The Mausoleum of Abdel Aziz Bab

Abdel Aziz Bab is a saint who was revered for his heroism shown in the struggle for the spread of Islam in the Sayram area. His life is described in the “Treatise on Madinat al-Bayda and Ispijab,” which was written at the beginning of the 18th century. The saint lived during the 8th century, and belonged to a grouptabi’un, the generation of Muslims who followed the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad.

The Mausoleum of Abdel Aziz Bab is located in the northern part of the Sayram, a rural locality of the city of Shymkent. It is a three-domed structure; traditional for the medieval architecture of Southern Kazakhstan. The original mausoleum over the grave of Abdel Aziz Bab was assumed to have been built sometime during the 10th-12th centuries. Unfortunately, the original mausoleum was not preserved. At the end of the 1860s, a new building, which we see today, was constructed there. Nowadays, its domes are covered with tin. In the northern part of the mausoleum is the grave of Abdel Aziz Bab and in the southern one lieslays Said Khojakhan, Abdel Aziz Bab’s grandson.

Please observe silence when visiting the mausoleum, leave shoes outside and always wear a headdress.

Useful tips 2021-2022

How to get there

The mausoleum is located in the ancient city of Sayram (formerly known as Ispijab), now a rural locality of the city of Shymkent. During the heyday of the Great Silk Road, Ispijab was the center of science, culture, and religion. Many prophets and saints came from here.

You can get to Sayram by taxi or bus from the center of Shymkent. The distance is 15 km (9 mi); the travel time is about 20 minutes. The mausoleum is situated in the old cemetery, which is located in the northern part of Sayram, along Yusuf Saremi Street. Buses #130 and #30 will take you to the cemetery from the center of Shymkent. Get off at the “Sayram College” bus stop and walk the remaining 400 m (437 yd) further down the street.

Food and accommodation

Turkistan Province is known for its dry and hot climate, so be sure to take enough water along for the road if you’re traveling in summer. You won’t have problems finding a place to eat in Sayram. There are lots of inexpensive cafes of local cuisine.

We recommend staying for the night in the center of Shymkent, where you can find hotels or hostels for every taste and budget.