One of the main reasons people travel all the way to Shymkent in Southern Kazakhstan is to visit the ancient Silk Road city of Turkestan, the spiritual capital of the Turkic world that was once a part of the Timurid Empire in the 14th Century, home to some of the most stunning ancient structures in Kazakhstan. It's like a tinier version of Uzbekistan, all concentrated into one area.
Within this guide, I will provide you with a comprehensive list of the best places to visit in Turkestan and all the information you need to visit Turkestan on a day trip from Shymkent. Without further ado, here is a complete guide to Turkestan. Let's get packing!
- Turkestan Best Places to Visit Map
- 5 Best Places to Visit in Turkestan
- Kazakhstan Travel Video
- Where to Stay in Shymkent?
- When to Visit Turkestan?
- How to Get from Shymkent to Turkestan?
- How to Get to Shymkent?
- How to Get Around Turkestan?
- How Long to Spend in Turkestan?
- Turkestan Entrance Tickets and Opening Hours?
- How Much Does it Cost to visit Turkestan as a Day Trip from Shymkent?
- What to Pack for Turkestan?
- Further Reading for Central Asia
Turkestan Best Places to Visit Map
| 🌤️ Best time: | Spring and autumn |
| 🚘 Get around: | Walk, YandexGo |
| 🏛️ Ticket: | 500 KZT |
| 🕓 Time to spend: | 3+ hours |
5 Best Places to Visit in Turkestan
1. The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
One of the highlights of visiting Turkestan is witnessing the incredible beauty of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Muslims as well as the most famous landmarks in the city.
The mausoleum is dedicated to the renowned Sufi poet and philosopher, Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, who lived in Turkestan in the 12th century during the Timurid Empire reign of the region. He was one of the most influential figures in the region, and the lasting impact of his teachings is forever immortalized here in the form of this stunning piece of architecture that had stood the test of time.
The construction of the mausoleum began in the late 14th century but remained unfinished. Despite its incomplete state, the mausoleum showcases remarkable architectural and artistic features. It exemplifies the Timurid architectural style and is known for its majestic dome and intricate tilework.
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The mausoleum features a massive, turquoise-colored dome that dominates the structure. It is one of the largest domes in Central Asia, with a diameter of approximately 18 meters (59 feet).
The facades of the mausoleum are also covered with exquisite mosaic tilework arranged in geometric patterns, often forming star-shaped motifs and interlaced designs that are predominantly blue and turquoise in color, which showcase the unique characteristics of the architecture often found in this part of the ancient Silk Road.
The interior of the mausoleum is also as massive in scale as it is from the outside with a large main hall with an incredibly high domed ceiling connecting with several rooms holding small exhibitions you can check out.
Although I think the interior could use a little bit more paint, it is definitely worth checking out. The entrance fee to the mausoleum is 500 KZT per person and it is open between 9 AM to 6 PM every day.
Be sure to walk around the entire structure so you can admire the incredible details of the mosaic tilework that covers the entire structure. It is quite a sight to behold.
2. The Mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begum
Located right next to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi you will also find another impressive structure called the Mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begum, which is a much smaller mausoleum but still very impressive to see.
With its incredible mosaic tilework on its domed roof and the much smaller scale of the structure, you should be able to appreciate just how incredibly symmetrical and detailed these Islamic patterns are. Be sure to drop by here once you are done with the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.
3. The Underground Mosque
The Underground Mosque is another cool tourist attraction you should check out in Turkestan. Located not too far from the 2 mausoleums I mentioned earlier, the mosque is known for its unique architectural design, as it is built partially underground which is rather rare to see.
The entrance to the mosque is through a stairway or a sloping path that leads down into the underground space. Once you are inside, you will find yourself in a large prayer hall with high ceilings and columns.
It is adorned with beautiful decorative elements, including intricate tilework, calligraphy, and geometric designs. The subdued lighting inside is quite serene and rather interesting to walk around in.
Inside, you will also find several artifacts on display as well as a small exhibition dedicated to the preservation of the excavated artifacts found here as well as a painting depicting what life was like down here. Very interesting to walk around in.
To enter the mosque, you will have to pay another 500 KZT for the entrance which will also give you access to the Ancient Baths adjacent to the underground mosque. The mosque is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day.
