Day Trips from Turkistan: Sauran and Otrar
What Fits in a Day
The country around Turkistan is flat steppe dotted with medieval ruins and shrines. Four outings suit a single day by car, and a fifth, Shymkent, suits a day by minibus or train. Start early in summer, when July highs reach 35 to 40 C.
Sauran
Sauran lies about 43 to 46 km north-west of the city. The Azret Sultan reserve lists it as the site of Sauran, 13th to 18th centuries, a walled city whose mudbrick walls stand on open steppe. There is no shade at all, so bring water and a hat. A taxi return has been quoted at about 8,000 KZT. Ask for “Krepost Sauran” to avoid confusion with the village of the same name. Sauran is not a World Heritage Site.
Otrar
Otrar is roughly 50 km south in a straight line, and the road takes longer, so allow about an hour each way. The main ruins are by the village of Talapty. The Otyrar State Archaeological Museum-Reserve, founded in 1979, protects a medieval Silk Road city at the meeting of the Arys and Syr Darya rivers. A trade caravan was reported killed here in 1218, which led to the Mongol siege of five months in 1219, and Timur died here in February 1405 while gathering his army. A hotel-arranged return taxi has cost about 15,000 KZT. Minibuses back may stop by mid-afternoon, so arrange the return in advance. Otrar is not a World Heritage Site either, though it is on Kazakhstan’s UNESCO tentative nomination track.
Arystan Bab
The Arystan Bab Mausoleum stands beside Otrar, about 55 to 60 km from Turkistan, and combines naturally with it. It is a Sufi shrine and pilgrimage place, and pilgrims traditionally visit it before the Yasawi Mausoleum. The present building dates from the first decade of the 20th century and has original carved wooden columns. Dress modestly and treat it as an active place of worship.
Ukasha Ata
The mausoleum and well of Ukasha Ata lie at the foot of the Karatau range, about 47 to 55 km north of the city. The distance depends on the route, so confirm it with your driver.
Shymkent
Shymkent is about 160 km south-east. Minibuses and shared cars take around 2 hours from its bus stations, and trains take about 3 to 4 hours. The city offers bazaars, museums and a citadel, which makes it a day of city life after days of shrines.
Too Far for a Day
Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve needs an overnight stay, a permit and a guide. Charyn Canyon is more than 1,000 km away near Almaty, Aydar Kul and the Uzbek Silk Road cities lie across the border, and the Aral Sea is far to the north-west. The Aisha Bibi mausoleum is near Taraz, not Turkistan.
Read more: multi-day trips from Turkistan covers the overnight options.
Site details are on the Azret Sultan reserve and the Otrar article on Wikipedia . Tours that combine these stops can be searched on Viator .