A Central Asian country not known for its tourism, Kyrgyzstan boasts three Unesco World Heritage Sites. Each differs greatly in terms of its cultural significance, all providing different experiences for a traveler. 

Kyrgyzstan is known for its beautiful scenery; for example, there are two stunning canyons in Kyrgyzstan: the Fairy Tale Canyon and the Konorchek Canyons. The Kyrgyz people lived a nomadic lifestyle well into the 20th century, and aspects of this rich culture are still recognizable in architecture today. For example, a traveler to Kyrgyzstan can see a Bozui house—a type of architecture distinct to the Kyrgyz—and learn how it is built. In terms of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the three sites are deeply historically and culturally significant, as well as breathtaking.

1. The Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor of the Silk Road

The Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor is a section of the Silk Road, the most used collection of trade routes during ancient times, which primarily connected China with countries in Europe, the Middle East and East Africa. The Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June of 2014, due to the historical significance of the Silk Road, which had been used until as late as the 16th century. The Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor in Kyrgyzstan is an especially interesting and important sector of the Silk Road due to its beauty, rocky terrain and historical significance. The Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor was used from the 4th through 16th century to transport mostly luxury goods, with its use beginning to facilitate trade between the Chinese and Roman empires. It was also very difficult to navigate due to its massive peaks and valleys—the climate of which ranges from snowy to arid to humid. In addition to natural sites, the corridor contains many cultural and historical destinations. Parts of the Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor run along the Great Wall of China. Additionally, there are several Buddhist temples, ancient palaces and tombs along the corridor. 

2. The Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain

Also located on the Silk Road, the Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain (located next to the city of Osh) was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. The Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain has been regarded for hundreds of years as a sacred destination, primarily in Islam, but also in religions and belief-systems that contain only some aspects of the Islamic faith. The mountain contains two reconstructed mosques from the 16th century, caves with ancient petroglyphs and many other sites for worship—17 of which are still in use today. One of the main non-Islamic groups which has historically worshiped at the Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain is the cult of the horse, which is reflected in much of the cave art. 

3. The Tien-Shan Mountains

“Tien-Shan” in Chinese means “celestial.” The mountains may have gotten their name from their extremely high peaks; the highest points of the Tien-Shan mountains are also the highest points in all of Kyrgyzstan. The peaks in Kyrgyzstan were officially declared a World Heritage Site in 2016, although the parts of the mountains in China had been named a World Heritage Site in 2013. The Tien-Shan Mountains are mostly known for their diverse wildlife and for being home to several ethnic groups such as the Uyghur people and various Buddhist sects. While the oppression of the Uyghur people is not nearly as severe in Kyrgyzstan as it is in China, in recent years, there have been reports of violence from the Kyrgyz majority towards the Uyghur, as well as governmental interference in Uyghur political organizing. Despite Kyrgyzstan’s treatment of the Uyghur people, the Tien-Shan Mountains remain the home of many Uyghur people in the country. The mountains are covered in glaciers, many of which are threatened by climate change. This could change the entire geological landscape of the Tien-Shan mountains. Wildlife found on Tien-Shan include snow leopards and the Himalayan snowcock. Out of the three World Heritage Sites in Kyrgyzstan, the Tien-Shan Mountains is the most focused on the nature of Kyrgyzstan as opposed to the history featured in the other two sites.

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Calliana is currently an undergraduate student at Boston University majoring in English and minoring in psychology. She is passionate about sustainability and traveling in an ethical and respectful way. She hopes to continue her writing career and see more of the world after she graduates.