Since I started reading about Kazakhstan, Turkestan was one of the places I was most interested in visiting. I knew it had a significant historical significance and that it was home to one of the most important monuments of the Islamic world in Central Asia. It was a place I had been wanting to see for a while, and it finally exceeded my expectations.
Turkestan is a city that blends spirituality, impressive architecture, and a very particular calm. Despite the fact that much of the historic center has been renovated for tourism, it still exudes a tranquil energy, with people coming to pray, stroll, or simply sit in the gardens. It was one of the surprises of the trip, and in this post, I'll tell you what to see, how to get there, and why it's worth including Turkestan on a route through Kazakhstan.
Table of Contents
🏛️ A bit of history: Turkestan, the spiritual heart of Kazakhstan
Turkestan is one of the oldest and holiest cities in Central Asia. Its history dates back more than 1,500 years, when it was an important trading center on the Silk Road. However, its true historical and spiritual weight came in the 14th century, with the figure of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, an influential Sufi poet and mystic who turned the city into a place of pilgrimage.
After his death, Tamerlane (Timur), the great Turco-Mongol conqueror, ordered the construction of the mausoleum that is today the emblem of the city, not only as a tomb, but as a symbol of power and cultural identity. For centuries, Turkestan was considered the spiritual capital of the Turkic world, and it was even said that making three pilgrimages to Turkestan was equivalent to making one to Mecca.
Under Russian and Soviet rule, the city lost some of its influence, but never its symbolism. In recent years, the Kazakh government has launched extensive renovations to restore its central location.
🏗️ Turkestan Today: Between the Sacred and the Modern
In recent years, Turkestan has undergone a radical transformation. The Kazakh government decided to highlight its historical and spiritual significance and turn it into a new tourist and cultural hub for the country. The result is a city where the old and the new coexist in a striking way.
Around the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, which remains the city's soul, pedestrian boulevards, parks, fountains, museums, new hotels, and even a modern shopping mall have been built. Everything is well lit, signposted, and geared toward local and international tourism. At times, the place may seem more like a theme park than a historical site, but the mix is interesting and still offers a unique experience.
The city also has a modern train connecting it to other major cities, new accommodation complexes, and even areas with nighttime light shows. Despite these changes, Turkestan hasn't completely lost its tranquility: a certain spiritual calm still lingers, especially in the evening, when most of the visitors have left and the locals have returned to occupy the spaces.
🚆 How to get to Turkestan from Almaty, Astana, and Aralsk
Turkestan is well connected to the rest of Kazakhstan, especially Almaty and Astana (Nur-Sultan), so getting there is relatively easy, although journeys can be long if you travel by land.
👉 From Almaty
The most common way to get there is by night train. The journey takes between 15 and 17 hours, depending on the service and train type (there are several categories, from the most basic to the most comfortable with beds). Tickets can be booked in advance on the official website tickets.kz or through apps like Railways of Kazakhstan.
There are also direct flights from Almaty Airport to Turkestan Airport. They are operated by local airlines and take just over an hour, but prices are usually higher than the train.
👉 From Astana (Nur-Sultan)
From the capital, you can also take the night train, although the journey is a little longer than from Almaty: it can take between 16 and 19 hours. As with Almaty, there are different classes of train, and it's a good idea to book in advance.
Another quick option is the direct flight from Astana Airport, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. If you're short on time, this is the best option.
👉 From Aralsk
If you're in Aralsk visiting the Aral Sea Desert, getting to Turkestan is fairly easy. Daily trains connect the two cities, following the same route as the line that goes to Almaty.
How to get from Turkestan Railway Station to the Mausoleum
Turkestan is a small city and is well connected by scheduled buses. If you arrived by train and want to take public transportation to the Mausoleum, you can take a bus from the stop just outside the train station. It's a 20-minute ride and will drop you off near the complex or the new Karavansaray shopping center.
🕌 What to do and see in Turkestan
Turkestan revolves around its religious and cultural history, but in recent years it has also gained modern attractions. Here's a list of places you can't miss:
🕋 Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
This imposing mausoleum is the undisputed icon of Turkestan and one of the most important monuments in Central Asia. It was built at the end of the 14th century by order of Tamerlane (Timur) in honor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a poet, philosopher and Sufi mystic who had an enormous influence on the Turkic-Muslim world. Yasawi was a much-loved preacher, and his tomb became a site of pilgrimage.
The mausoleum was never fully completed, but it is still impressive in its scale and design. It has a large central turquoise ceramic dome, considered one of the largest of its time, brick walls decorated with geometric patterns and Islamic calligraphy, and inside it houses prayer rooms, secondary tombs and a gigantic bronze cauldron used in rituals.
The place is very active: you will see pilgrims, local visitors and tourists walking around the grounds. It's a place with a strong spiritual presence, but also very photogenic and well-preserved. I recommend visiting it during daylight and returning at dusk to see it illuminated.
🕌 How does it compare to the mausoleums of Uzbekistan?
If you're traveling through Central Asia and have already been to Uzbekistan, you're probably wondering if it's worth visiting yet another mausoleum. The answer for me is yes, the one in Turkestan is unique and feels different.
