{"id":185808,"date":"2024-03-19T12:51:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-19T10:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travel-advisor.eu\/?p=185808"},"modified":"2024-03-19T12:51:37","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T10:51:37","slug":"silk-road-in-kazakhstan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travel-advisor.eu\/en\/silk-road-in-kazakhstan\/","title":{"rendered":"Silk Road in Kazakhstan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Turkistan Region in Kazakhstan<\/h1>\n

Turkistan is one of the regions of Kazakhstan, located in the south of the country. It is home to various ethnic groups, which is reflected in the richness of its culture, languages, and traditions. Among the most significant ethnic groups in the region are the Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Russians, and Turkmens. The rich blend of cultures makes the Turkistan region an exceptionally interesting destination for exploring and getting acquainted with the cultural diversity of Kazakhstan. The region plays an important role in the economy of Kazakhstan. It is home to about three million inhabitants and is considered the most densely populated. The two most important cities are Turkistan and Shymkent.<\/p>\n

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Turkistan City<\/h3>\n

Formerly known as Yasi, it is one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan and holds great cultural and religious significance. It means “the land of the Turks” as it was first settled by former Turkish nomads in the 6th century, who used it as a caravan station along the Silk Road.<\/p>\n

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi<\/h3>\n

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Built-in the 14th century as a dedicated complex to the Sufi mystic and poet. Yasawi was the founder of the Yasawiyya order and an important figure in the development of Islam in Central Asia. It is considered one of the most important Islamic shrines in Central Asia, and UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2003. The mausoleum features a distinctive central dome and complex architectural design. The architecture combines elements of Islamic and Central Asian traditions, and the complex includes a mosque, tomb, and other buildings. The tiled mausoleum stands 38.7 meters tall and is topped by a turquoise dome, the largest in Central Asia. It is considered one of the best-preserved architectural structures of the Timurid Empire, which ruled this area in the 14th century.<\/p>\n

Turkistan City on the Silk Road<\/h3>\n
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Turkistan City has a long history dating back to antiquity. It was an important center on the Silk Road and played a significant role in the development of trade, culture, and religion in this part of the world. Today, the Railway Station is an interesting place, known for its uniquely rounded arch and attractive walls painted in the color of mint from the time of Imperial Russia.<\/p>\n

Modern Turkistan<\/h3>\n
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Next to the Mausoleum, an ultra-modern complex of buildings called Keruen-Saray has been built. Locals sometimes call it “Kazakh Venice” because of the canals between squares and buildings. The Caravanserai complex offers much more than a gondola ride illuminated by moonlight. It is the most modern and largest tourist complex in this part of Asia. Located on Bekzat Sattarkhanov Avenue, named after the late Kazakh Olympic boxer, it is the center of cultural pride and hospitality and the world of Turkestan entertainment, all in one place. There is a street of merchants and craftsmen from the time of the Silk Road. Then there is a flying theater, an amphitheater for equestrian performances, an oriental bazaar, shopping centers, boutiques, hotels, and restaurants, as well as a spa and fitness center cinema. The cinema is particularly interesting, actually an IMAX projection of a wonderful video showing Kazakhstan in the best light. Along with a range of available shows and entertainment packages, the nighttime parade of boats is famous, showcasing the tragic saga of Kyz-Zhibek and Tolgen, a story said to be the Kazakh equivalent of Romeo and Juliet.<\/p>\n

Mausoleum of Arystan Baba<\/h3>\n
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The mausoleum of Arystan Baba is another significant religious landmark located near the city of Turkistan in Kazakhstan. This mausoleum is dedicated to the famous Sufi teacher and mystic. It is believed that Arystan Baba was a disciple of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, the founder of the Sufi order, who was buried in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The mausoleum has a rich history and cultural significance for the inhabitants of Kazakhstan and the wider region. In addition to being a shrine, it is also an important pilgrimage site for Muslims who come to pray and seek spiritual guidance.<\/p>\n

Otyrar<\/h3>\n

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Otyrar was certainly an impressive city in its time of origin. It is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. It was a center of trade, crafts, and arts, and had diplomatic, military, and strategic importance. It is known as Farab or Otrar and is located near the Syr Darya River. This city has a rich history and was an important center in various periods of history. Otyrar was one of the cities on the path of conquest by the Mongol leader Genghis Khan.<\/p>\n

Along a 160-kilometer-distant road to Shymkent, we visited the Akmeshit cave. A natural rarity of the Turkestan region, the cave possesses its own microclimate. Inside the cave, it is always cool and fresh despite the heat outside, and in the very center of the cave, mulberry trees grow.<\/p>\n

The Cave<\/h3>\n

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On the way, we stopped for lunch at an unusual parking lot by the highway. There are fish restaurants there that fry fish from the nearby Syr Darya River. Sliced into pieces and fried in hot oil, they have a good taste similar to sea whitefish. They are mostly eaten with fingers, and of course, tea is served, which goes quite well with fish.<\/p>\n

\"Fish\"<\/p>\n

The Brilliant Shymkent<\/h3>\n

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Next to Almaty and Astana, Shymkent is the third most modern and developed city in Kazakhstan. It has more than a million inhabitants. Its name means “city in the grass.” Upon arriving from historic Turkistan and driving through vast steppes, arriving in this city in the evening looked like entering a brightly lit metropolis, which it indeed is. A rich and modern city, it is the true center of this region. The most famous tourist attraction is the Citadel of Shymkent. It has a rich history dating back several centuries. It was built as a defensive structure to protect the region from invasions and enemy attacks. Today, the citadel represents an important cultural and historical attraction in the city.<\/p>\n

\"Shykment\"<\/p>\n

Inside the citadel, there is a series of old buildings, towers, and walls, that testify to the rich past of the region. Visitors can explore the interior of the citadel, walk along its walls, and enjoy the beautiful view of the surroundings. Additionally, the citadel is home to various cultural events, festivals, and exhibitions held throughout the year. An important part of Shymkent’s cultural and historical heritage, it is a favorite destination for tourists and locals alike who want to explore the rich history and architecture of the region.<\/p>\n

Baikonur<\/h3>\n

In this region lies the Baikonur Cosmodrome, one of the most famous and busiest space launch complexes in the world. Since 1991, when Kazakhstan became an independent state, it has become the property of the new state. The Russian space agency Roscosmos has a long-term lease on the cosmodrome, although Kazakhstan still plays an important role in its use and operations. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into Earth’s orbit from there. Four years later, Vostok 1 with Yuri Gagarin flew, and in 1963, Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space. It is possible to visit it with special permits that are not easy or quick to obtain.<\/p>\n

\"Put<\/p>\n

A part of southern Kazakhstan borders Uzbekistan and is the center of the Silk Road. Rarely anyone, except Marco Polo, traveled the entire route. Traders exchanged goods at various points along the route, so the cities that emerged were important trading centers. Not only goods traveled between Europe and China, but many countries in between. Ideas, religions, different people, and cultures traveled, so the Silk Road was one of the most significant links that connected ancient civilizations and spread knowledge. The most important cities mark this part of the Silk Road: Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand in Uzbekistan, and Shymkent, Turkestan, and Taraz in Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n

Travel Advisor<\/a> – Travel<\/a><\/p>\n

Plants like apples have become domesticated worldwide, originating from Kazakhstan.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n