UNESCO World Heritage List under the serial transnational nomination "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of the Chang'an–Tianshan Corridor"

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27.12.2025

The ancient settlement of Kulan (VI-XIII centuries)

Kulan is a complex of different-sized monuments situated on the territory of the village of Kulan and its environs, in the T. Ryskulov region of Zhambyl Province. Kulan was first mentioned in the 7th century manuscripts of Chinese pilgrim Siuan-Tszian. In the 8th to the 10th centuries it was recorded by Arab writers describing the towns situated along the Great Silk Road. The Arab geographer al-Makdisi wrote that Kulan was a fortified city with a mosque and was situated on the main Taraz road.

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27.12.2025

The ancient settlement of Aktobe (VI-XIII centuries)

Situated in the Shuskii region of Zhambyl Province, 3km south-east of the village of Aktobe on both sides of the River Aksu, the ancient settlement of Balasagun comprises two shakhristans (1 and 2), a citadel and city outskirts. Shakhristan 1 is rectangular in form (380 x 250m) and 6-7m tall. The citadel is situated in the central area, is square in shape with sides of 100m, and 10m tall. Shakhristan 2 is sized 300 x 250m and is 3-6m tall. The city’s outskirts are surrounded by long embankments:

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27.12.2025

Ancient city Kostobe (VI-XII centuries)

Ancient city Kostobe is located to the northeast of Sarykemer village, Baizaksky district, on the right bank of the Talas River, 15 km from Taraz. The city dates back to the VI–XII centuries and it is a monument of archaeology. It has been included in the list of world cultural heritage of UNESCO since 2014. Moreover, it was also included in the list of sacral monuments of Kazakhstan regional significance in the framework of “the Sacred geography of Kazakhstan” project in 2017. Kostobe is iden

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27.12.2025

Architectural - archaeological complex Akyrtas (VIII- XІV centuries)

40km east of Taraz and 6km south of the railway station at Aksholak at the base of the Kyrgyz Alatau Mountains, a huge stone construction was discovered almost two centuries ago – ‘Akyrtas’. The first person to notice the red sandstone blocks was the Russian artist M.S. Znamenskii (1864), who made fascinating drawings of the stone walls which stood 1.5-2m high. From that moment on, academics worldwide have been racking their brains over the ruins of this mysterious construction, raising all kind

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27.12.2025

Ancient city Ornek (VIII-XII centuries)

Ornek city is located in the Sulutor gorge on the Bank of Altinsu river , 7.7 km South of Ornek village of T. Ryskulov district. Archaeological monument dating back to the VIIIXII centuries. Since 2014 it is in the list of UNESCO world cultural heritage, in 2017 within the “Sacred geography of Kazakhstan” project it is included in the list of Sacred monuments of Kazakhstan of regional significance. There is information in medieval written sources about the location and name of the c

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