Centred around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Turkestan is a historic city in southern Kazakhstan’s desert. It was a major centre of learning and drew scholars from across Central Asia in the 11th century before becoming an important Muslim pilgrimage site.
Things to do in Turkestan (Ongtüstik)
Turkestan’s most striking architectural landmark is the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, which was constructed in the 14th century to honour the renowned Turkic poet and Sufi mystic. It’s attributed with marking the beginning of the Timurid architectural style and features stunning brickwork with a blue tile-covered dome. Now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its bathhouse, underground mosque and octagonal museum can all be explored.
Adjacent to the mausoleum is the Historical Cultural Ethnographic Centre, which details the region’s past and people across three floors. Get up close to prehistoric petroglyphs and artefacts from the Kazakh nomads, then learn about the life and presidency of Nursultan Nazarbayev in the top-floor exhibit.
To the north-west of Turkestan lies the ancient city of Sauran and what are considered the most beautiful ruins in Kazakhstan. Step through the large gate to explore the partially excavated site, which features a sophisticated system of underwater canals and high walls dating back to at least the 10th century. Sauran was one of only a few cities in the region to survive Mongol raids and provided the bricks and tiles used to construct the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.
Getting around Turkestan (Ongtüstik)
Hazret Sultan International Airport is a 40-minute drive from the centre of Turkestan and has regular flights to Nur-Sultan, Almaty and Istanbul. Trains connect from the Turkestan railway station to major cities across Central Asia while buses and minivans travel throughout the city. Taxis are readily available for getting around.