Turkestan is an ancient city in southern Kazakhstan, and the first thing to see in Turkestan is the UNESCO-listed Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum. This monument earned Turkestan its fame as the spiritual capital of the Turkic world. From Almaty you can get there by plane, by train or on the 2-day Turkestan tour by Panda Travel.
Below: what to see in one, two or three days, sights outside the city, getting there, timing and etiquette at the holy sites.
Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum: the main sight of Turkestan
Khoja Ahmed Yasawi was a 12th-century Sufi poet and preacher. His poems, known as hikmets, were written in a Turkic language that the people of the steppe understood, and they spread across Central Asia. At the end of the 14th century Timur ordered a monumental mausoleum to be built over his grave. Work stopped after Timur's death, so the main portal still has no tile facing, and the holes of the old scaffolding are visible in the brickwork.
Yasawi Mausoleum from the outside
Look for the huge portal, the ribbed turquoise dome over the burial chamber and the glazed bricks with geometric patterns and inscriptions. Walk all the way around the building: at the back the tilework is better preserved and you can see the whole dome. The best light for photographing the facade is in the morning and an hour before sunset.
Inside the Yasawi Mausoleum
There are about thirty halls and rooms under one roof. The largest is the Kazandyk; next to it are Yasawi's tomb, a prayer hall, a library, a room with a well and a refectory. In the middle of the Kazandyk stands a huge bronze taikazan, a cauldron once used to give water to pilgrims. For several decades it was kept in the Hermitage in Leningrad and returned to its place at the end of the last century. The monument has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003.
What else to see in Turkestan: the historic centre
The entire old part of the city belongs to the Azret-Sultan Museum Reserve. A walk around it takes 2-3 hours, and the monuments are just a few minutes apart.
- Rabiga Sultan Begim Mausoleum - a 15th-century tomb where Ulugbek's daughter is buried. The present building was reconstructed on the surviving foundations.
- Khilvet - an underground mosque and cell. Legend says Yasawi lived here in his old age. Mind your head at the entrance: the doorway is low.
- Old bathhouse - a domed building with underfloor heating, now housing a museum display.
- Juma Mosque - the Friday mosque next to the mausoleum.
- Citadel - the rebuilt fortress walls and gates, with a view over the square in front of the mausoleum.
Karavan-Saray and Turkestan in the evening
Karavan-Saray is a modern tourist complex opposite the historic centre: oriental-style streets, canals with boats, cafés, souvenir shops and hotels. After sunset the lights come on, and in the evening there is a show on the water. From here the mausoleum with its illuminated dome looks even more striking than by day.
An evening at Karavan-Saray is the natural end to your first day: the mausoleum and the museum during the day, a stroll and dinner after 18:00. The show runs on a schedule, so check the time locally on the day you arrive.
Sights near Turkestan
Arystan Bab Mausoleum
Arystan Bab was the spiritual teacher of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. His mausoleum stands near the village of Kogam, not far from Otrar. By tradition, pilgrims come here first and only then go on to Yasawi. The present building dates from the early 20th century and stands on the site of older structures.
Otrar ancient settlement
Otrar was one of the major cities of the Great Silk Road. In 1219 the Mongol invasion of Central Asia began here: the city fell after a long siege. Today you can see excavated quarters on the hill, along with the remains of a bathhouse, a mosque and the city gates. You explore the site on foot, and there is almost no shade. Finds such as pottery, coins and household items are shown at the district museum in Shauldir, usually visited before the hill.
Sauran ancient settlement
A medieval city north-west of Turkestan with well-preserved mud-brick walls. There are fewer visitors here than at Otrar, and the line of the walls can be seen from afar. Sauran is easy to visit on the way north or as a separate half-day trip.
| Place | What to see | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Yasawi Mausoleum | dome, tilework, Kazandyk, taikazan | 1-1.5 hours |
| Azret-Sultan Reserve | Rabiga Sultan Begim, Khilvet, bathhouse, walls | 1.5-2 hours |
| Karavan-Saray | stroll, canals, evening show | evening |
| Arystan Bab | mausoleum of Yasawi's teacher | about an hour |
| Otrar | ruins of a medieval city | 1-1.5 hours |
| Sauran | mud-brick walls of the old city | about an hour |
Turkestan itinerary for 1, 2 and 3 days
- One day. The Yasawi Mausoleum in the morning, then the Azret-Sultan Reserve and Khilvet. Rest after lunch, Karavan-Saray in the evening.
