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Shymkent

Shymkent, Kazakhstan

Shymkent is the gateway to the heartland of Kazakhstan’s spirituality: Turkestan. Although Turkestan’s Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is the main draw for most people, Shymkent offers a surprisingly pleasant stopover for people willing to linger. Lacking major tourist sights itself, incredibly friendly locals define Shymkent.

To see, walk through the main bazaar. Once word gets out that foreigners are afoot, jolly ladies will pull you into their stall to ask you a million and one questions. Beware, these ladies can be cheeky (in a good way).

You can reach Shymkent by plane from Almaty or Astana and by (overnight) bus or train from any city in Kazakhstan.

The bus is the cheapest way of getting around but I’d say that the train is the most comfortable way to travel in Kazakhstan. You can check the train schedules and book train tickets here.

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