Essentials
- City
- Turkestan, Turkistan Region, Kazakhstan
- Population
- Approx. 230,000
- Internet Speed
- 45 Mbps (Fixed), 25 Mbps (4G/LTE)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 450 KZT, 1 EUR ≈ 485 KZT. Major banks: Kaspi.kz, Halyk Bank
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; bottled water like 'A'su' is preferred
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Beeline, Kcell, or Tele2. Approx. 4,000 KZT ($9) for 20GB
- Banking for Expats
- Kaspi.kz is essential for QR payments; requires IIN (Tax ID)
- Accommodation
- Booking.com, Airbnb, and local site Krisha.kz
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high via Kaspi QR; physical cards less common in small shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Karavansaray Hotel (Premium), or apartments on Krisha.kz
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Boutique Turkistan (approx. 5,000 KZT/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Karavansaray complex
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- New Turkestan City Center (Otau district) for modern infrastructure
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Turkistan Hub (IT Park), Bektanov St. (Approx. 3,000 KZT/day)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Global Coffee near Karavansaray (Reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets)
- Networking Events
- Events organized by Turkistan IT Hub for tech and startups
- Social Events for Expats
- Couchsurfing Turkestan meetups or Telegram community 'Relocants Kazakhstan'
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Yandex Go (standard city ride approx. 500-800 KZT)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Jet or Eleven e-scooters available via mobile apps in the central zone
- Best Beach Nearby
- Shardara Reservoir (approx. 3 hours drive south)
- Top Regional Airline
- FlyArystan (Low-cost subsidiary of Air Astana)
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines (Direct flights to Istanbul from HSA Airport)
- Highway Access
- Western Europe-Western China Highway (M32) connects to Shymkent
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Turkestan Railway Station (Vokzal), Tauke Khan Avenue
- Public Transport Passes
- TulparCard (Local bus fare is 70-100 KZT)
- Regional Travel
- Shared taxis to Shymkent (1,500 KZT) or High-speed 'Talgo' train to Almaty
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Turkestan Regional Multi-Profile Hospital (New City District)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Wellness Center within the Rixos Khadisha Turkestan
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Royal Fitness, Tauke Khan Ave (approx. 15,000 KZT/month)
- Laundry Services
- Snow White (Snezinka) laundry services on B. Sattarkhanov Ave
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo or Wolt (Limited coverage, local restaurants use WhatsApp)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Turkestan Plov (Pilaf) and Kuurdak
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited; 'Sandyk' restaurant offers grilled vegetables and salads
- Best Dessert Spots
- Coffee Boom Turkestan for international pastries and cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Central Bazaar (Kuanysh Market) for fresh produce and nuts
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Kaspi Shop (fast delivery of tech and lifestyle goods)
- Grocery Delivery
- Magnum Go (via app)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Limited due to conservative culture; Karavansaray complex has upscale lounges
- Local Brewery
- Shymkentskoe Beer (distributed widely from neighboring Shymkent)
- Wine Bars
- Edem Restaurant & Bar (Selection of Kazakh Arba Wine)
- Street Food Stalls
- Samsa stalls near the Mausoleum (approx. 250 KZT per piece)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Doner & Burger shops on Tauke Khan Ave
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO site)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Farab Library and the Museum of Turkic Peoples
- Historical Sites
- Ancient settlement of Sauran (45km outside the city)
- Religious Sites
- Hilvet Semi-Underground Mosque
- Annual Events
- Nauryz Celebrations (March 21-23) with traditional games
- Cultural Districts
- Cultural-Spiritual Center (The 'Karavansaray' area)
- Theater Venues
- Turkistan Musical Drama Theater
- Local Markets
- Turkestan Green Bazaar
- Music Scene
- Open-air concerts at the Karavansaray Amphitheatre
- Street Art
- Murals on new residential blocks in the 'Otau' district
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes at local guest houses (Traditional Plov making)
- Art Galleries
- Turkestan Art Gallery near the Visitors Center
- Historic Buildings
- Friday Mosque (Juma Mecheti)
- Local Heritage
- Spiritual capital of the Turkic world designation
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Karatau Nature Reserve (approx. 1 hour drive)
- National Parks Nearby
- Sayram-Ugam National Park (accessible via Shymkent)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Linear Park connecting the new administrative center to the mausoleum
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The 'Flying Theatre' tower at Karavansaray
- Birdwatching Locations
- Banks of the Syr Darya river (approx. 30 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping zones in the foothills of Karatau Mountains
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- KazPost (National Post) or CDEK for fast shipping
- Tech Repair Services
- Master Mobile on B. Sattarkhanov Ave
- Table Tennis Spots
- Olympic Reserve School sports complex
- Language Classes
- Kazakh and Russian courses at Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Farab Science Library (Ultra-modern, best study spot)
- Community Centers
- Youth Center (Zhastar Ortalygy)
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Arena Turkistan for PC gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Turkestan (Legal gambling zones are in Kapchagay or Borovoe only)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 450,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 18,000,000 KZT / $40,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 300,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 12,000,000 KZT / $26,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 400,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 24,000,000 KZT / $53,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 280,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 16,800,000 KZT / $37,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 380,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 30,400,000 KZT / $67,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 250,000 KZT per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 20,000,000 KZT / $44,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard), 3% for small business simplified regime
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (can be reduced to 5% or 0% under tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Residency based on 183 days rule; global income taxed
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 10% Flat Rate (Personal Income Tax)
- VAT
- 12%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents with foreign interests
- Property Tax
- Annual tax based on government valuation (usually < 1%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- No VAT on residential secondary sales; notary fees apply
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Astana Hub residents (including remote regional branches) can get 0% Corporate/Income tax