In the CityIn the CityPhoto: Nikolamikovic82, общественное достояние (CC0) · source
From the outside, the pyramid looks completely otherworldly against the steppe landscape — a faceted granite and glass structure that is particularly striking at sunset. Inside, you can take an elevator directly to the top, to the "Besik" hall beneath a stained glass dome with 130 white doves symbolizing the peoples of Kazakhstan, and along the way peek into an opera hall with nearly 1,300 seats. The Presidential Park spreads around the building: from a bird's eye view, its alleys form the silhouette of the mythical bird Samruk, while from ground level it's simply one of the most well-maintained places for a stroll in the city — with streams, fountains, flower beds, and views of the pyramid from every vantage point.
The Palace was built between 2004 and 2006 according to Norman Foster's design and opened on September 1, 2006, to host the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, an initiative that Nazarbayev first presented in 2003. The pyramid's base and height are equal — both 62 meters, with proportions based on the golden ratio. The park around the palace opened in 2007 and spans 80 hectares; entry to the building itself is paid (tickets range from 650 to 1,000 tenge depending on category), with guided tours conducted every half hour.