to 1997, the year in which Astana became the nation's capital. It consists of two levels, one with 360 degree views of Astana, with a second, higher level, reached by a flight of stairs. The top level has a gilded hand print of the right hand of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, mounted in an ornate pedestal. Visitors can place a hand in the imprint and make a wish. There is also a wooden sculpture of a globe and 16 radiating segments, commemorating the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held several times in Astana.

Of course you have to pay a fee to get up there but it was fun!

The kids are looking down on the city from the "golden ball"

The view of the Presidential Palace from the top of Bayterek  Those flower beds are pretty amazing!

The line to the second level inside of the "ball" to see the President Nazarbayev's hand print. We stood in that line for almost an hour but we made it! 

The wooden sculpture of a globe and 16 radiating segments, commemorating the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

Finally it was our turn to put our hands on top of the President's hand print and to make a wish. I think I forgot to make mine!

The elevator that takes you to the top of the tower and then back down. We felt like we were sardines in a can!

On the lower level they have this nice little fish tank. The kids were mesmerized by it!

And a little gift shop our girls would have loved to put their hands in!

We had a great time there!