Sauran
Сауран
A medieval ancient city on the steppe, its huge oval rammed-earth walls remarkably well preserved; it was once one of the capitals of the White Horde.
Sauran was an important city on the middle Syr Darya from the 10th to the 18th centuries. In the 14th and 15th centuries it served for a time as a capital of the White Horde, and 15th-century records describe its walls as strong. On the open wasteland, the site preserves about 2.5 km of rammed-earth walls, city gates, and the remains of a mosque and a religious school. Outside the city is a distinctive underground irrigation system, the karez. Sauran lies about 45 km northwest of Turkistan with no public transport, so visitors need to hire a car or join a day tour. It is usually visited on one of two routes, alongside Otrar and Arystan Bab. Bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Ukasha Ata
- Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
- Juma Mosque, Turkistan
- Khilvet Underground Mosque
- Mausoleum of Rabiga Sultan Begim
- Mausoleum of Esim Khan
- Kultobe Settlement
- Keruen Saray