Unique natural and recreational space on the banks of the Esil River -
Peace and Accord Park is one of the most conceptual and significant public spaces in the city. Officially opened in September 2025 as part of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, this object became a living embodiment of friendship, trust, and harmony between nations. The large-scale park zone in the city of Astana was initiated back in 2022, when world leaders such as Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, planted their trees here.
The park occupies a picturesque territory along the riverbed, creating a connecting link between spiritual and cultural centers. If you walk northwest along the Esil River, you will reach the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (Pyramid) and the majestic Hazrat Sultan Mosque. Very close by rises the Kazakh Eli monument and the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, making a walk along the embankment an ideal addition to exploring the sacred center where the capital Astana is located.
The central element and semantic core of the park is the "Tree of Life" monument, surrounded by deciduous and coniferous trees, each of which bears a personal plate and a QR code with the history of its planting. In immediate proximity to the park zone are modern residential quarters and the Deputy Town, as well as the Independence Palace, turning this place into a comfortable oasis for citizens and tourists seeking silence in the very heart of the metropolis.
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How to get there and visit -
Peace and Accord Park is located at the address: Astana city, at the intersection of Tauelsizdik Avenue and Panfilov Street, along the embankment of the Esil River, right bank (near the bridge on Tauelsizdik Avenue).
GPS coordinates: 51°06'27"N 71°27'52"E
The park can be reached via several city routes. Buses arrive at the nearest stops – "KEGOC", "Panfilov St.", and "Barcelona RC" – in the following order: No. 502 (express), 84, 66, 58, 21, 4A, and 4.
For those coming from the right bank, the park is within walking distance of the bridge on Tauelsizdik Avenue.
Operating mode: the park is open 24/7, entrance is free.
Visiting the territory is especially recommended in the evening, when the "Starry Sky" tunnel illumination and the monument lighting are turned on.
The park's infrastructure includes pedestrian routes, cascading waterfalls, and recreation areas with benches.
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History
The Peace and Accord Park project originated in 2022 during the VII Congress of World Religions. At that time, more than 60 delegates from different countries laid the foundation for the future green zone by planting the first seedlings. Construction and landscaping were carried out over three years, and on September 18, 2025, a grand official opening took place with the participation of Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev and City Akim Zhenis Kassymbek.
During its development, the park managed to become a center of attraction not only for religious figures but also for world-class stars. A landmark event of 2025 was the planting of pines by members of the legendary group Backstreet Boys – Brian, Nick, Howie, and AJ. Today, the capital Astana is proud of this space as a place where spirituality and modern culture coexist in unison, creating a "spiritual bridge" between generations and ethnic groups.
Information
The park's concept is built on symbolism and openness to the world. The main "Tree of Life" monument is made in the form of a dome, inside which a living oak is planted, surrounded by the "water surface" of a fountain. The four entrances to the monument are oriented strictly to the cardinal points – North, South, East, and West, emphasizing the equality of all peoples under a single "heavenly tent". The dome walls are decorated with petroglyphs and stories telling of the creation of the world and the history of Kazakhstan.
Technical equipment of the park includes a unique "Starry Sky" tunnel, which turns into a light show of hundreds of lights in the dark. Cascading waterfalls and an exhibition of children's paintings "The World in Children's Colors" demonstrating hope for a peaceful future have also been created here. The park's landscape is adapted to the climate of the city of Astana: about 1 million green spaces have been planted here, creating a protective barrier and a comfortable microclimate on the embankment.
Detailed description of the object
Peace and Accord Park offers visitors several key locations for relaxation and reflection:
• "Tree of Life" monument – a 15-meter structure where the tree roots symbolize the past, the trunk represents the present, and the spreading crown signifies a prosperous future. Inside the dome, the oak is surrounded by a cascade of water, symbolizing the eternity of life.
• "Starry Sky" tunnel – a spectacular installation that has become a popular place for photo shoots. At night, the tunnel dome flashes with lights imitating outer space.
• World Leaders Alley – a section of the park where name-bearing trees of Pope Francis, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and other iconic personalities grow. A QR code can be scanned at each tree for information.
• Cascading waterfall – an artificial water system creating a relaxing atmosphere and coolness in the summer heat.
• Four symbolic walls – the walls of the "Tree of Life" dome (from the "Gates of Versatility" to the "Harmony of Religions"), each of which keeps its secrets in the form of ornaments, stylized rubies, and golden radiance.
Architecture
The architectural style of the park is a symbiosis of the natural landscape and symbolic monumentalism. The dome building over the "Tree of Life" is made using engineering details resembling the laws of celestial mechanics and botanical ornaments. The use of stone, metal, and glass in combination with a living oak emphasizes the idea of "living architecture". The walking areas and the bridge across the river are designed to provide a panoramic view of the Pyramid and the embankment, turning the capital Astana into a single visual composition where modern urbanism does not conflict with ecology.
Legend
Among the citizens and guests of the city of Astana, there is a legend about the "White Bird of Peace" depicted on one of the dome walls. They say that if a person seeking reconciliation finds the image of this bird with a branch in its beak and mentally asks for accord in their home, peace will return to them within forty days.
Another legend is connected with the Backstreet Boys' pines: fans believe that if you listen to a favorite hit of the group while standing next to these trees, you can be charged with the energy of eternal youth and inspiration.
Conclusion
Peace and Accord Park is not just a walking area, but a manifesto of human brotherhood. Here, the history of the formation of independent Kazakhstan is intertwined with world religious traditions and even pop culture.
Thanks to its location on the picturesque banks of the Esil and its proximity to the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, the park becomes a mandatory point to visit. The capital Astana invites everyone to walk under the "Starry Sky" and think about eternal values while looking at the oak that connects generations.
Interesting attractions nearby:
• K. Kuanyshbayev Music and Drama Theatre;
• Astana Ballet Theatre;
• Presidential Park;
• Observation deck in the Presidential Park;
• Nazarbayev Center;
• Congress Hall.
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