Walking Around Turkistan's Old Town

Short Walks, Not Long Ones

Turkistan rewards a slow walk rather than a long one. The sights cluster in two areas, the Azret Sultan precinct and the neighbouring Karavansaray, and the streets between them hold little else. This page gives a circuit for each. If you want commentary, ask the reserve’s ticket office about a guide.

Circuit One: The Precinct, 2 to 3 Hours

Start at the Yasawi Mausoleum, where you pass turnstiles, an ID check and bag screening, so carry your original passport. The ticket for foreign visitors from outside the CIS is 5,000 KZT. From the mausoleum portal:

  1. The Rabiga Sultan Begim mausoleum is about 60 m to the south-east.
  2. The Eastern Bathhouse museum is about 80 m to the south-west.
  3. The Hilvet underground mosque is about 150 m away.
  4. The Friday Mosque and its museum are close by.
  5. Fragments of the 19th-century citadel wall and its gates stand nearby, with conservation work going on since summer 2026.

Beside the mausoleum is Kultobe, the settlement mound that holds the town’s earliest layers. Allow time for queues and security at the start. The ethno-aul next to the museum, with yurts, workshops and an archery range, is a short walk and makes a good rest stop. The dome is under a canopy and some rooms are closed during restoration, so treat the exterior walk as the main event.

Circuit Two: The Karavansaray in the Evening

Entry to the complex is free. Walk the canals, cross the bridges and browse Traders’ and Craftsmen’s Street, then take a spot on the bank for the Parade of Boats at about 20:00 to 21:00, depending on the season. The complex covers 20.5 hectares, so wear comfortable shoes.

Behaviour on the Precinct Walk

The mausoleum is a pilgrimage site. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and women should carry a headscarf. Do not photograph people praying or walk in front of worshippers. Be ready to remove shoes and follow the staff.

When to Walk

July highs of 35 to 40 C make midday walking hard, so go at 09:00 when the precinct opens and finish before noon. The precinct closes around 18:00, which makes the Karavansaray the evening walk. April, May, September and October are the most comfortable months.

Beyond the Two Precincts

Outside these areas there is little else to walk, so pair the day with a car trip. Gauhar Ana, the mausoleum of Yasawi’s daughter, is about 4 to 6 km from the centre and needs a taxi booked through Yandex Go or inDrive. Sauran and Otrar are outings by car, and Sauran has no shade at all.

Read more: sightseeing in Turkistan describes each monument along the route.

Reserve information is at the Azret Sultan site , and the Eurasia.travel page on the bathhouse gives its history. A guided walk can be searched on GetYourGuide .