The article is devoted to one of the urgent problems - the development of students' research skills in the study of the sacred space of the Turkestan region. Why research skills? Because they contribute to the development of critical thinking, independent search for information and analysis, the ability to solve problems, as well as generate new ideas. As part of our research, the sacred spaces of the Turkestan region are the object of students' study. The authors analyzed and determined that the state program of spiritual modernization, the study of the sacred «sacred» places of Kazakhstan «Rukhani zhangyru» – «Sacred geography of Kazakhstan» is relevant in the country. At the same time, as the authors note, sacred archaeological sites require additional scientific research, and one of the effective means is the use of digital technologies. Online educational platforms help to increase the involvement and efficiency of knowledge acquisition. One of these technologies is virtual reality (VR).

In order to determine the ideas of students of 1-4 courses (N=100) about the sacred places of the Turkestan region at the ascertaining stage of the study, we conducted a questionnaire. The results of the survey show that students are interested in studying the sacred places of Kazakhstan (on the example of the Turkestan region). As the survey shows, these places were mostly visited by indigenous residents of the city and nearby regions. And students of other areas are less familiar with these places. In this connection, we are faced with the task of exploring the possibilities of digital technologies and providing the necessary and accessible information about the sacred places of the Turkestan region. An overview of virtual programs, applications and websites for the development of research skills in the process of studying «Holy» (sacred) spaces is made.