If you’re interested to go to Kazakhstan, here’s our short article noting down a few of the very best activities as well as trips in the Turkistan region of the country. “Turkistan” (sometimes Turkestan) refers to both the city as well as the higher region. For many of its recent history, the region was called South Kazakhstan up until it was officially renamed to Turkistan region in 2018.
After the prayer, the guy emerged from the hall, walked in my direction, as well as started a conversation with me in the vernacular. After four days in Kazakhstan, I had gotten utilized to being mistaken as a local, so I politely stated I might not understand. I caught the word Thailand in his next question, so I responded to that I was from the Philippines.
In a warm voice provided with a smile, he stated one more sentence in Kazakh. Thankfully, by this time, somebody from our trip group was close-by as well as equated for us. “I’m not sure if you’re Christian or Muslim,” he translated, “but that doesn’t matter since everybody is welcome here.” before stating goodbye, he shook my hand as well as said, “May Allah bless you.”
Amid the grandeur of the setting, it is moments such as this that I keep in mind the most about South Kazakhstan, moments that highlight its people, their warmth, as well as multiculturalism. prior to my visit, “diversity” won’t be the very first word to find to my mind when I believed about Kazakhstan. Yet, the much more I discovered about the country, the much more it made sense to me. part of the historic Silk road that linked the east as well as the West, the Turkistan region is at the crossroads of cultures. many of the locals I satisfied look Asian, speak Russian, as well as method Islam. as well as as our trip went on, we found a great deal much more about their elaborate heritage.
Turkistan is likewise one of the country’s many diverse regions in terms of landscapes as well as scenery. From the highlands of Aksu-Zhabagly to the contemporary oasis of Shymkent to the deserts surrounding its ancient cities, Turkistan has something for each type of traveler.
If you’re planning to set foot in this part of Kazakhstan, right here are a few of the very best attractions.
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
Shymkent City Tour
Arbat walking Street
Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve Treks
Aksu Canyon
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
Arystan Bab Mausoleum
Otrar Ruins
Sauran Ruins
Turkistan Market
Kazakh Food Trip
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Shymkent City Tour
Technically, Shymkent isn’t a part of Turkistan region or any type of region since it is administratively detached. however if you’re going to the region, Shymkent is practically unavoidable. since it is totally surrounded by the region as well as is the largest city in the area, it stays the most practical gateway as well as the most perfect base for travelers checking out Turkistan. It has its own flight terminal as well as the greatest concentration of lodging as well as dining
options.
South Kazakhstan museum of History
Baydibek bi Monument
Starting your go to with a city trip will provide you a much-needed primer. decrease by the museum of South Kazakhstan regional history as well as its four halls showcasing nature/paleontology, ethnography, Kazakh Khanate history, as well as independence. just a short walk from the museum building are essential landmarks including Monument “Baydibek bi,” standing atop a hill in honor of Baydibek Karashauly, who was a essential figure in unifying the Kazakh people.
Arbat walking Street
Definitely my preferred area in all of Shymkent. Arbat is a 500-meter pedestrian street linking Al Farabi Square as well as Republic Avenue, dotted with cafes as well as enjoyment attractions, as well as decorated with flowers. It is vibrant as well as vibrant, frequented by locals as well as tourists alike. Its energy is likewise unrivaled by any type of other location in the city. Dancers method their routines along the way, street musicians carry out on the side, as well as children present at IG-worthy spots.
It is finest went to at night when 12 angel figures illuminate the walkway, producing a wonderful atmosphere!
Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve Treks
The Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, the oldest reserve in Kazakhstan as well as even in central Asia, occupies the northwestern mountains of the Tien Shan range, a UNESCO world Heritage Site. These snow-capped peaks as well as flower-adorned valleys dominate the landscapes of the reserve, composing picturesque scenery that can take any type of hiker’s breath away. Some parts are available by 4×4 cars on a rough road winding on mountainsides. however for the full experience, you can opt for a climb on foot as well as comply with the recognized Kshi-Kaindy Waterfall, Ulken Kaindy Gorge as well as Kaska-Bulak petroglyphs trails.
But this adventureland is much more than just spectacular views. It is house to over 40 endangered plant types including the wild grape as well as wild tulip types as well as over 40 extremely endangered mammals including the Himalayan brown bear as well as the extremely unusual snow leopard. We were on the lookout for them during our visit, however we sadly didn’t get to see any.
The Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve is an essential natural treasure, so gos to are regulated as well as the number of visitors enabled is limited. Make sure to coordinate with the authorities or with a travel company before your visit.
