8 Best Places to visit in Taraz, Kazakhstan ( With Photos)

In this travel guide, I have discussed the best places to visit in Taraz, Kazakhstan that you should definitely explore.

Taraz is one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan that has hidden the ancient heritage of the Kazakhs. It is a city and the administrative centre of the Jambyl Region in Kazakhstan, located on the Talas (Taraz) River in the south of the country near the border with Kyrgyzstan. There are various places in Taraz that need to be explored by tourists. The people are very sweet and friendly there. They introduce their culture by helping tourists but exceptions are everywhere.

When we talk about the best tourists attractions in Kazakhstan, we definitely include Taraz on our list. Taraz is primarily known for its ancient heritage. You will easily find many museums, mausoleums of famous people, and parks in the Taraz. If you are in Taraz or planning to visit Taraz, you should definitely visit the following destinations.

Best Places to visit in Taraz

Aisha Bibi Mausoleum

Aisha Bibi was the daughter of Khakim-Ata Suleiman Bakyrgani, a well-known scholar and poet of the 11th century, and Aisha-Bibi Bakyrgani was her mother. When Aisha’s father went away, Sheikh Aikhodzha adopted her and raised her as his own daughter (Zangi-Ata). Due to the fact that Karakhan Mukhammed, the governor of Taraz, was not a descendant of the prophet.

Aisha’s stepfather turned down Karakhan as a suitor (sayyid). “Karakhan’s tomb” is the name of the governor’s mausoleum in Taraz, which literally translates as “Karakhan’s tomb.” She was able to outsmart her stepfather by claiming to be the commander of an army participating in a jihad against idolaters, which allowed her to escape punishment (Kara-Khitans).

Akyrtas Palace Complex

Archaeological excavations are currently being carried out in the area surrounding the complex by the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, which is part of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to the National programme “Cultural Heritage,” it is intended to create a museum complex in the near future.

The most recent archaeological findings have led us to believe that Akyrtas was a mediaeval town known as Kasribas on the Great Silk Road. The majority of experts think that Akyrtas was constructed under the orders of the Arab general Kuteiba. In addition to being amazed by the monumentality of the architectural landmark, visitors are also taken aback by the size of the block stones that were utilised in its construction.

Ancient Taraz Archaeological Park

The discovery of 40,000 artefacts dating from the first to twentieth-century during an archaeological dig on four acres prompted the founding of the park in 2011. In order to accommodate the park’s construction, the Green Bazaar had to be relocated. Visitors can view the many foundations that have been uncovered because the area is totally covered with walking platforms at the present.

One of the exhibits on the first floor of the new museum, which was opened by President Barack Obama in 2015, is dedicated to the ‘Golden Man,’ who lived during the 4th century BC. On the 44-acre site, there is a large park with a variety of leisure opportunities to choose from.

Babaji Khatun Mausoleum

Located in the Zhambyl district, close to the Aisha-bibi mausoleum, it is also a rare architectural landmark from the 11th and 12th centuries, dating back to the 11th century. It is well-known for its unique 16-ribbed umbrella-type dome with dual curvature, which was built in the early twentieth century. In fact, the ribbed umbrella-type dome does not have any clear counterparts in contemporary Central Asian architecture.

The name of a woman buried in the mausoleum was revealed by an epigraphic frieze on the entryway of the tomb. According to folklore, she was Aisha’s nursemaid, and she was with her on the fateful journey that ended in tragedy. In the aftermath of Aisha’s death, she continued to light a candle on the grave of her favourite foster child.

Also, check out our travel guide on the best art museums in Kazakhstan.

Kali Yunus Hammam

It was built at the end of the nineteenth century on the site of an old stronghold by a citizen of the city of Aulie-Ata, who also happened to be the person who came up with the idea for Taraz. It was necessary to apply architectural composition principles as well as heating techniques developed from oriental mediaeval baths to construct this project, which drew a great deal of interest from both visitors and tourists during the construction process.

In use until the 1950s, when it was demolished to make room for a new structure, the bathhouse was a landmark in the community. At the moment, this structure is being reconstructed, and it is being utilised as an architectural landmark to guide workers during the construction process.

Don’t forget to check out our travel guide on religious sites in Kazakhstan.

Tekturmas Architectural Complex

One of the city’s most ancient religious structures, it is situated on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the surrounding neighbourhood on the right bank of the Talas River in the city’s south-eastern portion on the right bank of the Talas River. Sultan-Makhmud-Khan is claimed to have been buried in the city of Tekturmas, according to legend. Originally constructed during the seventh and eleventh centuries, the edifice predates the introduction of Islam by many centuries.

The mausoleum, which was constructed during the Islamic period in 1935, was demolished. In its place, a mediaeval mausoleum has been recreated using materials from the period. A mausoleum dedicated to Kazakh national hero Mambet, whose burial site has been transformed into a memorial, is located nearby. From the top of the hill, you can see the city of Taraz in the distance.

Also, check out – Best Fishing spots in Kazakhstan.

Zhengis Park

Zhengis Park, a beautiful park that was constructed to memorialise a historical event, is the setting for this sculpture installation. They organise a celebration on a specified day to mark the anniversary of that significant event. In order to witness the celebrations, you can make plans to visit the location on that precise day.

For those interested in learning more about the park’s history, it is important to pay a visit. Prior to its expansion, this park was small and intimate, but it has now grown to embrace a significant quantity of land. The park is well-shaded by trees and offers a range of activities geared at kids. This is a fantastic setting for a family reunion of any kind. In this beautiful park, you would have a good time relaxing and enjoying yourself.

Further read – Best Lakes in Kazakhstan

Central Mosque Taraz

Dungan is a name that is commonly heard in former Soviet Union countries to refer to a group of Muslim people who are descended from Chinese immigrants. Members of this ethnic group are referred to as Dungans by Turkic-speaking peoples in Xinjiang Province, which is located in northwestern China.

Although they are known as Dungans in Central Asia, members of this ethnic group are referred to as Hui in China and the former Soviet republics where they live since they are descended from Hui who migrated to the region. The Dungans, who are tallied separately from the Chinese in the censuses of the now independent governments of the former Soviet Union, can be found in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, among other places.

FAQs

Conclusion

Have you enjoyed the reading? Now, you have known the best places to visit in Taraz, therefore, according to your planning, start to visit these travel-worthy destinations in Taraz. I believe this trip will surely fill so many experiences in your life.

If you know of any travel-worthy tourists attraction in Taraz, definitely give your suggestion to us via the contact us page.