An ultra-modern station complex of a new generation and the main -
"Nurly Zhol" Railway Station is a unique architectural and spiritual site in the city of Astana. The building, which has a rich history, impresses with its beauty and grandeur: its classical monumental style with elements of high-tech attracts the attention of every passerby at the crossroads of the new transport ring.
Along a straight main axis from here, one can drive to the iconic Independence Square and the monumental Kazakh Eli (Kazakh Nation) Monument Complex, which act as the nearest, though quite distant, architectural landmarks on this urban planning line.
The construction of this unique center, opened on June 1, 2017, for the EXPO-2017 International Exposition, was carried out with the support of the state, becoming a clear confirmation of care for developing the potential of the transport space in the republic. The hub is specially set at a distance from dense historical buildings on the new Myndzhylдык axis. If moving further along this long highway, passengers will be able to reach the National Museum, which is the country's major museum complex closest to the station.
The light facades of the flyovers of the station-bridge perfectly complement the modern look of the district. Although the iconic city landmarks are at a considerable distance from the passenger terminals, the station is oriented towards a direct transport connection with the square, beyond which a view of the snow-white domes of the Hazret Sultan Mosque opens up. Also located on this bus route is the unusual silhouette of the University of Arts, popularly known as the Shabyt Palace of Creativity.
The sculptural composition of the building in the form of a huge metallic curve occupies a central place in the cultural landscape. From the station terminals, wide avenues lead in the direction of the spacious Presidential Park and the monumental Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, covering the distance to which on foot is difficult due to their remoteness.
The historical heritage is carefully preserved here. The administration connects the architectural center with the main walking areas. It naturally neighbors the recreational spaces of the well-kept Park of Peace and Reconciliation located at the end of this long transport corridor, where every visitor can find their guiding star.
---------------------------------------------
How to get there and visit -
The "Nurly Zhol" Railway Station is located at the address: 8 Mukhamedzhan Tynyshbayuly Street (new station complex on the axis of the Myndzhylдык alley), Sarayshyq district, Astana city, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 51°06'44"N 71°31'54"E
The transport accessibility of the site is ideal. Regular city buses No. 2, 3, 11, 14, 21, 32, 48, 50, 57, 60, 66, as well as express route No. 503, run to the station square.
All these routes are designed to cover the distance to the nearest cultural sites, such as the Hazret Sultan Mosque or the Park of Peace and Reconciliation, where walking on foot is difficult due to remoteness.
For drivers, a convenient two-level covered parking lot for 740–741 parking spaces, a free parking zone P-5 from the side of Nazhimedenov and A-62 streets, as well as open parking lots with a total capacity of up to 792 spaces are provided.
Also, to get to the station, you can use taxi services via a special mobile application. For taxis, entry to the ramp with a free time limit of 15 minutes is provided.
Station complex opening hours: 24/7, without days off and breaks.
Ticket offices operate round the clock and are located on the first and fourth floors of the building.
Contacts: KTZ passenger transportation information service is available via the short round-the-clock number 14-33.
Ticket refund issues: + 7 778 257 64 94 (WhatsApp)
Freight transportation:
+7 7172 60 30 30
+7 7172 60 32 52
Email: ktzh_gp@railways.kz
"Nysana" Call Center accepts free calls regarding all social and labor violations 24/7.
Multi-channel phone: +7 800 080 30 30;
WhatsApp: +7 702 075 30 30;
Website: https://nysana.cscc.kz/website
Email: nysana@cscc.kz
Ombudsman: +7 7172 60 40 31; Email: ombudsman@railways.kz
Press Service: + 7 7172 60 42 91; Email: Press@railways.kz
Entrance to the territory of the complex, panoramic bridges, and general waiting rooms is completely free.
Information for shippers: +7 7172 60 32 75
Email: kense_cdip@railways.kz
www.railways.kz
instagram.com/railways.kz
instagram.com/nurlyzhol_vokzaly[/u]
---------------------------------------------
History
The history of the creation of the "Nurly Zhol" station began on the eve of the EXPO-2017 International Exposition. The former Astana-1 station could no longer cope with the sharply increased passenger flow. The project for the new station was developed by the Turkish architectural company "Tabanlıoğlu Architects" together with international experts from "Buro Happold" and "Jamas".
The unique futuristic concept won first place in the prestigious international contest "MIPIM AR Future Projects". The official opening of the hub with a capacity of 35,000 passengers per day took place on June 1, 2017, and on the eve, the readiness of the site was personally checked by the President of Kazakhstan.
The main idea of the large-scale construction by Turkish developers was to create an innovative "station-bridge" type complex, where the platforms and six arrival and departure tracks with a length of 2,550 meters are raised onto a concourse above the road arteries. This allowed trains to be launched right inside the building onto a flyover protected from Astana's harsh blizzards by a steel dome with noise barriers.