Aksu Canyon
Aksu Canyon is still part of the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve however detached from Kshi-Kaindy/Ulken-Kaindy area. This postcard-perfect canyon is 15 km long, dotted with a number of viewpoints along the way. visitors may select to trip 500 meters down to the cold, blue Aksu River below.
Make sure to bring lots of drinking water since if you’re as in shape as I am (which implies not in shape at all, LOL), the trip can be quite challenging. since it’s still within the nature reserve, the number of visitors enabled is limited. Make sure to coordinate with the authorities or with a travel company before your visit.
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
Inscribed as a world Heritage site in 2003, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is the most essential historic structure in this part of Kazakhstan. This colossal monument is not only an architectural accomplishment however likewise a religious pilgrimage site. It shelters the tomb of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, an early mystic who established the very first Turkic Sufi purchase as well as was accountable for the spread of Islam in central Asia.
Its building began in 1389, upon the purchase of Timur, a Turco-Mongol Persianate ruler, however was not completed when he died in 1405.
Arystan Bab Mausoleum
Another pilgrimage site in the area — however better to the town of Otrartobe than to Turkistan City — is Arystan Bab Mausoleum, developed in the 14th century on top of the serious of Arystan Baba.
Arystan Baba is an early mystic as well as a legendary figure in Turkic history, stated to have lived for 400 years. He is likewise believed to be the instructor of Khodja Akhmed Yasawi.
The mausoleum has been destroyed as well as reconstructed numerous times over the centuries, however the present building was developed in the 20th century. The only original features that stay are the two wooden pillars, showcased in one of the rooms.
Otrar Ruins
Otrar was when a prosperous city established before the 8th century. At a tactical place along the historic Silk Road, it serves as a connection between China, Europe, as well as the middle East. In its heyday, the city has created figures like Abu Nasr al Farabi, a popular philosopher, jurist, poet as well as scientist.
But it is likewise widely known for the so-called Otrar Catastrophe, wherein the city fiercely however unsuccessfully defended the city against the attacks of Genghis Khan’s forces in 1218. When they were done razing it to the ground, the Mongols are stated to have slaughtered every single inhabitant of the city. This serves as the pretext to the Mongols’ invasion of central Asia.
Today, only the ruins of this ancient settlement remain. It was very first excavated in 1969 however is now available to tourists who are prepared to discover much more about the city’s increase as well as fall.
Sauran Ruins
Another ancient city along the Silk road was Sauran (Sawran), established in the 6th century. It was a big fortified city, the largest at the time in what is today’s Kazakhstan as well as the center of ceramic production in the region.
Unlike Otrar, Sauran stayed standing after the Mongol invasion since unlike Otrar, it did not truly put up a fight. It even ended up being the funding of the Mongol White Horde. however like Otrar, it didn’t make it through the times. As the Silk road declined, so did Sauran.
Today, only the ruins of its walls as well as some bastions remain.
Turkistan Market
If you’re planning to go to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi as well as the ruins of ancient cities, you’ll most likely gonna spend at least one night in the city of Turkistan. If that’s the situation as well as you have totally free time during the day, try to pay a go to to the city’s market to shop for mementos or fruits.
One thing that truly amazed me about Kazakhstan is the high high quality of their produce. I wasn’t expecting to discover tasty fruits as well as vegetables here. go to the market as well as purchase some wonderful grapes, plums or peaches, or try a conventional drink. It’s likewise a fantastic method to interact with the locals as well as catch a peek of their everyday life.
Before taking pictures of people, ask consent first. They’re not utilized to tourists right here so photography makes some vendors uncomfortable.
Kazakh Food Trip
Traditional Kazakh cuisine is predominantly meat as well as dairy. The poster dishes of Kazakhstan are beshbarmak as well as pilaf. Beshbarmak, actually “five fingers” since it is typically eaten with bare hands, is composed of pieces of meat on top of boiled pasta sheets. Pilaf, on the other hand, is meat fried with onions, carrots, as well as rice. Both typically utilize equine meat, however mutton as well as beef are now much more typical particularly in the cities.
Some of our favorites are manti, meat dumplings; laghman, pulled noodles with meat as well as veggies; as well as chak chak, noodle crispies coated with honey.
My typical diet plan is 90% plant-based as well as I’m allergic to milk so I was a bit concerned in the beginning, however I discovered Kazakh food to be extremely delightful. Yes, it’s predominantly meat, however there’s likewise a great deal of non-meat choices too. I had my sweetest melons as well as the best-tasting tomatoes of my life in Kazakhstan!
Don’t fail to remember to cap off your meal with a cup of black tea! Or if you have a much more adventurous palate, try kumys, which is fermented equine milk.
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