{"id":45987,"date":"2023-02-26T14:35:32","date_gmt":"2023-02-26T14:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central-asia.guide\/?page_id=45987"},"modified":"2025-09-01T11:14:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T11:14:26","slug":"unesco-sites-in-central-asia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/central-asia.guide\/unesco-sites-in-central-asia\/","title":{"rendered":"Unesco sites in Central Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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UNESCO Sites in Central Asia<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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UNESCO Sites in Central Asia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Central Asia has 14 places of important cultural or natural value that have been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). There are 3 UNESCO sites in Uzbekistan, 1 in Kyrgyzstan, 2 in Tajikistan, 3 in Kazakhstan and 3 in Turkmenistan. In addition, there are also the Western Tien Shan that is located within the Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan states and the “Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor” covering the network of cities along a northern route of Silk road in Kazakhstan and\u00a0Kyrgyzstan<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Central Asia Guide offers tours to all UNESCO sites through Central Asia Tours<\/a>\u00a0or the country specific tours and the are the best way to experience the cultural legacy and natural beauty of this region. Please contact us<\/a> if you wish to organize a tour focusing only on the UNESCO sites of Central Asia.<\/p>

In addition to different sights recognized by UNESCO, there are several unique manuscripts, books and other items in Central Asia that are recognized in the UNESCO World Memory register.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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UNESCO Sites in Uzbekistan<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Unesco sites in Uzbekistan focus on the Silk Road era cities that used to be centers of trade or the main cities of the Timurid Empire<\/a> with great islamic style architecture. Most of our Uzbekistan Tours<\/a> include at least some of the sites mentioned below.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Historic Centre of Bukhara<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Historic Centre of Bukhara<\/a>, situated on one of the branches of the Silk Roads, is more than two thousand years old. It is one of the best\u00a0 examples of well preserved Islamic cities of Central Asia from 10th to 17th centuries, with a very intact old town center area that takes you back to the stories of the Arabian Nights.\u00a0Bukhara was for long an important economic and cultural center in Central Asia. This ancient Persian city served as a major center of Islamic culture for many centuries and became a major cultural center of the Caliphate in the 8th century.<\/span><\/p>

With the exception of a few sights from before the Mongol invasions of Genghis Khan in 1220 and Temur in 1370, the old town boasts with an amazing number of architecture of the Sheibani period of Uzbek rule, from the early 16th century onwards. The sights that survived from the invasions are the Ismail Samanai Tomb and the Poi Kalyan minaret<\/a> together with the Attori mosque and the Chashma Ayub shrine.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The Ulugbek<\/a> madrassa is a survivor from the Temurid era and with the Sheibanids buildings like the rest of the Poi-Kalyan group, the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble, the Kosh Medresseh and the Gaukushon medresseh in the Hodja-Kalon ensemble saw their birth. Later significant buildings include for example Taki Sarafon (Trading Dome of the Moneychangers), Taki-Tilpak-Furushan (Trading Dome of the Headguard Sellers), Tim-Bazzazan and Tiro-Abdullah-Khan. Even later, in the early 17th century several great buildings were added, including a new great mosque, Magoki Kurns (1637), and the imposing Abdullaziz-Khan medresseh (1652).<\/p>

But the real significance of Bukhara is not in its individual buildings but in its overall unified and well survived old town that really take you to the .<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The historic town of Samarkand, located in a large oasis in the valley of the Zerafshan River<\/a>, in North-Eastern Uzbekistan, is considered the crossroads of world cultures with a history of over three and a half millennia. Evidence of settlements in the region goes back to 1500 BC, with Samarkand having its most significant development in the Temurid (Tamerlane)<\/a> period, from the 14th to the 15th centuries, when it was capital of the powerful Temurid empire.<\/p>

The historical part of Samarkand consists of three main sections. In the north-east there is the site of the ancient city of Afrosiab<\/a>, founded in the 7th century BC and destroyed by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, which is preserved as an archaeological reserve. Archaeological excavations have revealed the ancient citadel and fortifications, the palace of the ruler (built in the 7th century displays important wall paintings), and residential and craft quarters. There are also remains of a large ancient mosque built from the 8th to 12th centuries.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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To the south, there are architectural ensembles and the medieval city of the Temurid epoch of the 14th and 15th centuries, which played a seminal role in the development of town planning, architecture, and arts in the region. The old town area has retained substantial areas of historic fabric with typical narrow lanes, articulated into districts with social centres, mosques, madrassahs, and residential housing. The traditional Uzbek houses have one or two floors and the spaces are grouped around central courtyards with gardens; built in mud brick, the houses have painted wooden ceilings and wall decorations.<\/p>

To the west, there is the area that corresponds to the 19th and 20th centuries expansions, built by the Russians, in European style which gives Samarkand a very different feeling compared to Tashkent<\/a> which was heavily rebuilt after the famous earthquake that leveled the city. This area represents traditional continuity and qualities that are reflected in the neighbourhood (Mahalla) structure, the small centres, mosques, and houses. Many houses retain painted and decorated interiors, grouped around courtyards and gardens.<\/p>

The major monuments of Samarkand include the Registan<\/a> mosque and madrasahs, originally built in mud brick and covered with decorated ceramic tiles, the Bibi-Khanum Mosque and Mausoleum, the Shakhi-Zinda<\/a> compound, which contains a series of mosques, madrasahs and mausoleum, and the ensembles of Gur-Emir<\/a> and Rukhabad, as well as the remains of Ulugh-Bek\u2019s Observatory<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Historic Centre of Shahrisabz<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Historic Centre of Shahrisabz<\/a> (Shakhrisyabz), located on the Silk Roads in southern Uzbekistan, is over 2000 years old and was the cultural and political centre of the Kesh region (Former name of Shahrisabz was Kesh) in the 14th and 15th century. It contains a collection of exceptional monuments and ancient quarters which bear witness to the city\u2019s secular development, particularly to the period of its apogee, under the rule of Amir Temur<\/a>\u00a0(Timur or Tamerlane) and the Temurids, in the 15th-16th century.<\/p>

