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Voykit pocket guide · Kazakhstan
Kentau
Кентау
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.
- Country
- Kazakhstan
- Local name
- Кентау
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold, snow)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- KZT
- Money
- The tenge (KZT) is used everywhere; cards work in Almaty shops, hotels and restaurants; bazaars and rural areas need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₸3,000–5,000 excl. bed · Mid ₸5,000–10,000 excl. bed · High ₸10,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Beeline, Kcell, Activ and Tele2/Altel sell SIMs with a passport at airports and city shops.
- Emergency
- Police 102 · Fire 101 · Ambulance 103 · Single emergency number 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit; bring an adapter for UK or US plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: Check for a service charge (10–15%); otherwise 10%.; Taxis: Round up; nothing on app rides.; Drivers and guides: KZT 3,000–5,000 a day is appreciated.
- Water
- Treated in cities, but most people drink bottled or boiled water; bottled costs KZT 150–400.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in malls, cafés and hotels; squat toilets and pay toilets at bus stations and on rural roads.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Shuttle bus Turkestan ↔ Kentau | ₸500 |
| Meal at Skazka bar-restaurant | ₸1,500–3,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | ₸150–250 |
| Taxi within Kentau | ₸500–1,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HSA · Hazret Sultan International Airport (Turkestan)
- About 40 km (25 mi) south; taxi or shuttle to Turkestan, then bus to Kentau.About 25 mi (40 km) south; taxi or shuttle to Turkestan, then bus to Kentau.
Typical fares
- Shuttle Turkestan → Kentau
- about ₸500, 30 min (check)
- Taxi Kentau centre → Soviet mosaic
- ₸500–800
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Kentau is compact and walkable. A few local buses run, but walking covers the centre in 20–30 minutes.
See and do
Known for
- Soviet mosaic on School 4
- Soviet relief on the Culture Palace
- Abandoned mines and industrial zones
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Turkestan | Shuttle bus, about 30 min | About 40 min |
| Ashisay | 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 | About 1 h |
| Karatau Nature Reserve | Taxi or tour from Turkestan, about 50 km (31 mi)Taxi or tour from Turkestan, about 31 mi (50 km) | About 1.5 h |
| Kyzylata Valley | Taxi or private car, about 30 km (19 mi)Taxi or private car, about 19 mi (30 km) | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Kentau centre
- Rosa Hotel and a few guesthouses; basic, functional. Most visitors sleep in Turkestan.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Сәлеметсіз беsälemetsiz be |
| Thank you | Рахметrakhmet |
| How much? | Қанша тұрады?qansha turady? |
| Where is the bus to Turkestan? | Түркістанға автобус қайда?Türkistangha avtobus qayda? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake among men; greet elders first; avoid: Shaking a woman's hand unless offered
- Home visit: Shoes off; bring sweets or a small gift; avoid: Stepping over the threshold to shake hands
- Hospitality: Accept tea and eat a little of everything; avoid: Refusing food outright
- Language: Try a few Kazakh words; avoid: Assuming everyone is Russian
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Kentau is safe for daytime walking. The main risks are unsecured mine shafts and industrial ruins: stay on paths and do not enter closed structures. Summer heat can exceed 35°C (95°F); carry water.Kentau is safe for daytime walking. The main risks are unsecured mine shafts and industrial ruins: stay on paths and do not enter closed structures. Summer heat can exceed 95°F (35°C); carry water.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kentau yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Soviet mosaic on School 4
- Soviet relief on the Culture Palace
- Abandoned mines and industrial zones
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Kentau official website: e-kent.gov.kz/kz/
- Wikivoyage: Kentau, revision 5139138 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5139138
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kentau). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.