00:00In this episode of the modern nomads we take you to the southwest of Kazakhstan to the holy city of
00:10Turkistan. It is best known for the mausoleum of Hoca Ahmad Yasawi whose verses and teachings
00:15earned him the reputation of the holy teacher, the man who spread Islam in Central Asia and
00:20beyond. It's a place of pilgrimage included in the UNESCO's list of cultural heritage. The
00:25city is host to over a million believers and tourists every year.
00:29When Islam religion passed on the territory of Central Asia, it could not be spread completely
00:34due to the fact that the local population did not know the language. Ahmed Yasawi, in a
00:40very accessible language, in the form of verses, in Dhuwani Ahmed, in his studies,
00:46gave him to understand what the Qur'an represents.
00:55Timberlaine, better known in this region as Emir Timur, was convinced that Hoca saw his
01:02coming and wanted to visit his mausoleum. Then he ordered the construction of a much bigger
01:07and lavish one and the result is this structure that you see here.
01:12It is also likely that Timberlaine realized the importance of this place that had already
01:17become the center of science, philosophy and religion in his realm.
01:21From the 12th century to the 19th, the end of the 20th century, there were about 100,000
01:28students, which he sent from the south of China to the south of the Balkans, and, of course,
01:37to the south of the Arab countries.
01:39When Timberlaine died in 1405, the construction of the mausoleum was halted. It was never finished,
01:44but still served as a royal court, library, school and place of prayer, gathering and burial of the elders.
01:50It became the role model for the Timurid architectural style that spread throughout Asia.
01:55The mausoleum is a breathtaking place, but this city is not just a place of pilgrimage. It has many other things to offer.
02:03In recent years, much has been invested in the renewal of the city so that it can attract tourists.
02:10Indeed, once the awe inspired by the mausoleum subsides, have fun in the ethno village with its yurts, old crafts and sports.
02:17Go see the recently excavated streets and clay houses of the ancient city.
02:32Indeed, once the awe inspired by the mausoleum subsides, have fun in the ethno village with its yurts, old crafts and sports.
02:39Go see the recently excavated streets and clay houses of the ancient city.
02:44The 16th century hammam or the public baths that were fully functional and used by people until 1970s.
02:51Taking adrenaline-fueled flight over Kazakhstan in the flying theater, enjoy the tranquility of the city's park.
02:58The museum holds many artifacts of the civilizations that moved east-west through the past steppes and deserts of Kazakhstan.
03:05This 7th century monument is an excellent example of what a melting pot of culture this region is,
03:11because on this side of the monolith you can see inscription written in ancient Turkic runes,
03:16but go to the other side and there is some very neat Chinese calligraphy.
03:24Do take a walk down the city streets and witness the efforts to make imposing structures full of history and modern decorations blend well.
03:31Kerouen Sarai Shopping Mall, built recently as a reconstruction of a Silk Road Oasis,
03:40boasts many well-known brands and restaurants and its evening show.
03:44The first Kazakh opera, Kizjibek, is in an unusual naval setting.
03:49It's beautiful. It's the first time I see a movie of this kind in any part.
03:55I had to come to Kazakhstan to see a nice movie,
04:00which, as I understand, tells a story, a Kazakh legend.
04:05It's very interesting, beautiful, and fun.
04:17The city has a new airport, but if you choose to travel old-style,
04:21there will be one final pleasure, the railway station, one of the oldest in Kazakhstan, built in 1903.
04:26I mean, look at this railway station.
04:29And it has clay furnaces for heating, three of them.
04:32This is my first time at a railway station with such beautiful old heating system.
04:40But it may not be the last.
04:42The recently introduced tourist hop-off, hop-on train
04:45that takes you to the most beautiful historical cities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,
04:49Almaty, Turkistan, Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara,
04:53is something definitely worth exploring.
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