The cultural and historical hub of Kazakhstan, Turkistan serves as a major destination for both domestic and foreign travelers.
At a non-official session of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States this year, South Kazakhstan's historic city was declared the spiritual center of the Turkic world. It was added to the list of Eurasia's World Heritage Cities in February.
The first settlements on Turkistan's land are thought to have existed as early as the sixth century AD. However, Akim (Mayor) of Turkistan Rashid Ayupov made an alarming declaration on April 5 at the online 10th International Conference of Eurasia World Heritage Cities.
According to the authorities, archaeological research
There were formerly two ancient cities, Shavgar and Yasy, in the southern part of Kazakhstan, in a valley between the Syr Darya River and the Karatau mountains. At various points in time, these cities served as the political and economic hubs of Turkistan. Shavgar was the region's largest city first, followed by Yasy (as Turkistan was called until the 16th century).
Yasy developed as a hub of art, science, and international trade over time because the Famous Silk Road travelled through these regions and the great poet, thinker, and Sufi Khoja Ahmed Yasawi conducted his preaching activities there. Yasy was called "the second Mecca" after becoming well-known throughout the Muslim world.
Nomadic state
Turkistan was first referenced in numerous written records dating back to the 16th century. Until the 19th century, it was referred to as the capital and principal city of the nomadic Kazakh Khanate.
Khoja Ahmed Yasawi was buried in a mausoleum, but there are also the graves of 30 saints, 5 holy mothers, eight sultans, 23 judges, 63 heroes, and 21 additional Kazakh khans from the Timurid, Shaybani, and Kazakh Khanate dynasties, according to Akim (Governor) of the Turkistan province Umirzak Shukeyev.
Significant Period of History
The admission of these areas into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), when industry started to flourish in the city, marks the next key phase in history. First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a decree establishing the Turkistan region in 2018. As a growing financial and tourism destination, Turkistan.
New Facilities Are Planned
Along with the recently established University of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports, this location also contains the largest university in the Central Asian region with the name Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.
Turkistan will serve as the nation's primary spiritual hub, according to the administration. There are numerous sacred sites in a city with a long history, and thousands of tourists visit each year to undertake the mini-hajj (Islamic pilgrimage).
The city has already seen the planting of more than 30 million trees, including fruit trees, as well as the opening of new parks and squares with fountains.
For both Kazakh pilgrims and tourists from around the world, Turkistan is the most important spiritual destination. In the Turkistan region, there are more than 800 architectural, historical, and archaeological sites. By 2030, it is anticipated that there will be one million more visitors.
The region is promising, especially from the perspective of the economy and cultural heritage, according to Valentina Komleva, the director of the Department of Foreign Regional Studies and International Cooperation at the Russian Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPACS RANEPA).
Cultural heritage
This vibrant cultural heritage can boost economic success. A tourism hub and cultural center will not only enable the administration to earn funds for the preservation of historic sites but will also help to develop the neighboring lands, which are home to several ancient and late medieval historical monuments. According to Komleva, this will increase the socioeconomic standard of living in the area and create both direct and indirect employment for the public.