Turksib – Railway History and Places to Stay

If you are looking for hotels in Turksib, the historic railway station is a clear point of reference for understanding the destination. The station is central to the history of the construction and development of the Turkestan–Siberian Railway. Its timeline runs from the laying of the first rails to the opening of through traffic.

The Railway Station and the Beginnings of the Turksib Railway

The railway station in Turksib marks the southern starting point of construction of the Turkestan–Siberian Railway. The first rails were laid there in November 1927. A plaque at the station identifies it as the place where the railway began between 1927 and 1930. It therefore refers to the construction period, not just to a single date.

On 1 May 1930, freight train service on the Turksib Railway was inaugurated. Through traffic also began in 1930, after the rails had been connected. The main line extended for around 1,500 kilometres. Two stages are therefore important for understanding its history: the start of construction in 1927 and the connection of the line for through traffic in 1930.

The station’s name is also part of its history. In 2020, Turksib station regained its historic name after the former Lugovaya station was officially renamed Turksib. Another personal story is that of Zabira Yusupova: in late 1939, she was transferred as a locomotive driver to what is now Turksib station. The place thus connects the history of a major railway project with a specific point in the career of a woman locomotive driver.

Travel Information

A 2023 overview lists trains passing through the station with connections towards Astana, Almaty, Taraz and Bishkek. Check the current timetables and specific connections for your travel dates before planning your trip.

Walking routes in the town may also be useful for getting around: a total of 4,000 metres of footpaths were reported in the settlement in 2023. As infrastructure can change, base your route planning on current local information. The station’s historical significance and the practical conditions of a trip are two different matters.

When checking a specific hotel offer, make sure its location and amenities suit your own travel plans.

A Regional Look at Zhambyl

The wider destination of Zhambyl offers other cultural points of interest. The Köne-Taraz Museum is located in the Ancient Taraz archaeological park in Taraz and offers insight into the historical heritage of the Silk Road. The Tekturmas Ethno-Historical Complex in Taraz includes viewpoints with panoramic views, memorial monuments and landscaped walking paths. It is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00; the walking area is also open daily. Check opening hours before your trip.

The historical heritage of the wider destination of Zhambyl also includes the Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum, an architectural monument dating from the 11th to 12th centuries in the village of Aisha-Bibi, 18 kilometres west of Taraz, and the 11th-century Karakhan Mausoleum in the historic centre of Taraz. These monuments offer a different perspective on the region’s history and architecture than the story of the railway in Turksib.

Discover more destinations: Rakhat, Imeni Lenina, Oytal, Yubileynoye, Intymak

Go to the wider travel overview: Zhambyl.