4. Masjid Khoja Ahmad Yassavi
Another great place to visit while you are in Turkestan is Masjid Khoja Ahmad Yassavi, a beautiful mosque that blends the Timurid architectural style, characterized by the intricate tilework, and decorative elements, with modern design features like its massive proportion, creating a really unique piece of architecture that stands out from the rest of the structures here.
The mosque is dominated by a large, turquoise-colored dome, similar to the nearby Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. It is supported by 2 majestic minarets and a unique stacking building block feature around its corners which is something you don't see every day. It's definitely worth a visit while you are in Turkestan.
5. Karavan Saray
Contrary to the other ancient structures in Turkestan, Karavan Saray is a massive newly built shopping complex that combines the traditional Timurid architectural style with the futuristic architectural style you often see in cities like Dubai.
And the result is rather interesting to see with a vast open space area surrounded by all sorts of cool-looking architecture like the unique Samruk Flying Theater that is reminiscent of a golden egg in a bird's nest, as well as large sandstone-colored buildings and an arcade full of cafes and restaurants you can indulge yourself in.
They also have air-conditioned areas which is perfect for those who are looking to escape the blazing heat of Turkestan since there is not a whole lot of shade around the mausoleum. Trust me, it will only take you a few minutes of walking around Turkestan to realize just how hot it actually is here.
If you are done with the mausoleums and are looking for a place to take it slow and enjoy a nice cup of coffee and lunch, be sure to drop by and check out Karavan Saray. The place is open from 10 AM to 10 PM every day.
Where to Stay in Shymkent?
There is not a whole lot to do in Turkestan except the mausoleum to make it worthwhile to stay overnight in my opinion so I highly recommend you travel to Shymkent, stay there, and visit Turkestan as a day trip instead. Here are some recommended accommodations you might like:
When to Visit Turkestan?
The best time to visit Turkestan is from April to May and September to October when the weather is not too hot or too cold which makes for a great climate to explore the outdoors of Turkestan.
Between June and August is also not a bad time to visit but due to the desert-like climate around Turkestan, it can get quite hot at times and there isn't a whole lot of shade around the city to shield you from it.
I was there in June and it was pretty hot outside but not unbearable, so if you happen to be in Kazakhstan during this period, you will be fine, but if you can choose, you will be a bit more comfortable if you go with the shoulder seasons I recommended instead.
How to Get from Shymkent to Turkestan?
Getting from Shymkent to Turkestan independently as a day trip is extremely easy and straightforward. All you have to do is hail a taxi with the YandexGo app from anywhere in Shymkent and go to Samal Bus Station. From there, you can ask the people working there where you can get a marshrutka/shared taxi to Turkestan (Туркестан) and they will direct you to the right platform.
For an air-con marshrutka, it will cost you around 1500 KZT and you will usually have to wait around 30 minutes for the car to fill up before it leaves. From then, it will take about 1.5 hours to get to Turkestan one way. Make sure you tell the driver to drop you off at the mausoleum before you get on the marshrutka. Just say "mausoleum" (мавзолей) and show them the picture and they should understand what you mean.
Once you are done in Turkestan, to get back from Turkestan to Shymkent, you can catch a taxi via YandexGo again to get to Merey Bus Station where you can then ask people there to direct you to cars going to Shymkent (Шымкент). It should cost you no more than 1200 KZT and takes about 1.5 hours to get back to Shymkent. Easy peasy! Total travel time is 3 hours both ways and costs less than 3000 KZT for the whole journey.
How to Get to Shymkent?
Since Shymkent is a big travel hub in this part of Kazakhstan, there are several ways you can get there from other big cities like Astana and Almaty.
From Astana and Almaty, there are several overnight trains you can take that will get you to Shymkent in 10 - 16 hours depending on the speed of the train.
The train should cost around 15,475 KZT for a first-class berth with a toilet built-in, which was really good, or you can get the second or third-class berths for cheaper prices. You can find the train schedule and book the ticket online from Tickets.kz.
