Discover Qysylorda
Accommodation in Qysylorda
Culture and History in the City
The monument to Jalantos Bakhadur was unveiled in 2010 on Zhibek-Zholy Street in Kyzylorda. At the Kyzylorda Open University Museum, the panorama “Kazakh village in Zhailau” is part of the exhibition. The museum also showcases Kazakh traditions and customs, as well as a photo exhibition on the history of yurts. This brings together a single panoramic view and several perspectives on traditions and the history of yurts.
The Kyzylorda Philharmonic hosts concerts featuring Kazakh and international music at the Palace of Arts. The church building on Toktybayev Street is the main Christian place of worship in Kyzylorda. The concert scene and religious life thus represent two distinct aspects of the city’s culture. The construction dates also provide a sense of chronology: Kyzylorda railway station was built in 1905 and is a historic landmark; the monument to Jalantos Bakhadur was unveiled in 2010. The city can also be viewed through the contrasting features of its parks: Central Park has a Ferris wheel, a skate park and various rides; First President’s Park stretches along the banks of the Syr Darya. The S. Aitbayev Art Gallery is at 2/1 Isa-Toktybayev Street, near Korkyt Ata Park.
Regional Perspectives Across the Wider Travel Destination of Qysylorda
The wider travel destination of Qysylorda offers more to explore. The Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve was established on December 10, 1939, on Barsakelmes Island, which at the time lay almost in the central part of the Aral Sea. Since July 29, 2020, the reserve has also included the 2,300-hectare “Delta” section at the mouth of the Syr Darya, where it flows into the Small Aral Sea. The delta is known for its unique biological diversity. In 2016, the Barsakelmes Biosphere Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The history of the Oghuz is also part of the region: the ancient settlement of Zhankent, also known as Yangikent, was one of the capitals of the Oghuz state from the 9th to the 11th century. It was located in the lower reaches of the Syr Darya and was an important administrative and trading center. Zhankent has official status as a cultural heritage site of national significance. Its historical setting and current monument status offer two different perspectives on the settlement.
The Baikonur Museum Complex is another distinct attraction. It preserves authentic rocket engines, spacesuits, spacecraft onboard equipment and personal belongings of cosmonauts. Tourist tours are offered at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, where visitors can watch crewed and uncrewed spacecraft launches and visit Launch Pad 1, known as “Gagarin’s Start.” Due to its special legal status, access to the Baikonur complex is subject to a permit and access system. Issuing access permits may take some time. Plan ahead and check the operator’s latest guidance in advance, as access rules may change.
For the wider travel overview: Syrdariya District.
