Palace of Peace and Reconciliation — Attraction in Astana

everyone on the internet says this place is weird, but I think it's cool. the palace isn't one where seen kings reside, but rather for those with an open mind. the park surrounding is just as nice as the views around. from one side there is the white house (Ak Orda) and the other is a beautiful mosque. the inside was extravagant with polite people serving you. the ticket price for one adult was 1500 tenge at the time that I went. the tour was in Russian, probably, so I didn't understand but it was thorough through exhibit and the explanations were well heard. the tour guide was young and was kind and patient with our pace showing the kind of hospitality you get when you visit a place where people still care about each other, if only as a formality inbuilt to the culture. they took us to the top! I was quite excited to sit and write up there and breathe in the warm air. they play bird sounds over loud speakers which makes the experience nice. I'm grateful that I...

The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation also translated as the Pyramid of Peace and Accord, is a 62-metre-high (203 ft) pyramid in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, that serves as a non-denominational national spiritual centre and an event venue. Designed by Foster and Partners, with a stained glass apex and windows by architectural artist Brian Clarke, the Palace was constructed to house the triennial Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, and completed in 2006.

Built by Sembol Construction at a cost of 8.74 billion Kazakh tenge (approx. $58 million), the project was conceived as a permanent venue for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which meets triennially in a purpose-built conference chamber at the apex of the pyramid. In 2011 and 2013, the International Astana Action Film Festival was held...

Internet conspiracy theories led me here. It turns out to be a pretty interesting art gallery, religious museum, and neutral ground for various religious conferences. My guide was in English and really friendly and informative.

CONS: Entrance experience is very poor. There's 10 identical doors at the front entrance, and all but one of them locked, with no indication of which one. After finally finding the correct door to go inside, was met by a very moody metal detector operator who gestured vaguely over to a small window to buy tour tickets. After buying the tickets, was told to go over to the cafe and wait, without any indication of who I was waiting for.

Entrance experience aside, still a very interesting place from...