Otrar
Отырар
The ruins of the Silk Road city of Otrar, where the 1219 Otrar incident led to Genghis Khan’s western campaign; also the hometown of the philosopher al-Farabi.
Otrar (known in Chinese sources as Yidala) is an ancient oasis city on the Syr Darya. In 1219, the Khwarazmian governor killed a Mongol trading caravan, which prompted Genghis Khan’s western campaign. The city was besieged for half a year before it fell. In 1405, Timur also died here. The site is a tall mound where excavated remains of city gates, streets, a bathhouse and a mosque can be seen. It lies about 3 km from the Arystan Bab Mausoleum, and the nearby town of Otrar has an archaeological museum. It is best to hire a car and combine a visit with Arystan Bab in a day trip.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Arystan Bab Mausoleum
- Kultobe Settlement
- Keruen Saray
- Juma Mosque, Turkistan
- Khilvet Underground Mosque
- Mausoleum of Esim Khan
- Mausoleum of Rabiga Sultan Begim
- Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi