Ulytau: Jochi Khan and Alasha Khan Mausoleums

The Traditional Heart Of The Kazakh Steppe: The Domed Mausoleum Attributed To Jochi, Eldest Son Of Genghis Khan, And The Mausoleum Of Alasha Khan, A Legendary Ancestor, Near The Ulytau Hills Where Kazakh Khans Were Proclaimed. Remote, With Few Facilities. · Zhezkazgan, Ulytau

Ulytau is the old heart of the Kazakh steppe, a low range of granite hills in the middle of the country, far from any city. Two domed brick mausoleums stand on the steppe near the Kengir River: one attributed to Jochi, eldest son of Genghis Khan, and one to Alasha Khan, a legendary ancestor of the steppe peoples. Be honest about the history. The Jochi building is usually dated to the Mongol era, around the 13th century, but its builders and date are debated, and many scholars think it was raised for someone other than Jochi, or later. Alasha Khan is more legend than record. The spelling of Jochi, Zhoshy or Joshy also varies by source. Ulytau hill itself is tied to the proclamation of Kazakh khans and to Domalak Ana. Reaching any of it means a long drive from Zhezkazgan over tracks, with no shops, no shade and strong wind. Come in May, June or September, with a driver and spare fuel and water.

Mausoleums on the Kengir River steppe in the Ulytau region, 50 to 80 km from Zhezkazgan; Ulytau mountain itself lies on a long track to the north-west, Zhezkazgan, Ulytau, Kazakhstan

The mausoleums stand in open steppe and can be visited at any daylight hour, with no gate and no ticket booth that this guide can confirm. There is no fixed opening time, and the tracks are only safe in daylight. The Ulytau museum-reserve and the small museum in Zhezkazgan keep ordinary weekday museum hours, commonly a morning-to-late-afternoon pattern with one closed day, but confirm locally. In winter the tracks can be closed by snow and wind, and visits are not realistic from about November to March. Plan to arrive in the morning, so the return drive is finished before dark.

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