AK ORDA (THE WHITE HOUSE)

The immense white facade, with its lightened lines, a myriad of tall windows and a blue dome topped by a high golden arrow, has little to do with the august official residence of the President of the United States in terms of appearance and size. But the nickname "White House" was given to it as soon as President Nazarbayev took office there in 2004. The real name "ak orda" refers to the White Horde, one of the heirs of the famous Golden Horde, led by one of Genghis Khan's sons. The building cannot be visited (in fact, it is even forbidden to approach it), but virtual tours are sometimes offered on the website.