Turkistan

Turkistan, located in a region with the same name, is a city and the administrative center of Turkistan Region of Kazakhstan. It is located in the southern part of Kazakhstan near the Syr Darya River, approximately 160 kilometers north of the border with Uzbekistan.

Turkistan's most important historical and cultural site is the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to his profound influence and to commemorate his legacy, the city transformed into a major center for spiritual development and Islamic learning for the people of the Kazakh steppes. 

In the 1390s, Timur, the Turco-Mongol leader and founder of the Timurid dynasty, built a remarkable domed mausoleum over Yassawi's burial site. Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi stands as one of Kazakhstan's remarkable architectural landmarks. 

The city boasts some more important historic sites, including an ancient bathhouse and four mausoleums. One of these mausoleums honors Rabiya Sultan Begim, who was Timur's great-granddaughter. The other three mausoleums are dedicated to Kazakh khans, showing their significance in the region's history.