Astana
Kazakhstan
Taipei
Taiwan
Astana
Taipei
💰 Budget
🛡️ Safety
Astana
Astana is generally safe for tourists with low street crime. The biggest danger is the extreme winter cold. The city is modern and well-organized, with a visible police presence.
Taipei
Taipei is one of the safest major cities in Asia. Violent crime is extremely rare, and even petty theft is uncommon. The city feels safe to walk around at all hours, including for solo female travelers. The biggest risks are typhoons, earthquakes, and traffic.
⭐ Ratings
🌤️ Weather
Astana
Astana has an extreme continental climate. Winters are brutally cold and windy; summers are warm and pleasant. The temperature difference between seasons can exceed 70°C.
Taipei
Taipei has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, damp winters. The city sits in a basin which traps heat and moisture. Typhoon season runs from June to October. Rain is common throughout the year, with the northeast monsoon bringing persistent drizzle in winter.
🚇 Getting Around
Astana
Astana is a modern, spread-out city. The new LRT system, buses, and ride-hailing apps are the main transport options. The Left Bank (new city) is where most tourist sights are concentrated.
Walkability: The Left Bank boulevard from Bayterek to Ak Orda is a pleasant walk in summer (~2 km). In winter, the extreme cold and wind make walking impractical for more than short distances.
Taipei
Taipei has an excellent MRT system that is clean, efficient, and covers most tourist areas. Combined with buses, YouBike, and affordable taxis, getting around is easy and cheap. An EasyCard is essential for seamless travel across all modes.
Walkability: Central Taipei is very walkable with wide sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly intersections. The Xinyi shopping district, Zhongshan area, and Ximending are excellent on foot. Some older neighborhoods have uneven sidewalks. The riverside bike paths are also popular for walking.
The Verdict
Choose Astana if...
you want Nur-Sultan's space-age skyline — Bayterek tower, Khan Shatyr "tent", Ailand water park, and the Kazakhstan State Museum all on the steppe
Choose Taipei if...
you want Taiwan's capital — Taipei 101, Shilin night market, hot-spring day-trips, tea houses in Jiufen, and some of Asia's safest streets