You can also fly to Shymkent from Astana or Almaty via local airlines like FlyArystan and SCAT for around 22,000 KZT and 45,000 KZT, taking about 1 to 2 hours to arrive in Almaty and Astana respectively. You can find cheap flights to Shymkent here.
How to Get Around Turkestan?
Once you arrive in Turkestan, make sure you tell your driver to drop you off at the mausoleum so that you can start exploring the area immediately. Otherwise, the marshrutka will drop you off at Merey Bus Station which is 4 km away and you will have to take a taxi to the mausoleum.
If you are dropped at the mausoleum, you can get around the entire area on foot without problems. If you wish to go anywhere in Turkestan, you can easily hail a taxi using the YandexGo app. It is very affordable, and convenient, and you can pay with credit cards through the app.
How Long to Spend in Turkestan?
To see all the tourist attractions in Turkestan, it should take you from 3 to 5 hours depending on how long you want to stay at each place and how fast you walk in the blazing sun.
You do not need to stay overnight in Turkestan as there isn't a whole to do here other than the mausoleum and Karavan Saray which are all located in the same area and can easily be reachable on foot.
Instead of staying overnight in Turkestan, I recommend you stay in Shymkent and visit Turkestan on a day trip. Since Shymkent is a larger travel hub than Turkestan, you will find it much easier to get there from other big cities like Astana and Almaty.
Turkestan Entrance Tickets and Opening Hours?
The entrance fee to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi is 500 KZT per person and the opening hours are between 9 AM to 7 PM every day.
The entrance fee to the Underground Mosque of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi is another 500 KZT per person which also includes access to the small ancient bath museum nearby. The opening hours for both are from 9 AM to 6 PM every day.
In total, you should be paying around 1000 KZT for all the entrance fees in Turkestan.
How Much Does it Cost to visit Turkestan as a Day Trip from Shymkent?
With the information I have gathered here based on my experience, you can expect to pay around 5,000 KZT in total for your Turkestan day trip from Shymkent including taxi rides to bus stations (1,000 KZT), the journey from Shymkent to Turkestan and vice versa (3,000 KZT), and the entrance fees for the tourist attractions around Turkestan (1,000 KZT).
What to Pack for Turkestan?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Turkestan, Kazakhstan:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Turkestan, Kazakhstan in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Central Asia
Are you looking to dive deeper into Central Asia? Here are a selection of travel guides and itineraries for traveling in Central Asia:
- Looking for a complete one-month itinerary and a travel guide for Central Asia? One Month Itinerary for Central Asia
- For a complete itinerary to Kazakhstan, check out: 10 Days Backpacking in Kazakhstan Itinerary.
- Looking for things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan? Check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Almaty.
- If you are staying in Almaty for a while and want to explore the city's culinary delights, be sure to check out our 10 Best Cafes and Restaurants to Try in Almaty.
- Want to get off the beaten path in Kazakhstan? Shymkent is an awesome place to visit. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Shymkent.
- If you want to witness the city of the future in Central Asia, Astana is definitely the place you want to be. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Astana.
- A great country to start your journey in Central Asia is Kyrgyzstan, as it is the easiest country to enter the region. Here's a complete 3-week itinerary travel guide to Kyrgyzstan.
- Bishkek, the capital city, is a great place to use as a base for you to get all tourist visas for the surrounding countries like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and the city has a ton to offer. Here are the 10 things to do in Bishkek.
- Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, and one of the best treks you can do is the Ala Kul trek. Here's a travel guide for trekking the Ala Kul trail and how you can do it in 2 days.
- The Pamir Highway is one of the best road trips you can do in your life, and it begins in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and ends in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Here's a complete guide on how to plan your Pamir Highway road trip.
- If Kyrgyzstan is known for its mountains, then Uzbekistan is known for its culture and architecture. With several ancient Silk Road cities, there is a ton to see in Uzbekistan. Here's a 2-week itinerary and a travel guide in Uzbekistan.
- Last but not least, one of the hardest countries to visit in Central Asia is Turkmenistan, and you will require a lot of planning before you can visit. Here's a complete travel guide with a one-week itinerary for Turkmenistan.
- You can watch all my travel videos from Central Asia here: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
- Looking for more travel guides for Central Asia? You can find more on my Central Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit our All Destination Travel Guide page.
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