UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan joined UNESCO in 1992, and its first site was added to the UNESCO list in 2003: the renowned mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The World Heritage List also features unique architectural and natural sites within Kazakhstan. 

Kazakhstan boasts six unique sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List:

• Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (included in 2003),
• Petroglyphs of the Archaeological Landscape of Tanbaly (included in 2004),
• Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan (included in 2008),
• Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor (included in 2014),
• Western Tien-Shan (included in 2016),
• Cold Winter Deserts of Turan (included in 2023).

Located in the historic Kazakh city of Turkestan, formerly known as Yassy, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi was built in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. This grand tomb, commissioned by Amir Timur, was dedicated to the revered Sufi poet and devotee of the Prophet Muhammad. Despite remaining partially incomplete, it stands as a remarkable testament to the cultural heritage of the Kazakh people.

The mausoleum introduced architectural innovations that were later seen in the Uzbek city of Samarkand. The structure includes 35 rooms, numerous vaults and domes, and is decorated with Quranic inscriptions and intricate wall paintings. Made of burnt brick, the building is an architectural wonder. Its dome above the main hall is the largest in Central Asia. The complex also contains an underground mosque, an ancient bathhouse, and the mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begim, Amir Timur’s granddaughter. Recognized as a masterpiece of human creativity, the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum is an outstanding example of Timurid-era architecture and greatly influenced the development of Islamic architecture throughout Central Asia.

The petroglyphs in the Tanbaly Gorge, located in the Almaty region’s Chu-Ili Mountains, were discovered in the mid-20th century. This site contains around 5,000 ancient rock carvings, mostly from the second half of the 2nd millennium BC, and is divided into seven distinct groups.

The carvings depict a range of scenes, including hunting, warriors, animals, women giving birth, wedding couples, deities, and sacrificial rituals. Areas with a high concentration of petroglyphs suggest the existence of ancient altars used for prayers and offerings. In addition to the petroglyphs, the site is home to ancient burials from the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, as well as the remains of ancient dwellings. Some carvings even overlap, with newer drawings placed on top of older ones, illustrating the site’s long history of use.

This UNESCO World Heritage site covers two vast areas in the Naurzum and Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserves, which protect several rare and endangered species. Kazakhstan serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds traveling between Europe, South Asia, Africa, and Siberia.

UNESCO also safeguards over 200,000 hectares of Central Asian steppe, home to a rich array of wildlife. The undisturbed natural processes in these regions allow for thriving ecosystems that include rare species and numerous lakes.

This UNESCO World Heritage site stretches for 5,000 kilometers across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. It begins in the ancient city of Chang’an, once the capital of several Chinese dynasties, and ends in the Kazakh region of Zhetysu (Semirechye). The route was operational from the 2nd century BC until the 16th century, with some sections exceeding 30,000 kilometers in length.

The road linking Kazakhstan and China facilitated not just trade, but also the exchange of religion, science, culture, and art. Along the Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor, one can find ancient structures, Buddhist temples, sections of the Great Wall of China, tombs, caravanserais, mountain passes, lakes, and deserts.

Key Kazakh sites along the route include Talgar, Karamergen, Kayalyk, and the Zhambyl region’s Akyrtas, Aktobe, Kostobe, Stepninskoye, Ornek, and Kulan. The elevation of these routes ranges dramatically, from 154 meters below sea level to 7,400 meters above.

The Western Tien-Shan mountain system, recognized globally, spans across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Three sites in Kazakhstan are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list: the Karatau Reserve, the Aksu-Jabagly Reserve, and the Sairam-Ugam National Park.

The Aksu-Jabagly Reserve, located in the Zhambyl region, is Kazakhstan’s oldest protected area, established in 1926. It is home to diverse species of mammals, birds, fish, and insects, as well as a rich variety of flora. Notably, ten species of mammals, including the snow leopard, Menzbira marmot, and a subspecies of argali, are listed in the Red Book.

The Karatau Reserve, covering over 34,000 hectares in the Turkestan region, is home to the endangered Karatau argali, stone marten, Indian porcupine, black and white storks, dwarf eagles, golden eagles, eagle owls, snake eagles, and various other species. Over 1,600 plant species are found in this reserve.

Sairam-Ugam National Park, located in the Turkestan province, encompasses seven natural zones. The park hosts approximately 60 species of mammals, nearly 300 species of birds, and over 1,600 plant species, 240 of which are listed in the Red Book.

The Turanian Deserts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, span multiple countries, showcasing their international significance. These vast deserts are protected by UNESCO in both Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. On the Kazakh side, the designation includes two key areas: the Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve in Kyzylorda Oblast and the Altyn-Emel State National Nature Park in Almaty Oblast, highlighting the global importance of preserving these unique desert ecosystems.

Discover more about the intangible UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kazakhstan.