In Uzbekistan, especially in Samarkand and Bukhara, mausoleums and madrasas are restored with bright colors, gleaming mosaics, and a strong decorative aesthetic. They are very photogenic and are surrounded by large, harmonious architectural complexes, such as the Registan or the Shah-i-Zinda complex.
In contrast, the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum conveys a more sober and monumental feeling. It has an imposing scale and a robust design, with large brick blocks, less ornamentation on the facade and architecture that feels more primitive and authentic. Indeed, it is one of the earliest examples of Timurid architecture, predating even many works in Uzbekistan.
Plus, it feels more spiritual and less touristy. There are real pilgrims, prayers, and a calm energy that distinguishes it from the constant hustle and bustle of more touristy Uzbek cities.
🌳 Walk through the historic complex and its gardens
The entire area around the mausoleum has been renovated and is now a spacious pedestrian area with gardens, fountains, benches, and well-maintained paths. It's ideal for a leisurely stroll, especially at dusk, when the heat subsides and a special peace reigns.
🕌 Central Mosque of Turkestan
The Central Mosque of Turkestan is one of the city's most important and striking religious buildings, complementing the imposing presence of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Recently built, it stands out for its modern architecture that fuses traditional Islamic elements with contemporary design.
Its façade is adorned with geometric details and arches characteristic of Islamic art, while its domes and minarets maintain an elegant and sober profile that blends with its historic surroundings. Inside, the space is spacious and bright, designed to welcome the local community during prayers and religious celebrations.
In addition to its spiritual function, the mosque serves as a meeting point for residents and visitors, reflecting the active religious life and importance of faith in Kazakh culture. Its proximity to the mausoleum makes it easy for tourists to visit both sites in a single tour.
🏙️ Karavansaray: the new tourist center
Just a few steps from the mausoleum is the Karavansaray, a modern complex recently built to expand Turkestan's tourist offerings. It's an open-air shopping and entertainment center with architecture inspired by the ancient caravanserais of the Silk Road, but with a new, stylized, and almost stage-like design. It reminded me a lot of what I saw in Dubai, where everything is new and artificial but with an "antique" aesthetic.
It has shops, restaurants, cafes, a small canal with boats, and performance spaces. Although everything is clearly geared toward tourism, it's a fun walk, ideal for a stroll after visiting the mausoleum.
The best time to visit is at night, when there's a light, water, and music show at the main fountain. It's modern and perhaps a bit out of touch with history, but it's a beautiful spectacle and completely free: it's visually appealing and creates a lovely atmosphere to end the day.
🏛️ Museums and cultural spaces that look like a brain
Within the complex, there are also small museums that tell the history of Turkestan and Yasawi's life. There are even interactive exhibits and archaeological exhibits. Some have signs in English, others don't, but you can still explore them with interest.
One of the cultural centers has a structure resembling the shape of a brain and stands out for its innovative and futuristic design. It is a symbol of the blend of history and modernity that Turkestan is experiencing.
🛍️ Shopping center and new city
In contrast to the historic center, Turkestan also shows its modern side with shopping, cafes, new hotels, and lively squares. If you're interested in seeing how the city is developing and how the old and the new coexist, it's worth a visit.
Monument to Tamerlane (Timur)
Statue or memorial honoring the great conquistador who commissioned the mausoleum. It's an interesting photo spot for history buffs.
🛏️ Where to stay in Turkestan?
Turkestan has grown significantly as a tourist destination in recent years, and this is also evident in its hotel offering. Although it's not a huge city, there are several accommodation options, from modern hotels to simpler guesthouses.
🏨 Modern hotels near the historic complex
The most convenient area to stay is near the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, where the new tourist developments are concentrated. There you'll find chain hotels or newly built ones, many with breakfast included, good Wi-Fi, and staff who speak some English.
🏠 More economical options
If you're traveling on a backpacker's budget, there are also hostels, guesthouses, or small family-run hotels. They're simpler, but sufficient if you just need a clean bed and a shower.
I stayed at the Nazar Hotel and Hostel, and I highly recommend it. It's well-priced, has new, modern facilities, and is conveniently located.
Video with images captured in Turkestan
🧳 Conclusion: Is Turkestan worth visiting?
I liked it and I recommend it. Visiting Turkestan allows you to discover another side of Kazakhstan, one that is more spiritual and steeped in history, contrasting with the modernity of cities like Almaty or Astana. It's an ideal destination to get off the beaten track and connect with the country's cultural past.
Now, if you've already been to Uzbekistan, the mausoleum's architecture probably won't surprise you that much, as it bears similarities to what you'd see in Samarkand or Bukhara. But even so, Turkestan has its own value: it feels less touristy, more relaxed, and still maintains a peaceful atmosphere, especially in the off-season.
Plus, with all the new attractions being added, like the Karavansaray and the development of the pedestrian center, the city is gaining interest beyond the mausoleum. If you have time on your route through Kazakhstan, spending a couple of days in Turkestan is a great idea.
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