Trapping Tourists In Turkistan

What do you do if you've got one amazing Silk Road era site and not much else? To keep the crowds beyond an hour? Build a modern tourist extravaganza! The folks in Turkistan just completed a meandering canal complex, lined with shops, hotels, performance halls, attractions, a museum, whatever keeps 'em coming and staying.

The centerpiece of the place is a giant, man-made lake, complete with a ruined sort of pirate ship fountain. Splashy.

Big halls with distinct architectural features. Drama, performance, convention. For rent.

Looking down the main pedestrian plaza, path. Busy planting welcoming flowers in the new garden bed.

New, old icons. Some sort of immersive theater in the shape of a giant, golden egg in a nest and a sculpture of the big bird of Kazakhstan, a falcon. Egg, nest detail. The big lay.

The canal runs a few blocks, several bridge crossings, better to get you to the Nike store or coffee cafe.

Turkistan At Night

Let's light it up!

Desert bling. Looking at the new outdoor mall shopping area, golden nest egg theater on the right.

A sign of celebration in front of the timeless Silk Road site, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Nayryz is a huge Kazakh New Year celebration, starting March 21. Modern mosque, the Masjid Khoja Ahmad Yassavi.

Glitzy fountains, funky mushroom lighting and a new museum in the new development area.

Preening park attractions, a welcoming gate and a memorial to past Khans.

It all comes back to the heavy of Turkistan, the iconic attraction, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Glowing.

The Mighty Mausoleum Of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

Central Asian ruler Timur loved Turkic poet Khoja Ahmed Yasawi enough to commission the re-building of his mausoleum. Work started in 1389 and continued until Timur's death in 1405. No ruler, no finish. No matter, what was left is still the most impressive Silk Road era site in Kazakhstan and a highlight along the whole of Central Asia's Silk Road. Sleep well, Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.

All hail the magnificent structure! The front facade hints at the building's unfinished state, wood logs still sticking out of the top arch section and no intricate tile work.

Ah, that great tile work. It's present on other sections. Crazy columns in the corners, a maze of designs along the side walls. Heading inside, airy. Underneath the central dome.

To see the full fruition of the classic design of the mausoleum, head around to the back of the structure. Fluted dome, full tile work on display in late afternoon light. Golden.

Big mausoleum, room for the whole family, groupies. Interior tile work detail, an original piece highlighted with a frame.

Sun up on another day, always looking impressive.