Kazakhstan is an independent state in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is endowed with many interesting sightseeing destinations. In Almaty, the most popular sightseeing places include the Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox Church, and the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan. While the capital, Astana, features modern architecture such as the Bayterek Tower, which offers panoramic views, and Khan Shatyr, a huge transparent tent that acts as shopping and entertainment center.