Kazakhstan expands New southern rail routes, boosting tourism across Shymkent and Turkistan

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Tourism is drawing Kazakstan, Shymkent, and Turkistan closer together as Kazakstan develops its railroad system and focuses on its southern regions. This development is important for tourists since the rail network of Kazakhstan already transports tourists between its main cities and seasonal resorts, and now the development of the infrastructure, as well as the development of the tourism trains, makes the connection to the historical southern region of the country even stronger. The problem is that calling all the developments “high speed rail” will be too optimistic.

Kazakhstan’s Rail Story Is Getting Bigger

Kazakhstan has one of the world’s largest railway networks, and trains remain an important way to cover the enormous distances between its cities.

The latest government railway programme focuses on modernising tracks, stations, locomotives and passenger rolling stock. At a June 2026 government meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov ordered continued work on railway infrastructure, including station reconstruction and fleet renewal. The programme specifically includes upgrades to stations in Astana, Almaty and Turkistan.

For tourism, that matters because better railway infrastructure can make cultural destinations easier to incorporate into longer Kazakhstan itineraries.

Shymkent Is Becoming a Southern Gateway

Shymkent is one of Kazakhstan’s major southern cities and an increasingly useful base for exploring the country’s cultural and natural attractions.

The city offers access to historic sites, bazaars, parks and regional cuisine, while its position in southern Kazakhstan makes it useful for journeys towards Turkistan and the wider Turkistan Region.

Current passenger services already connect Shymkent with major cities. Kazakhstan’s national statistics show that 7.5 million passengers travelled by rail between January and May 2026, underlining the continuing importance of trains for domestic mobility.

And the tourism numbers are worth watching. Kazakhstan’s Tourism Industry Committee says tourism generated KZT 5 trillion for the national economy in 2025, while international visitors spent US$2.9 billion in the country.

Turkistan Is the Heritage Star

Now, if Shymkent is the gateway, Turkistan is the cultural headline act.

The city is home to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kazakhstan’s most important historical and religious monuments.

Turkistan has been receiving major tourism and infrastructure investment, with improvements to transport facilities forming part of the wider development programme. The government has previously identified the Turkistan-Shymkent-Tashkent corridor for high-speed railway development.

However, that project should be treated as a planned development rather than an operating high-speed railway. Current official information does not confirm a newly launched high-speed passenger service linking Astana or Almaty directly with Turkistan and Shymkent.

That distinction is important for travellers booking trips now.

The Jibek Joly Train Is Already Selling the Story

While conventional passenger rail continues to connect southern Kazakhstan, a separate tourism-focused railway project is already putting the region on an international itinerary.

The Jibek Joly tourist train travelled through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in March 2026.

Its route included Almaty, Turkistan, Samarkand, Dushanbe and Tashkent, creating a multi-country journey around major Silk Road and cultural destinations. The 2026 journey ran from 20 to 25 March and was organised with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and tourism-sector partners.

A second route covering Almaty, Shymkent, Otrar, Turkistan, Dushanbe, Samarkand, Tashkent and Almaty operated from 20 to 26 March.

For international visitors, that is a very different proposition from simply taking a train between two cities. It packages several major Central Asian destinations into one tourism journey.

Why Rail Matters for Southern Tourism

Kazakhstan’s distances can make itinerary planning tricky.

A traveller flying into Almaty may want mountains and city attractions, but adding Shymkent and Turkistan creates a completely different cultural layer. Turkistan brings Islamic heritage and Silk Road history, while Shymkent provides urban attractions, food and access to southern nature.

Rail can also reduce dependence on domestic flights for travellers building longer journeys.

Summer demand already shows where visitors want to go. Kazakhstan’s railway operator reported strong seasonal demand for services to Almaty, Shymkent and Turkistan, alongside destinations such as Alakol, Balkhash and Burabay.

Key Stats

• 7.5 million: Railway passengers carried in Kazakhstan from January to May 2026.
• US$2.9 billion: International visitor spending in Kazakhstan during 2025.
• KZT 5 trillion: Tourism’s reported contribution to Kazakhstan’s economy in 2025.
• 5 days: Duration of the March 2026 Jibek Joly international tourism journey.
• 8 cities: Covered by the expanded Jibek Joly route through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Travel Information for Tourists

Almaty and Astana are major international gateways. Shymkent and Turkistan can be incorporated into southern Kazakhstan itineraries by rail, while domestic flights remain another option for covering longer distances.

Turkistan is best suited to travellers interested in history, Islamic heritage and Silk Road culture. Shymkent combines city tourism, food experiences and access to southern attractions.

Kazakhstan uses the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT).

Travellers should check current KTZ schedules before booking, particularly when planning connections around seasonal services or special tourism trains.

FAQ

1. Is there currently a high-speed railway from Almaty to Turkistan?
A dedicated high-speed Almaty-Turkistan service has not been confirmed as operational. High-speed rail development has been proposed for southern corridors, while conventional services currently connect the destinations.

2. Why is Turkistan important for tourism?
Turkistan is home to the UNESCO-listed Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and is one of Kazakhstan’s most significant cultural and religious destinations.

3. Can tourists travel from Almaty to Turkistan by train?
Yes. Passenger rail services connect the cities, while tourism-focused services such as Jibek Joly have also included Turkistan on international itineraries.

Timeline and Events

Kazakhstan’s railway modernisation programme is currently focused on infrastructure, stations and rolling stock. Southern tourism is also being supported through dedicated railway-tourism projects and international Silk Road routes.

The Jibek Joly project has demonstrated how rail can connect Kazakhstan’s southern heritage destinations with major cities across Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Important Dates

20–25 March 2026: Jibek Joly operated the Almaty-Turkistan-Samarkand-Dushanbe-Tashkent-Almaty route.

20–26 March 2026: An expanded Jibek Joly journey covered Almaty, Shymkent, Otrar, Turkistan, Dushanbe, Samarkand and Tashkent.

16 June 2026: Kazakhstan’s government reviewed railway modernisation, including station reconstruction and rolling-stock upgrades.

Conclusion

The history of railway tourism in Kazakhstan is not confined to the rail line that connects the cities of Almaty and Astana anymore. The cities of Shymkent and Turkistan have become better known due to the construction of the transport network and an increasing number of specialised tourism trains. Even though there are some plans for the construction of high-speed train lines in the future, it can be noticed that the southern part of Kazakhstan is becoming accessible to tourists visiting the cities and the Silk Route.