Taraz, Kazakhstan
Former names: Aulie-Atab, Mirzoyan, Djambul, Janbyl
Elevation: 610 m
Popular languages: Kazakh, Russian
Population: 357 791 (2019), www.stat.gov.kz
Time zone: UTC +5
Phone code: +7 7262
Zip code: 080000
Automobile codes: 08
The town of Taraz (Talas or "City of Merchants") is more than 2,000 years old.
Just outside modern-day Taraz (15-18 km away) are the Babaji-Khatun Mausoleum (10th-11th centuries) and Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum (11th-12th centuries), masterpieces of ancient architecture which are listed as world architectural treasures by UNESCO.
Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum
According to the legend, the Mausoleum was created by one of the Karalhanid Dynasty Kings over the tomb of Aisha-Bibi - his pretty bride, and the daughter of Hakim-Ata, a Sufi poet. As the legend says, an insidious snake took the life of the young lovers. The building is decorated with terracotta stones, plants and geometrical patterns. The mausoleum looks incredibly bright and elegant. Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum is a brilliant masterpiece of ancient architecture.