Top places to visit in Turkistan

• Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

  timurid mausoleum · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important pilgrimage destination in Kazakhstan, this immense 14th-century mausoleum was commissioned by Timur (Tamerlane) in 1389 to honour the Sufi poet and philosopher Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Left…

• Hilvet Underground Mosque

  underground mosque · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 12th-century underground cave mosque carved into the soft gypsum bedrock beneath Turkistan, believed to be where Khoja Ahmed Yasawi himself retreated to meditate and pray. The narrow carved chambers, prayer niches, and ancient decorative…

• Ancient Turkistan Citadel (Kultobe)

  archaeological site · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The archaeological remains of the ancient city of Shavgar, predecessor to Turkistan, excavated and partially reconstructed as an open-air heritage park. Kultobe hill reveals 2,000 years of continuous habitation — Scythian burial mounds,…

• Arystan Bab Mausoleum

  mausoleum · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Mausoleum of Arystan Bab, spiritual teacher of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a major pilgrimage site near Turkistan.

• Karavan Saray Turkistan Complex

  complex · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Modern Silk-Road-themed shopping and cultural complex adjacent to the Yasawi Mausoleum grounds.

• Rabiga Sultan Begim Mausoleum

  mausoleum · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Restored 15th-century mausoleum of a Timurid-era queen, standing beside the Yasawi complex.

• Independence Park Turkistan

  urban-park · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  City park near the historic center with fountains and monuments, popular for evening strolls.

• Turkistan Regional History Museum

  history-museum · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Museum tracing the Silk Road and Kazakh history of the Turkistan region.

Things to do

• Yasawi Mausoleum Heritage Guided Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from KZT 4,600 per person
• Yasawi Mausoleum Sunset & Evening Illumination Walk Cultural · 2 h · from KZT 3,600 per person
• Arystan Bab Mausoleum Pilgrimage Day Trip Cultural · 4 h · from USD 40 per person
• Karavan Saray Complex & Old City Walking Tour Cultural · 2 h · from USD 20 per person

Day trips and tours

• Turkistan Heritage & Otrar Ruins Tour 8 h · from KZT 10,200

Where to stay in Turkistan

• Heritage Zone about KZT 45 per night

  Accommodation clustered near the UNESCO-listed Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi — purpose-built pilgrim and tourist hotels, many with views of the monument.

• New Town about KZT 55 per night

  Modern part of Turkistan developed since 2019 — government buildings, newer hotels, and the reconstructed TURKIC HAN complex. Better amenities than the heritage zone.

Hotels

• Rixos Turkistan 5-star · USD 100 to USD 250 per night
• Hotel Turkistan Palace 4-star · KZT 18,000 to KZT 40,000 per night
• Hampton by Hilton Turkistan 3-star · USD 45 to USD 90 per night
• Hotel Yassawi 3-star · KZT 8,000 to KZT 18,000 per night

Where to eat

• Yassawi Dastarkhan Kazakh, Central Asian · about KZT 1,800 per person
• Karavansaray Restaurant Kazakh, Central Asian, Uzbek · about KZT 2,500 per person
• Heritage Chaikhona Kazakh, Central Asian, Tea House · about KZT 800 per person
• Astau Kazakh, Central Asian · about USD 10 per person
• Epos Café Cafe · about USD 6 per person

Getting to Turkistan

Airport: Turkistan (HSA)

How visitors arrive in Turkistan

• Fly into Hazrat Sultan Airport By air from Almaty · common

  Direct flights arrive from Almaty, Aktobe and several other cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train from Almaty or Tashkent By train from Almaty · common

  Trains run from Almaty and from Tashkent in Uzbekistan. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Minibus from Shymkent By road from Shymkent · common

  Minivans run from a Shymkent bazaar to Merey bus station in Turkistan, leaving when full. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• City bus 15 from the railway station unconfirmed

  Bus 15 links the railway station with the Yasawi Mausoleum area via Merey bus station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• The Yandex Go ride-hailing app is listed as operating in Turkistan. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Taxi

  Turkistan's local transport is buses and taxis, and the Yandex Go ride-hailing app also operates in the city.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced Entry "Add-ons"

  Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum gate

  Unofficial "assistants" charge 500–2,000 KZT for a map or to "unlock" certain interior sections that are freely accessible.

  How to avoid it: The single official admission ticket covers all open interior sections. Reject any add-on payments.

• Souvenir Price Gouging

  Craft stalls outside Yasawi Mausoleum

  Prices shown to tourists for ceramics and felt goods are 5× the price in Turkistan city bazaar.

  How to avoid it: Visit the city central market for the same items at local prices.

Best time to visit Turkistan

• Jan 2°C
• Feb 5°C
• Mar 14°C
• Apr 22°C
• May 29°C
• Jun 35°C
• Jul 36°C
• Aug 35°C
• Sep 29°C
• Oct 21°C
• Nov 11°C
• Dec 3°C

More in Kazakhstan

• Almaty
• Astana
• Shymkent
• Aktau
• Oskemen

Frequently asked questions about Turkistan

How many days do you need in Turkistan?

A typical trip to Turkistan is 1 day.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Turkistan?

The highest-rated places in our Turkistan guide are Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Arystan Bab Mausoleum, Hilvet Underground Mosque, Rabiga Sultan Begim Mausoleum, Ancient Turkistan Citadel (Kultobe).

Where should I stay in Turkistan?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Turkistan: Heritage Zone, New Town.

How do I get around Turkistan?

Ways to get around Turkistan covered in our guide: Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Turkistan?

Scams reported to us for Turkistan include Overpriced Entry "Add-ons"; Souvenir Price Gouging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Turkistan?

Average daytime highs in Turkistan run from 2°C in Jan to 36°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Turkistan?

The nearest airport to Turkistan has the code HSA.