From Tian Shan peaks to Silk Road history: A journey through Turkistan

Ranked among Kazakhstan’s top five domestic tourist destinations, the Turkistan region blends nature, history and spirituality, revealing the rich heritage of the country’s southern region. Modern Nomads has already explored the city of Turkistan and the magnificent Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, the renowned Turkic Sufi poet and mystic. This time, the journey continues across the Turkistan region in southern Kazakhstan, beginning in Sairam-Ugam National Park at the foot of the Western Tian Shan mountains. A mountain escape in southern Kazakhstan The landscape changes dramatically as the road climbs into the mountains. Cool air replaces the heat of southern Kazakhstan, while alpine meadows, crystal-clear rivers and forested slopes create striking scenery. Local rangers say the water in some of the park’s streams is clean enough to drink. Climbers, hikers and campers come from Kazakhstan and abroad to explore its mountain trails and spend nights surrounded by alpine scenery. For German traveller Fenja Schreiber and American tourist Kaleb Shumway, camping in the park became one of the highlights of their journey through Kazakhstan. "We didn't make it up to the second lake, but we camped by the first lake for two nights. It was amazing," says Shumway. "We saw a group of about 30 goats in the morning," adds Schreiber. The park's rich biodiversity also requires visitors to tread carefully. Rangers ask people to keep noise to a minimum, as Sairam-Ugam is home to some of Kazakhstan's rarest wildlife. "The park is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including snow leopards, Tian Shan brown bears and Siberian ibex," says park ranger Daniyar Otegenov. "Near the lakes, visitors can often spot marals grazing. Many people come here hoping to see these animals, and it's not unusual for wildlife to come quite close to visitors." Interest in the park continues to grow. More than 71,000 people have visited Sairam-Ugam so far this year, according to park officials, with the busiest part of the season still ahead. Tourism infrastructure is expanding alongside visitor numbers, with accommodation ranging from capsule cabins to hotels. A new visitor centre, scheduled to open in 2027, is expected to make the park more accessible to visitors. Walking through a Silk Road metropolis Leaving the mountains behind, our journey continues to Otrar, once one of the most important cities along the Silk Road. Today, little remains beyond wind, sand and the outlines of ancient streets. Yet walking through the 200-hectare archaeological site, visitors can trace the outlines of the city that once stood here. The heart of Otrar was its citadel, the city's heavily fortified centre and home to its wealthiest residents. Reconstructed houses offer a glimpse into everyday life centuries ago, revealing that many features associated with modern living were already in use. "During the winter, the underfloor heating served several purposes," explains tour guide Ismail Omaraliyev. "People baked bread and cooked food here, and in the evenings, they would rest and sleep on the warm floors." Just beyond the homes stood the public bathhouse, where residents relaxed in communal bathing pools. Nearby were the mosque, the central square and the palace of Berdibek Khan. As one of the busiest trading hubs on the Silk Road, Otrar welcomed hundreds of merchants and travellers every day. "At least two caravans arrived every day, each with around a hundred camels. On average, between 400 and 500 people spent the night in the city every day," says Omaraliyev. Although Otrar flourished as a centre of trade for centuries, much of its story still lies beneath the ground. A research project supported by a grant from the International University of Tourism and Hospitality is helping archaeologists uncover new chapters of the city's past. Led by Mukhtar Kozha, a professor and doctor of historical sciences at Akhmet Yassawi University, the team continues to excavate new areas of the settlement, revealing how Otrar evolved over the centuries. One of the latest discoveries is the oldest mosque found in Otrar so far, dating to the late 13th and early 14th centuries. After it fell out of use, the site later became a burial ground before eventually being transformed into a pottery workshop. Layer by layer, each excavation reveals another chapter of the city's history. "What makes this discovery remarkable is that we've found evidence of massive stone blocks being brought into the centre of Otrar," says archaeologist Mukhtar Kozha. "The city is far from the mountains, so transporting them here must have required enormous resources and careful planning. It reflects the high level of urban culture and engineering that existed here." With history stretching back more than 2000 years, Otrar reached the height of its prosperity before being destroyed during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. It was later rebuilt and remained inhabited until the 19th century. Today, visitors can continue the journey through the nearby Otrar Museum, where many of the artefacts uncovered during excavations are preserved. A place of pilgrimage Just 15 minutes from Otrar stands the Mausoleum of Arystan Bab, one of Kazakhstan's most important pilgrimage sites. Believed to have been the teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Arystan Bab remains a symbol of the region's deep spiritual heritage. The structure standing today is the fourth version of the original mausoleum. Inside, two original 14th-century columns have survived centuries of wars, earthquakes and rebuilding, offering a rare connection to the monument's earliest history. As interest in cultural tourism continues to grow, the Turkistan Region is attracting more visitors eager to discover its combination of mountain landscapes, Silk Road history and sacred traditions. In 2025, the Turkistan Region accounted for 10% of domestic trips, placing it among Kazakhstan's top five most visited destinations, according to the country's Bureau of National Statistics.