The world's largest tent and a symbol of the new capital -
A unique microclimate with a tropical beach under the dome -
Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center is not just a shopping mall, but a true masterpiece of modern architecture that has become a hallmark of Kazakhstan. Designed by the famous British architect Norman Foster, the site was officially opened on July 6, 2010, in the capital city of Astana.
The grandiose 150-meter-high structure entered the Guinness World Records as the largest tent-shaped building in the world and was recognized as one of the best eco-buildings on the planet according to Forbes Style. The famous pedestrian Nurzhol Boulevard begins from the shopping center, along which you can walk to the Baiterek Monument.
A special feature of «Khan Shatyr» is the ETFE polymer coating, which protects the 127,000 square meter interior from extreme temperature fluctuations while allowing maximum sunlight to pass through. This made it possible to create the region's first lifestyle center, where world-class shopping galleries, tropical gardens, and unique attractions coexist harmoniously under one roof. Near the mall is Lovers' Park, where the Lovers' Monument (My Happiness) is installed.
Thanks to innovative engineering solutions and an inclined central mast holding a network of steel cables weighing 2,300 tons, «Khan Shatyr» became an unrivaled architectural project in Central Asia, completing Astana's main axis. From the mall, you can walk to Round Square and further to the Ak Orda Presidential Residence.
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How to get there and visit -
Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center is located at: 37 Turan Avenue, Nura district, left bank of the Ishim River, Astana city, Republic of Kazakhstan. The building is situated at the beginning of Turan Avenue, opposite Lovers' Park.
GPS coordinates: 51°07'56"N 71°24'13"E
You can reach the main tent by many public transport routes. Buses No. 30, 21, 309, 10, 70, 300, 308, 29, 35, 305, 12, 312, 28, 56, 301, 303, 32, 37, 40, 46, 803, 807, or 29A are suitable. The «Khan Shatyr» stop is located right in front of the central entrance.
Entrance to the shopping center: Free
Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 22:00
Entertainment zones and the beach club may have their own schedules.
Contacts: +7 7172 57 26 26
Official Mall Website
Mall Instagram Page
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Information
The interior space of «Khan Shatyr» is distributed over several levels. It houses the city's largest supermarket, covering more than 6,000 square meters, as well as the Rixos Spa fitness and spa center. For movie lovers, modern cinemas showing all the world's latest releases are available.
On the sixth floor of the complex is the famous Sky Beach Club – an indoor water park with a climate control system that maintains a temperature of +35 degrees year-round. The sand for the beach was specially brought from the Maldives; it does not stick to the feet and is heated from below, creating a perfect illusion of a seaside resort.
The food zone features various concepts: from a quick snack at KFC or Krusty Krabs to exquisite dishes at Turka restaurant and panoramic venues with city views.
Detailed description of the object
• Fame City Entertainment Center: A huge zone with more than 100 types of games for children and adults. Here you can visit Mini City for vocational training for children or try your luck in the «Gold Mine».
• Drop Tower: An attraction unique to the capital, 38 meters high. The device, brought from Italy, is located opposite the main entrance and allows you to experience the effect of free fall.
• Monorail Road: A train moving along the perimeter of the dome at a height of 25 meters. The 500-meter track passes through four animated caves, offering a breathtaking view of the tent's internal structure.
• Water Attraction: A descent on wooden boats through water channels among picturesque vegetation. The ascent height is 4 meters, and the final descent is 7 meters.
Architecture
Norman Foster's architecture in this project combined modern technology and nomadic traditions. The shape of a giant yurt is realized with a three-layer fluoropolymer coating, which provides natural ventilation and protection from the harsh steppe climate.
A unique insolation system has been created inside the building, thanks to which it is always bright even on cloudy days. The design of the spire and cables is engineered to withstand the colossal wind loads typical of Astana while maintaining visual lightness and transparency.
Legend and Conclusion
For the residents of Astana, «Khan Shatyr» has become the «Khan among tents» – a place where the future meets tradition. There is an opinion that this building changed the city's energy, turning the former bottom of Lake Maly Taldykol into a thriving center of attraction. Here you can travel from a harsh winter to a tropical summer in just a few minutes.
A visit to «Khan Shatyr» is not just shopping, but an opportunity to touch a super-structure featured in National Geographic films. It is the ideal place to feel the scale and ambitions of modern Kazakhstan.
Interesting landmarks nearby:
• Abu Nasir Al-Farabi Mosque;
• Astana Opera Theater;
• Korme Exhibition Center;
• Asia Park Mall;
• Emerald Quarter;
• Astana Hotel.
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