Central Asia
Between tradition and modernity
A view over the Khan Shatyr entertainement center of Astana. This emblematic 150m-high structure designed by Norman Foster combines the shape of a traditional kazakh yurt with the… [...]
First steps
In visible proximity, this young resident of Sary-Mogol ventures his first steps outside the protective warmth of home. The village sits close to the border with Tajikistan at… [...]
Train life
A mother and her son sit in the half-empty third class (known as platzkart) of the Kazakh Astrakhan–Atyrau train. Due to airfares often too high, the train… [...]
A powerful symbol
A MIG-23, a Soviet-era fighter plane, stands at the entrance to Tokmok. Well known to tourists for its proximity to the Burana Tower, Tokmok is also a… [...]
Lunch at the summit
A family is having a lunch break on the Kamchik Pass, at 2268m. Despite the snow and the cold, they eat sitting on the ground on a traditional tablecloth. [...]
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By supporting Novastan, you are supporting the only English, French and German-language media specialising in Central Asia. We're independent and we need your help to stay that way!Clouds on the Fann mountains
The Fann Mountains are located in the northern part of the Pamir-Alay mountain range. They include about a hundred peaks, some of… [...]
Pilgrimage through the stone desert
Kazakh pilgrims and tourists of all ages endure a lot of hardship to climb down from the Ustyurt plateau along narrow paths and countless steps to… [...]
Under the yurt
In the heights of the Alai valley, yurts have been set up to watch over the herds during the summer transhumance period. [...]
The green lake
Dzhizev is a village far from the road that follows the Bartang. It is reached by an eight-kilometre trail that can only be travelled on foot… [...]
Jump into Issyk-Kul
Jump into Issyk-Kul / Unchanging childhood: The opportunity to jump into the water wherever and whenever, into the sea, the river, the lake, over and over again. Credits: Grégoire Chesnot… [...]