French
DeutschKyzylorda (Қызылорда; also Qyzylorda, Kzylorda or Kyzyl-Orda) is a city in the Kazakh Desert, on the Syr Darya river. It is a useful stop on the railway between western and southern Kazakhstan and a gateway for travel toward the Aral Sea and Baikonur.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Kyzylorda is a regional centre with a hot, dry climate. The railway station is close to the centre, and several of the city's sights are within walking distance of it.
The city is predominantly Kazakh-speaking. Russian is also used, but travellers should not assume that English will be understood.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By plane
[edit | edit source]- 1 Korkyt Ata Airport (Қорқыт Ата әуежайы KZO IATA) (about 12 km southeast of the city centre.). Check current flight schedules before travelling. The airport is the main air gateway for Kyzylorda and the surrounding region.
By train
[edit | edit source]Kyzylorda is on the main railway route between western Kazakhstan and the south. Trains connect the city with destinations including Aralsk, Turkistan, Shymkent and Almaty.
- 2 Kyzylorda Railway Station (Қызылорда теміржол вокзалы) (North of the central city area. Taxis and local transport are available outside the station.). The station is close to several hotels and central sights.
Train tickets and departure times should be checked through the current railway booking system or at the station.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Long-distance buses and shared taxis serve destinations in the region. The main bus terminal is south-east of the railway station.
- 3 Kyzylorda Bus Terminal (Автовокзал), 107a Zhenis Street. Long-distance buses and shared taxis. Confirm the departure point when buying a ticket, as some regional services leave from other locations.
A second local marshrutka station is near Bokeykhan Street.
- 4 Avtovokzal Saltanat (Автовокзал Салтанат), 64 Bokeykhan Street. Used for some local and regional marshrutka services.
Get around
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The railway station and central sights are close enough to reach on foot. For longer journeys, use a taxi or local bus.
See
[edit | edit source]Central city
[edit | edit source]- 1 Central City Park (Орталық қалалық мәдениет және демалыс саябағы). The central park, with an amusement park and an open-air stage.
- 2 War Memorial and Eternal Flame (Мәңгілік алау). A war memorial with an eternal flame and a large artillery piece, just north of the central park.
- 3 Kyzylorda Regional Museum (Қызылорда облыстық тарихи-өлкетану музейі), 2A Auezov Street. The regional history museum. Check current opening hours and admission prices locally.
- 4 Aitbai Mosque (Айтбай мешіті). An historic mosque dating from the late 19th century.
Do
[edit | edit source]- Walk through the central park and the streets around the railway station.
- Visit the Syr Darya riverfront.
- Use Kyzylorda as a base for trips toward the Aral Sea, Baikonur and historical sites in the Kyzylorda Region.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Restaurants, cafés and small food shops are concentrated in the central area. The railway station area also has places to buy basic food and drinks.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]Accommodation is available in the city centre and around the railway station.
- 1 Hotel Samruk (Гостиница Самрук), 24 Auelbekov Street, ☏ +7 7242 26-24-40. A small hotel opposite the railway station. It accepts foreign guests. 15,000 tenge per night.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Aralsk — an important stop on the route toward the former Aral Sea port
- Baikonur — the Russian-leased spaceport area; visits require advance arrangements
- Turkistan — an historic city to the south-east
- Shymkent
- Almaty