Southern Kazakhstan

Region

The old Silk Road towns along the Syr Darya. Turkistan has the great Timurid mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Shymkent is a lively southern city near the ruins of Sauran and Otrar, Taraz is one of the oldest towns, and Baikonur, from where Gagarin flew, is a Russian-run space port in the desert near Kyzylorda.

Southern Kazakhstan Aral SeaOtrarKyrgyz Ala-Too RangeAksu-Zhabagly Nature ReserveKaratau MountainsAisha BibiKamyslybasSighnaqJankentSayram-Ugam National ParkArystan Bab MausoleumSawran (Kazakhstan)Shardara ReservoirBasaralBilikolAkyrtasShymkentKyzylordaTurkistanAralTarazTöretamMausoleum of Khoja Ahmed YasawiNorth Aral SeaKentauArysJanatasShu, JambylKaratauShardaraSayramSaryagashLengerKazalyAyteke Bi

Southern Kazakhstan essentials

Country: Kazakhstan
Driest months: Jul-Sep
Pay in: Tenge (Т)
Language: Kazakh
Emergency: 102

Where to Go in Southern Kazakhstan#

City Shymkent ShymkentSouthern city near ancient Turkistan City Taraz TarazCity in Kazakhstan, known for its historical sites City Kyzylorda KyzylordaCity in Kazakhstan, known for its agricultural output Island Basaral BasaralSettlement in Jambyl Region, Kazakhstan History Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed YasawiTimurid-era mausoleum and UNESCO World Heritage site History Sighnaq SighnaqRuined medieval Silk Road city in central Kazakhstan History Jankent JankentRuined medieval settlement and archaeological site in Kazakhstan History Arystan Bab Mausoleum Arystan Bab MausoleumPilgrimage mausoleum Nature Aral Sea Aral SeaDesiccated former inland sea illustrating environmental disaster Nature North Aral Sea North Aral SeaNorthern portion of the Aral Sea, partly restored reservoir Nature Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range Kyrgyz Ala-Too RangeMountain range forming Tian Shan foothills near Bishkek Nature Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve Aksu-Zhabagly Nature ReserveTian Shan mountain nature reserve

Regions & Cities#

Shymkent Explore Shymkent Shymkent hums with bazaars, chaikhanas and spicy southern cuisine; visitors use it as a gateway to Turkestan’s mausoleums and nearby plains for horseback riding and Silk Road traces. Kyzylorda Explore Kyzylorda Sitting on the Syr Darya, Kyzylorda feels flat and open; travelers find riverfront mosques, Soviet monuments, rice‑fields nearby, and excursions toward the Aral Sea’s changing shoreline. Turkistan Explore Turkistan A Sufi pilgrimage center, Turkistan centers on the Yasawi Mausoleum - massive tiled domes and restored courtyards. Aral Explore Aral Aral (Aralsk region) confronts travelers with one of the planet’s sharpest landscape changes: a former fishing port, rusting ships stranded on the dry seabed, and vast steppe winds that make the ship cemetery oddly compelling. Taraz Explore Taraz Layers of Silk Road history sit in Taraz: ancient mausoleums, caravan-route mounds and lively bazaars. Töretam Explore Töretam Adjacent to the Baikonur launch area, Töretam sits on the Kazakh steppe where visitors time their trips for rocket launches. Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Explore Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi In Turkistan, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is a 14th‑century Timurid funerary complex with glazed‑tile facades and vaulted halls; pilgrims and architecture specialists visit this UNESCO‑listed site. North Aral Sea Explore North Aral Sea The North Aral Sea in Kazakhstan sits behind the Kokaral dam, where partial recovery has revived local fisheries; visitors observe unusual shorelines, salt flats and community fishing efforts.

Southern Kazakhstan at a Glance#

Local Time
11:35 PM
GMT+5
Population
3,943,190

Best Things to Do in Southern Kazakhstan#