Steppe Ruins and Shrines Near Turkistan
The land around Turkistan is open steppe, and the sights on it are far apart, medieval and mostly unshaded. Pick the outing by the kind of day you want, then plan the start time around the heat: July highs reach 35 to 40 C.
For Ruins on the Steppe: Sauran
The ruins of Sauran are about 43 to 46 km north-west of Turkistan. The Azret Sultan reserve describes it as a site of the 13th to 18th centuries, and what stands today is a line of mudbrick walls across flat ground. Nothing gives shade, so carry water and a hat and go early. Ask taxi drivers for “Krepost Sauran”, because a village shares the name. A return taxi has been quoted at about 8,000 KZT. Sauran is not on the World Heritage list.
For a Silk Road City and a Shrine: Otrar and Arystan Bab
These two sit about 50 km south of Turkistan in a straight line, and the road is longer, so allow roughly an hour each way. Ask for Talapty village to reach the main ruins. The Otyrar State Archaeological Museum-Reserve, set up in 1979, looks after a city that stood where the Arys meets the Syr Darya. Excavations began in 1969. A trade caravan of about 450 men was reported killed here in 1218, the Mongols besieged the city for five months in 1219, and Timur fell ill and died here in February 1405 while gathering troops. Otrar belongs to Kazakhstan’s UNESCO tentative nomination track but is not inscribed.
Arystan Bab Mausoleum is beside the ruins, about 55 to 60 km from Turkistan. Pilgrims traditionally visit this Sufi shrine before they go to the Yasawi Mausoleum. The present building was completed in the first decade of the 20th century and keeps its original carved wooden columns. Dress modestly and keep to the quiet manners of a place of worship.
Hotel-arranged return taxis to Otrar cost about 15,000 KZT in 2023. Minibuses back can stop running by mid-afternoon, so fix your return before you set out.
For the Foot of the Mountains: Ukasha Ata
Ukasha Ata, a mausoleum with a well, sits where the Karatau range begins, about 47 to 55 km north of the city. The spread in distance reflects different routes, so agree the road and the fare with the driver.
For City Life: Shymkent
Shymkent is about 160 km south-east. Minibuses and shared cars take around 2 hours from its bus stations, and fares are a few thousand tenge at most. By rail the trip takes roughly 3 to 4 hours, depending on the train. The city has bazaars, museums and a citadel. Our Shymkent city guide lists more.
Closer to Home: Gauhar Ana
The mausoleum of Gauhar Ana, Yasawi’s daughter, is about 4 to 6 km from the centre, so a short taxi ride covers it.
Outings That Are Too Far
Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve is about 90 to 100 km from Shymkent and needs a permit and a guide, which makes it an overnight trip. Charyn Canyon is more than 1,000 km away near Almaty. Aydar Kul, Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara are in Uzbekistan. Aisha Bibi mausoleum is near Taraz.
Read more: multi-day trips from Turkistan shows how to link these outings into a longer stay.
The reserve describes Sauran at azretsultan.kz , and the Astana Times covers the Otrar oasis. Wikipedia on Otrar adds the 1218 to 1219 events. Group departures can be searched on GetYourGuide .