Today, Sairam is often seen simply as a residential area on the outskirts of Shymkent. In fact, it is an ancient city that once played an important role as a major center of trade and the spread of Islam.
Throughout its long history, Sairam was repeatedly conquered and destroyed. As a result, large architectural complexes have not survived to the present day. Modern Sairam is mostly a private residential area, where historical landmarks appear among everyday urban development.
However, traces of the city’s rich past can still be found. Mausoleums dating back to the 17th–19th centuries, a mosque, an ancient settlement mound and a minaret remain as key reminders of Sairam’s historical significance.
This selection highlights the sites that have survived from Sairam’s past and help reveal it not merely as a suburb of Shymkent, but as a place with deep historical roots.
Mausoleum of Abdel Aziz Baba
This architectural monument commemorating Abdel Aziz Baba is located in the village of Sairam, near the city of Shymkent. The existing mausoleum was built in the 19th century on the site of an earlier, partially ruined structure.
Mausoleum of Ibrahim Ata
Located northeast of Sairam, this mausoleum was built over the grave of the spiritual leader Sheikh Ibrahim, the father of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The original structure dating back to the 12th–14th centuries collapsed over time and was later restored.
Mausoleum of Karashash Ana
The Mausoleum of Karashash Ana is a historical and architectural monument of the 19th century. It is located in an old cemetery in the Sairam district and represents a portal-domed mausoleum typical of the late medieval period in southern Kazakhstan.
Mausoleum of Mirali Baba
The Mausoleum of Mirali Baba was built in the late 19th century on the grave of a revered saint and prominent scholar Mirali Baba. The cubic-shaped building stands in an old cemetery and is topped with a metal dome 9 meters high.
Khyzr Tower (Minaret of Khizr Paygambar)
The Khizr Minaret is located about 10 km from the city of Shymkent. It is the only surviving minaret in Sairam and is named after the prophet Khizr, mentioned in the Quran as an unnamed companion of Musa (Moses). The minaret is 10.5 meters high.
Mausoleum of Qazi Bayzawi
Bayzawi was a well-known scholar, writer and Islamic preacher. He also gained recognition as a public judge, which earned him the honorary title “Qazi.”
Sairam Jami
Mosque
Address: Amir Temir Street, 237/24
