SHYMKENT

Shymkala Citadel and Historical and Cultural Complex. The citadel is a fortress at the origins of Shymkent. Visitors to this site today will find the remains of the original hill with a cannon above it. Excavations and other archaeological work are ongoing within the citadel. It houses a museum and several halls with reconstructions of Kazakh people’s homes.

The Museum of Victims of Political Repression is an atmospheric museum displaying hundreds of exhibits, installations, documents, and photographs that tell the story of the horrors of the Red Terror and Stalinist repressions. This museum was one of the first in Kazakhstan dedicated to the topic of political persecution.

The South Kazakhstan Regional Museum of History and Local Lore is one of the largest in the country and is of significant historical and cultural significance. Four thematic halls in the museum tell the story of not only the city but the entire region. The museum’s collection contains over 88,000 rare artifacts, cultural and archaeological finds, as well as an extensive library, numismatics, and ethnographic collections.

The arboretum and botanical garden covers over 120 hectares and is a specially protected area. It houses a collection of 600 unique plants from around the world. A lake is located in the center of the arboretum.

The Seitzhan Qari Eszhanuly Grand Mosque is a contender for two Guinness World Records: the largest dome in Central Asia and the tallest mihrab (a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca). Serikzhan Seitzhan and the architects were clearly inspired by the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The Shymkent mosque is indeed very similar to its Emirati “sister,” although smaller.

The Boraldai petroglyphs are a unique monument of rock art from the Bronze Age. Huge stones along the bend of the Boraldai River depict various scenes of hunting, everyday life, and nomadic tribal symbols.

The Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum is located near Shymkent and is the burial place of Sheikh Ibrahim, the father of the famous Sufi poet Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.

The Aksu-Zhabagly State Nature Reserve is the first and oldest nature reserve in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Kazakhstan.

The Kendebay Karabdalov Kyluet Ethnographic Museum – The museum exhibits many clay items, including dishes and other household items, and a collection of musical instruments from around the world. You will be offered a program where you can try your hand at creating a clay object or carving a musical instrument.

We also recommend visiting the Ken-Baba Ethnographic Park, Shymkent Zoo, Zhaylaukol Amusement Park, Independence Park, Shymkent Arbat, Sairam-Ugam National Park, and the Sairam settlement.