The main direction of the alley was laid towards Independence Square and the Kazakh Eli Monument, laying the foundation for transport links between the station and these most important landmarks. Today, this center is proud of a living success story that continues to open the way to friendship and creativity for the younger generation.
Information
"Nurly Zhol" Station is a modern multifunctional space distributed over six separate floors. Within the structure of the complex, ideal conditions have been created for the intellectual, aesthetic, and physical growth of each passenger. The total number of seats in 6 waiting rooms and 2 arrival halls reaches 3,000.
On the 5th floor, for the convenience of believers, a namazkhana prayer room is open, 4 cozy mother and child rooms, a medical point, a Specialized Public Service Center, a sector for issuing IIN to foreigners, hotel rooms, and a capsule hotel are operating, and a car inspection service is available in block "K".
For the intellectual development and convenience of citizens, a system for notifying about train delays through the DARMEN application has been introduced, an open public bookcase of the Bolashaq Books project with QR codes has been installed, and navigation for calling porters and wheelchairs by QR code is active. The architecture of the terminal takes into account the remote position of the station, so the waiting rooms are designed as an autonomous city with all the necessary infrastructure for transit passengers, from where journeys to the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation or the Presidential Park can be planned.
A professional team led by the head of the complex ensures an individual approach and security through the efforts of the linear transport police department and 500 CCTV cameras. The complex is fully equipped with modern materials, free Wi-Fi, lifts, and escalators and is adapted for the needs of persons with disabilities.
Detailed description of the object
The technological infrastructure of the station includes specialized zones on all six levels of the building:
• Parking levels – the first and second floors of the building, representing a huge covered two-level parking lot and automated outdoor parking zones protecting vehicles from frosts.
• Railway platform – the third floor of the station, where under the steel dome of the flyover six tracks are located for receiving passenger, regional, and high-speed branded trains "Baiterek" and "Caspiy".
• Commercial and passenger circuit – the fourth floor, housing a spacious waiting room, ticket offices, clothing, footwear, and cosmetics shops, as well as a huge panoramic window for observing trains on the third level.
• Service and entertainment hub – the fifth floor of the complex, where a large food court area, restaurants, cafes, a bar, commercial centers, a namazkhana, a translation bureau, a notary, and the Be Fit RG rhythmic gymnastics school are located.
• Administrative wing – the sixth floor of the station building, where the offices of the management of the "NC "KTZ" JSC branch, dispatch services, and traffic control rooms are placed, ensuring clear coordination of all work.
Architecture
The architectural appearance of the station represents an example of futuristic high-tech and eco-urbanism. The six-level building is made in the form of a gigantic curve, painted from the outside in light grey and noble metallic tones and decorated with a huge glowing inscription with the name. The city streets of Alikhan Bokeikhanov and Zhumeken Nazhimedenov pass transversely through the building.
Advanced environmental technologies were applied during the construction of the station. The huge space is heated using underground geothermal heat exchangers and thermal springs, which allows the station to be economically warmed in winter and cooled in summer.
The building is equipped with a multi-split air conditioning system from a single outdoor unit, energy-saving elevators, as well as a unique system for collecting and reusing rainwater for watering the adjacent territory and cleaning the facades. A transfer to the Astana LRT line under construction is also provided.
Legend
Among conductors, attendants, and long-distance express passengers lives a modern legend about the "Guiding Star": they say that on the day of the official launch of the station, an invisible spark of inspiration lit up under its steel roof, pointing the direction towards the distant silhouettes of the Hazret Sultan Mosque.
They believe that if a traveler sincerely makes an important life wish while looking out of the terminal windows towards the distant Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the steel mainlines will help them overcome any distances on the way to the goal.
Another legend is connected with the glass observation window on the fourth floor: they believe that if you look through it in the direction of the National Museum and Independence Square, it will help the younger generation and entrepreneurs find a strong voice in their business, granting them confidence and victories in the most difficult life challenges.
Conclusion
The "Nurly Zhol" Railway Station is a bridge between the rich history of Kazakhstan's transport routes and the innovative future of the republic. A visit to this logistics center of engineering creativity allows one to feel the spirit of continuity and care that surrounds the residents and guests of the capital.
The specifics of the station's location on the new Myndzhylдык highway imply a vehicle trip to the main cultural sites, yet it remains the key starting point for all travelers. Tourist routes invite everyone to come here to be inspired by the energy of the futuristic design and then continue their acquaintance with the capital.
Interesting attractions nearby:
• Triathlon Park;
• Baurzhan Momyshuly Park;
• Observation deck in the Presidential Park;
• Akorda Presidential Residence.
Photogallery:
