Major city · Kazakhstan
KentauКентау
Half a day is enough: see the Soviet mosaics and reliefs, walk the abandoned mining zone, then head back to Turkestan for the night.
Kentau is a Soviet mining town 30 km northeast of Turkestan, built in the 1950s for uranium and coal. Its draw is the preserved Soviet monumental art—mosaics and metal reliefs on school and palace facades—and the vast abandoned industrial zone. Most travellers visit as a half-day trip from Turkestan, then return for accommodation and dinner.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KZT
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold, snow)
- Airport
- HSA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Kazakhstan ↗Visa-free entry applies to many nationalities, usually up to 30 days; check your own passport on the official government portal before you book, and keep your entry record.
- Kazakhstan ↗Use a ride-hailing app (Yandex Go or inDrive) or the airport rank; do not accept unmarked cars offered in the arrivals hall.
- Kazakhstan ↗Some mountain areas near the Kyrgyz and Chinese borders need a border-zone permit; ask your driver or the park office before you go.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kentau102 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kentau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?The tenge (KZT) is used everywhere; cards work in Almaty shops, hotels and restaurants; bazaars and rural areas need cash.Kazakhstan-wide
- SIM or eSIMBeeline, Kcell, Activ and Tele2/Altel sell SIMs with a passport at airports and city shops.Kazakhstan-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people drink bottled or boiled water; bottled costs KZT 150–400.Kazakhstan-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: Check for a service charge (10–15%); otherwise 10%.Kazakhstan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Kazakhstan-wide
- SafetyKentau is safe for daytime walking.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls, cafés and hotels; squat toilets and pay toilets at bus stations and on rural roads.Kazakhstan-wide
- Emergency numbers102 police · 101 fire · 103 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums often close on Monday; mountain roads and cable cars close in storms.Kazakhstan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHSA Hazret Sultan International Airport (Turkestan) (About 40 km (25 mi) south; taxi or shuttle to Turkestan, then bus to Kentau.).HSA Hazret Sultan International Airport (Turkestan) (About 25 mi (40 km) south; taxi or shuttle to Turkestan, then bus to Kentau.).
- Getting aroundKentau is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within Kentau₸500–1,000
- Metro or bus rideShuttle bus Turkestan ↔ Kentaucheck₸500
- Budget bedGuesthouse or basic hotel room, a night, per roomKZT 5,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or basic hotel room, a night, per roomKZT 8,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse or basic hotel room, a night, per roomKZT 15,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget KZT 3,000 · Mid KZT 7,000 · High KZT 15,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HSA Hazret Sultan International Airport (Turkestan) (About 40 km (25 mi) south; taxi or shuttle to Turkestan, then bus to Kentau.)HSA Hazret Sultan International Airport (Turkestan) (About 25 mi (40 km) south; taxi or shuttle to Turkestan, then bus to Kentau.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Mar (8 rain days), driest Aug (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kentau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Kentau is compact and walkable. A few local buses run, but walking covers the centre in 20–30 minutes.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
Shuttle bus, about 30 min
See the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and the medieval citadel.
Ashisay
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or private car, about 20 km (12 mi) northeast; road condition checkTaxi or private car, about 12 mi (20 km) northeast; road condition check
Semi-abandoned mining town; abandoned mines and Turlan pass. Bring rubber boots.
Karatau Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi or tour from Turkestan, about 50 km (31 mi)Taxi or tour from Turkestan, about 31 mi (50 km)
Petroglyph eco-routes; check access with the reserve office.
Kyzylata Valley
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or private car, about 30 km (19 mi)Taxi or private car, about 19 mi (30 km)
Two medieval fortresses in the valley.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kentau centre
Rosa Hotel and a few guesthouses; basic, functional. Most visitors sleep in Turkestan.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₸3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₸5,000–10,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₸10,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or basic hotel room1 × 1 night × KZT 8,000 | KZT 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × KZT 7,000 | KZT 7,000 |
| Shuttle bus Turkestan ↔ Kentau, one way1 × KZT 500 · check | KZT 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | KZT 1,550 |
| Trip total≈ KZT 17,050 per person per day, bed included | KZT 17,050 |
2026 estimate in tenge; flights and long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Shuttle bus Turkestan ↔ Kentaucheck | ₸500 |
| Meal at Skazka bar-restaurant | ₸1,500–3,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | ₸150–250 |
| Taxi within Kentau | ₸500–1,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Abandoned mines and industrial zones are not secured: do not enter shafts or unstable buildings.
- Rubber boots recommended if you explore the Kantagi River valley or Ashisay area.
- No ATM in Kentau: bring cash (tenge) from Turkestan or Shymkent.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 102
- Fire
- 101
- Ambulance
- 103
- Single emergency number
- 112
Pocket card
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KentauКентау
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Мына мекенжайға, өтінемінTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police102
- Fire101
- Ambulance103
- Single emergency number112
Embassy
Nearest consulates are in Almaty; most embassies are in Astana.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shuttle Turkestan → Kentau: about ₸500, 30 min (check)
- Taxi Kentau centre → Soviet mosaic: ₸500–800
Say or show
- Сәлеметсіз бе — Hello (sälemetsiz be)
- Рахмет — Thank you (rakhmet)
- Қанша тұрады? — How much? (qansha turady?)
- Түркістанға автобус қайда? — Where is the bus to Turkestan? (Türkistangha avtobus qayda?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kentau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Soviet mosaic and relief with verified coordinates and opening hours.
- Eat page for Skazka bar-restaurant with menu and price range.
- Sleep page for Rosa Hotel with booking link.
- Day-trip page for Ashisay with safety warnings.
Sources
Ask about Kentau
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