# One day in Shymkent: an itinerary in the best order

> One day in Shymkent covers its old centre and main mosques. In the morning — the Kattani mosque with its golden dome and Ordabasy Square with the Zher-Ana monument, then Independence Park on its hill and the citadel, where walls and towers have been rebuilt in the open air. After lunch — the pedestrian Arbat and the white Sheikh Khalifa mosque with four minarets.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/in-1-day

## Plan

1. [Abdulhamid Kattani Mosque](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/kattani-mosque.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
   ↓ 3 min on foot
2. [Ordabasy Square](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/ordabasy-square.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
   ↓ 4 min on foot
3. [Independence Park](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/shymkent-independence-park.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free
   ↓ 7 min on foot
4. [Shymkent Citadel](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/shymkent-citadel.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 1,000 ₸ for foreign visitors
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 20 min by transport
5. [Shymkent Arbat](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/shymkent-arbat.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free, open 24/7
   ↓ 33 min by transport
6. [Shymkent Central Mosque](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/shymkent-central-mosque.md) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free

Total with walks: 6 h 2 min

## What to see in Shymkent in one day

The morning is in the old centre by Ordabasy Square: the mosque, the park and the citadel are 3–7 minutes apart on foot. After lunch take a taxi to the Arbat and to the Central Mosque on the western edge of town.

Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.

## Visiting the mosques

Both mosques are working: visitors are let in between prayers, dressed modestly; women need a headscarf.

## Where to have lunch

Lunch in the plan comes after the citadel, in the centre by Ordabasy Square.

## What else to see in Shymkent

[Sayram](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/sayram) is an ancient suburb with mausoleums. The [arboretum](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/shymkent-arboretum) and the [zoo](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/shymkent-zoo) are good with children, and the [regional museum](https://yesgo.io/kazakhstan/shymkent/shymkent-regional-museum) is closed on Mondays. Turkestan, with its own one-day route, is 2–3 hours away.

## Tips

- The citadel is closed on Mondays.
- Visit the mosques between prayers and dress modestly.
- In summer walk in the morning and evening: the afternoon is hot.
- Kazakhstan uses the tenge (₸). Cards are accepted almost everywhere; bazaars are easier with cash.
- Ordabasy Square to the park is a 3–5 minute walk over a footbridge.

## Questions

### Is one day in Shymkent enough?

For the centre and the mosques, yes. Sayram needs another half day.

### What to do in Shymkent in one day?

The Kattani mosque, Ordabasy Square, Independence Park, the citadel, the Arbat and the Central Mosque.

### Can I see Shymkent on my own?

Yes: the centre on foot, a taxi to the Arbat and the Central Mosque.

### How much is the Shymkent citadel?

1,000 ₸ for foreigners; closed on Mondays.

### How much does this itinerary cost?

Only the citadel charges; the rest is free.

### Can I visit the mosques?

Yes, between prayers and dressed modestly.

### How far is Turkestan from Shymkent?

2–3 hours by train or car.

### Is it good with kids?

Yes: the park and the citadel interest children; the zoo and arboretum are nearby.

### Is it good in summer?

Yes, if you walk in the morning and evening.

### What currency is used?

Kazakhstan uses the tenge (₸). Cards are accepted almost everywhere; bazaars are easier with cash.

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