- Two days. Day one is the city. Day two is Arystan Bab and Otrar, returning to Turkestan by evening.
- Three days. Add Sauran to the two-day plan, plus a quiet second visit to the mausoleum early in the morning, when there are few people.
Two days is the best option for a first trip. You see the city and its surroundings without rushing and follow the pilgrim order: Arystan Bab first, then Yasawi.
How to get from Almaty to Turkestan
Turkestan is about 900 km away by road via Taraz and Shymkent. The city also has an airport, which opened in 2020.
| Option | Travel time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Plane | about 2 hours | a short trip of 1-2 days |
| Train | overnight | saving on a hotel, travelling at a relaxed pace |
| Car | with a stop in Shymkent | freedom of route, Sauran and Otrar on your own |
| Organised tour | tickets and transfers included | no hassle with logistics, guide included |
From the airport to the historic centre, take a taxi. Arystan Bab and Otrar are hard to reach without a car, as buses are rare, so on day two hire a taxi for the day or join a guided excursion.
Turkestan for pilgrims: traditions and legends
There is a popular saying that three trips to Turkestan equal a lesser hajj. That is why the mausoleum attracts many pilgrims from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey all year round. Many come as families after a wedding or the birth of a child, pray and share food.
Arystan Bab is linked to the legend of the date stone. According to tradition, the Prophet Muhammad gave it to Arystan Bab to pass on to a future disciple, and Arystan Bab searched for the boy for many years until he met the young Ahmed. The story is told at both mausoleums, and guides explain how it ties the two places into a single route.
In practice, the holy sites are crowded at weekends and on holidays; for quiet, empty halls come early on a weekday morning.
Best time to visit Turkestan
Southern Kazakhstan is hotter than Almaty. In summer daytime temperatures exceed +35 °C, which makes the open archaeological sites hard going. The best time is April-May and September-October: warm, dry, with even light for photos. Winter is milder than in Almaty, snow does not last long and there are few tourists. In summer, get to the mausoleum when it opens, and leave Otrar for the early morning or after 17:00.
Rules for visiting the mausoleum and holy sites
The Yasawi Mausoleum and Arystan Bab are active pilgrimage sites. People come here as families, pray and read the Quran. A few simple rules will spare you any awkwardness:
- shoulders and knees covered, women wear a headscarf;
- speak quietly inside the mausoleum and do not interrupt people at prayer;
- take photos inside only where it is allowed, and without flash;
- do not touch the tombstones unnecessarily or sit on the railings.
What to pack for Turkestan and travelling with kids
Your packing list should include a sun hat, water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes for the archaeological sites, a scarf or light wrap for the holy sites and cash for souvenirs and sweets from the stalls. With children, keep the plan gentle: the city and Karavan-Saray on the first day, the trip out of town on the second. Kids enjoy the boats on the canals, the taikazan cauldron and a walk along the citadel walls. At the Otrar excavations, keep children away from the edges.
Common mistakes tourists make in Turkestan
- Trying to see both the city and Otrar in one day from Almaty: half the time goes on travel.
- Coming in July without enough water and heading to the ruins at midday.
- Forgetting the dress code: you will be asked to cover up at the entrance.
- Skipping Arystan Bab, even though for pilgrims it is the essential first stop.
- Not booking a hotel for holidays: during Nauryz and in summer the city is full.
FAQ: Turkestan
How many days do I need for Turkestan?
Ideally two: one for Turkestan itself and one for Otrar and the Arystan Bab Mausoleum.
Can I visit Turkestan from Almaty in one day?
Only by plane and at a very fast pace: you will see the mausoleum and the centre, but there will be no time left for Otrar.
Is there a dress code at the mausoleum?
Yes, clothes should cover shoulders and knees, and women are advised to cover their heads.
What is there to see in Turkestan in the evening?
The Karavan-Saray complex opposite the mausoleum, with its lights, canals and evening show.
Why do pilgrims visit Arystan Bab first?
Arystan Bab was Yasawi's teacher. By tradition, pilgrims first visit the teacher and then the disciple.
Which other sights in Turkestan are worth seeing?
The Rabiga Sultan Begim Mausoleum, the underground Khilvet mosque, the old bathhouse, the citadel walls and the ancient settlement of Sauran.
When is Turkestan least hot?
In spring and autumn. In summer daytime temperatures exceed +35 °C, so excursions are moved to the morning and evening.
Want to visit Turkestan without the hassle of tickets and planning? See the 2-day Turkestan tour by Panda Travel.
