Places to visit

Top destinations

1. Almaty's top cultural venue stages three or four performances a week at 5pm or 6.30pm. Some get sold out a week or more ahead. Popular favourites such as Swan Lake, La Boheme, La Traviata, Aida and Carmen are among

2. This turquoise-tiled concert hall, designed by Italian architects Manfredi and Luca Nicoletti, has a swirling, circular design intended to evoke the petals of a flower. Symphony orchestra and traditional Kazakh music

3. Astana's gleaming Opera House stages excellent performances by global opera and ballet companies, as well as Universal Ballet, chamber-orchestra concerts and more.

4. Khan Shatyr ("Royal Marquee") is a giant transparent tent in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. Built in a distinctively neofuturist style, the architectural project was unveiled by the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on December 9, 2006.

5. Stages assorted musical events including pop concerts.