Baidibek Bi monument

The monument dedicated to Baidibek Bi was unveiled in Shymkent in the fall of 2012, timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the South Kazakhstan Region. Even before its official opening, the monument garnered widespread acclaim in Kazakhstan as the tallest monument in the country. Erected on one of the highest points in Shymkent’s northern part at 220 meters, the site was enhanced with a specially built four-meter mound and a nine-meter pedestal, bringing the monument’s overall height to 23 meters. The statue alone stands 10 meters tall.

Crafted from hammered copper, the statue weighs nine tons and was completed at a record pace of just 20 days, thanks to the dedicated efforts of 40 skilled welders and metalworkers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The artist behind the work is the renowned sculptor Nasyr Rustemov, with the project spearheaded by Bakhytzhan Ashirbayev, the chief architect of South Kazakhstan Region. During the planning phase, the team studied monumental statues like those in Rio de Janeiro, Volgograd, and the Statue of Liberty, aiming to bring a comparable landmark to Shymkent.

The statue itself depicts the legendary Kazakh bi (tribal leader) standing atop a tall pedestal with his arms extended, one holding a short staff. This gesture, envisioned by the artists, symbolizes Baidibek Bi’s open-hearted generosity. The figure is adorned in a traditional chapan (robe) and a hat with slightly upturned edges, adding cultural depth to the sculpture, which is made entirely of copper.

Baidibek Karashauly (1356-1419) was a revered bi and batyr (hero) of the Kazakh people, celebrated as the ancestor of many Senior Zhuz clans, including Alban, Suan, Dulat, Sary Uysun, Shaprashty, Ysty, and Oshakty. He was a close friend and ally of Tamerlane (Timur the Lame), renowned for his wisdom, fairness, eloquence, and deep humanity.

Visitors can reach the monument by climbing a series of high steps, where they are rewarded with panoramic views of Shymkent and its surrounding attractions. With plans underway to make this monument an emblematic landmark, it could soon become an enduring symbol and signature of the city.

The monument is set to anchor an expansive 42-hectare ethno-historical museum complex, which will spread out directly behind it. According to the designers, this site will host open-air ethnographic exhibits and provide a new home for the region’s vast historical museum collections, many of which are currently in storage due to space constraints.

How to Get There: The monument is located near Baidibek Bi Avenue. Visitors can reach it by car, taxi, or buses No. 17, 52, 66, 75, 126, 150, 171, and 171a to the «Kainar» stop, followed by a 300-meter walk to the monument.