AKIPRESS.COM - Astana could become the world's next hot travel destination, according to Independent's Chloe Farand.

"It is not too far away from Europe, it has a futuristic skyline and a rich history and it could become one the world’s hottest travel destinations," she wrote on Monday.

The city of Astana may be difficult to place on a map, but the capital of Kazakhstan is already becoming a hype destination in traveling circles. The former Soviet city, which has undergone a huge makeover, is launching itself as a new Singapore at the heart of Central Asia.

Architect Norman Foster, whose London-based company is known for its high-tech architecture, has worked to design the city’s Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre, an award-winning tented-shaped steel structure, which echoes Kazakh history.

The city’s blend of old and new architecture will no doubt be an attraction to the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to attend the 2017 Expo.

The world fair, which in the past gave London its Crystal Palace and Paris its Eiffel Tower, is designed to showcase each country’s strengths and vision for the future with this year’s theme being “Future Energy”.

“Nur Alem”, Kazakhstan’s national pavilion has been described as the largest spherical building in the world and promotes wind energy. The pavillion has already attracted close to 100,000 visitors since the Expo, which brings together 115 countries, opened on 10 June. It will run until 10 September.