Turkestan or Turkistan (Kazakh: Түркістан Türkistan) is a small but ancient city in the Kazakh Desert. There are many historical sights in this relatively well preserved, 1600-year-old city.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
In the 11th century CE, the great Sufi sheikh Khoja Ahmed Yasawi lived and preached here. At the end of the 14th century, Emir Timur ordered the creation of a large mausoleum, mosque and madrassah on the site of his grave. Later, it became the capital of the Kazakh Khanate, and a large number of Kazakh khans, batyrs, generals, and well-known statesmen of the Kazakh Khanate were buried here. Now this place has become a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although historically part of the Kazakh Khanate, Turkestan used to have a majority population of Uzbeks, who constitute a large minority.
Public buses operate in Turkestan. Public transport directions are available on Yandex Maps and 2GIS. A useful line is bus 15, which runs from the train station to the mausoleum via Merey bus station. A ticket costs 100 tenge; cash is accepted on board, and card or Kaspi QR payment may be available on buses with a validator or QR sticker (July 2026). The Yandex Go ride hailing app operates in Turkestan.
1 Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Мавзолей Ходжи Ахмеда Ясави). 09:00-18:00. Commissioned in 1389 for the 12th-century Sufi poet and mystic Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, but never finished. This mausoleum is nevertheless a major destinations for pilgrimages from across Central Asia and has come to epitomize the Kazakh national identity. Since this is a religious place dress accordingly. Shorts are not permitted, and shoulders should be covered. Headscarves are handed out at the entrance of the mausoleum for free.
The area around the Yasavi Mausoleum has a number of historical buildings and a large mosque. It's a nice park to walk around if not only for the monuments. There isn't a huge amount to do in Turkestan outside of the centre. Football: FC Turan were relegated in 2025 so they now play soccer in First Division, the second tier. Turkistan Arena (capacity 7000) is 5 km east of city centre. The playing season is March-Nov.
1 Al-Fatih Restaurant (Әл-Фатих), ☏ +7 708 585 3244. 11:00–23:00 daily. Large restaurant with many different types of food: fruits, crackers and traditional Kazakh bread. There is also an entrance for wheelchairs. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Karavan Saray (Караван сарай), Tauke Khan Ave, ☏ +7 702 902 3727. 10:00–23:00 daily. Another large restaurant with traditional Kazakh architecture. It serves organic food, fast food and children's food. (updated Dec 2021) 3 Bayterek Restaurant, Tauke Khan Ave (near the Atf Bank and Forte Bank), ☏ +7 707 312 4158. 08:00–00:00 daily. (updated Dec 2021)
Turkestan is much more Muslim than the rest of the country, meaning that many venues do not serve alcohol, and most minimarkets do not stock alcohol. It is possible to find alcohol only in big supermarkets. Areas such as the Caravan Saray do not serve alcohol, despite being touristy in other regards. Top Tobe, the rooftop terrace bar at the Hampton by Hilton. Serves a range of beers, wines and spirits (Oct 2025). Edem Bar (Эдем), Kozhanov St, +7 702 000 9066, open until 23:00 but no longer serves alcohol (Oct 2025). 1 Dastan Coffee Shop (Кафе " Дастан "), Tauke Khan Ave (179 m northeast of Bayterek), ☏ +7 701 248 0105. 11:30–22:30 daily.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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