The Hodja Ahmed Yasavi Mausoleum in Turkestan, Kazakhstan, is one of the most splendid historical monuments in the Tianshan Mountain region. Hodja Ahmed Yasavi, a famous prophet and poet from the medieval times, preached about goodness and lectured against greed to his many followers. He died around 1166 and was buried in a very small mausoleum. About 233 years after Yasavi's death, under the rule of Emperor Timur, a far grander and religious mausoleum was erected to replace the smaller memorial. The Hodja Ahmed Yasavi Mausoleum attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Samarkand is the second-largest city in Uzbekistan and dates back about 2,500 years. A unique and wondrous monument in this ancient city is the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. This magnificent monument was built between 1399 and 1404 during the reign of Tamerlane in honor of his wife Bibi Khanym. Highlights are the large blue domes, ornate archways and carved marble architecture. The grand, spacious courtyard is lined with marble flagstone and two minarets measuring 50 feet tall.
The Burana Tower is an ancient minaret located near Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. This religious monument, which dates back to the 11th century, is the oldest minaret in central Asia. The Burana Tower originally stood about 148 feet high, but dropped to about 82 feet high after being hit by an earthquake in the 15th century. The cone-like structure is the only existing architecture that remains from the ancient city Balasugin, which was established in the 10th century.
The Id Kah Mosque is located in Kashar City, Xinjiang, in the Tianshan Mountain region of westernmost China. Many renovations have occurred since 1442 when the Id Kah was erected; the mosque is now the largest in China. The complex occupies about 181,000 square feet and contains a large courtyard, the Hall of Prayer and a flower-pattern carved gate tower. Beautiful pale blue pillars shape the roof, which includes elaborate carvings and pictures. The Id Kah Mosque features strong Islamic and religious overtones and is a popular tourist attraction and place of prayer in Xinjiang.