Shakhrisyabz rose to prominence in the 14th century as it was the birthplace of Tamerlane (1336-1405), founder of the Timurid dynasty. Tamerlane had a tomb for himself prepared there, although he would instead be buried in a new mausoleum built in Samarkand.\u00a0The city contains not only outstanding monuments dating from the period of the Temurids, but also mosques, mausoleums, and entire quarters of ancient houses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ak-Sarai Palace construction began in 1380, the year following Temur\u2019s conquest of\u00a0Khorezm<\/a>. Its immense gate is an architectural masterpiece, outstanding in its dimensions and bold design.\u00a0Dorus Saodat is a vast complex which was destined as a place of burial for the ruling family. It contained, in addition to the tombs themselves, a prayer hall, a mosque, and accommodation for the religious community and pilgrims.
Other buildings of the historical center include the covered Chor-su bazaar that was built at the cross-roads of two main streets, in the form of an octagon with a central cupola.\u00a0Despite the inroads of time, the remaining vestiges are still impressive in the harmony and strength of styles, an enriching addition to the architectural heritage of Central Asia and the Islamic world. However, it\u2019s worth noting that in 2016, the Shahrisabz site was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in danger due to the destruction of a large part of its historic centre.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ichan Kala of Khiva<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Itchan Kala, the walled inner town of Khiva<\/a>, is a coherent ensemble of Islamic architecture in the Khorezm region that dates from the 14th to the 19th century.\u00a0It was the last resting place of caravans before crossing the Kara Kum<\/a> desert to Persia (through current Turkmenistan). The old town is completely surrounded by brick city walls, which have four gates at the cardinal points. Among the buildings, the Djuma mosque and the many mausoleums and madrassas compete with the palaces of Khans, as well as traditional domestic architecture.<\/span><\/p>

The town is very heavily, but also quite well restored and operates virtually as an open-air museum even though there are still many locals also living inside the walls. One can best soak up the atmosphere in the early mornings or evenings. Recommended sights are the Kunya Ark and its viewing platform, Tash Hauli’s Harem, the unfinished Kalta Minor and the Djuma Mosque (with the least claustrophobic minaret to climb).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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UNESCO Sites in Kyrgyzstan<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The only UNESCO site fully in Kyrgyzstan is the Sulaiman-Too<\/a> Sacred Mountain which is a sacred mountain originating from pre-Islamic times.\u00a0The cult practices for mountain worship have been continuing here for thousands of years but have been absorbed by Islam. The mountain has a height of ca. 200 m and overshadows the city of Osh<\/a> in Southern Kyrgyzstan in the Fergana Valley<\/a> at the crossroads of important routes on the Central Asian Silk Roads. Its five peaks and slopes contain numerous ancient places of worship and caves with 101 recognized petroglyph sites of which some are unfortunately damaged by graffiti.<\/span><\/p>

On it, Stone and Bronze Age settlements, petroglyphs, ritual sites and Islamic buildings can be found. T<\/span>he walk on the network of traditional pilgrim paths is considered the best feature of Sulaiman Too, and you will meet many locals doing their daily rounds and seek for blessings. The site contains 17 places of worship, which are still in use, and many that are not. The cult sites are believed to provide cures for barrenness, headaches, and back pain and give the blessing of longevity. The Soviet museum, carved into the mountain can be considered disturbing but can also be interesting for the ones interested in Soviet architecture. On the top of the hill there is a small mosque linked to first Mughal emperor called Babur<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Sulaiman Too is believed to represent the most complete example of a sacred mountain anywhere in Central Asia, worshipped over several millennia. Suleiman Too is included in our Kyrgyzstan Tours<\/a> that take you through the Southern part of Kyrgyzstan.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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UNESCO sites in Kazakhstan<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As Kazakhstan is huge, it is only natural that the UNESCO site of Kazakhstan are spread around and not so easy to combine in all the Kazakhstan Tours<\/a> that we provide. In case you wish to visit any of the site below, please contact us.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Saryarka \u2013 Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan” protects largely undisturbed steppe and wetland areas that are essential for migratory waterbirds.\u00a0The site comprises Naurzum State Nature Reserve and Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve, which includes the vast Korgalzhyn-Tengiz lake system where millions of migratory birds feed annually on their way from Africa to Siberia. The steppe is the habitat of the formerly critically endangered Saiga antelope.<\/span><\/p>

The protected areas under Saryarka feature wetlands of outstanding importance for migratory water birds, including globally threatened species, among them the extremely rare Siberian white crane, the Dalmatian pelican, Pallas\u2019s fish eagle, to name but a few. The 200 000 ha Central Asian steppe areas included in the property provide a valuable refuge for over half the species of the region\u2019s steppe flora that bloom in vibrant colors during the sprint time and a number of threatened bird species. The property includes two groups of fresh and salt water lakes situated on a watershed between rivers flowing north to the Arctic and south into the Aral-Irtysh basin.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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In the two protected areas of Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve and Naurzum State Nature Reserve, the lakes and grassy landscapes of Saryarka provide sanctuary for millions of migratory birds. On annual journeys from Europe, Asia, and Africa, the birds stop in the wetlands reserves to nest and feed as they continue towards breeding grounds in Siberia. These protected areas are critical for the conservation of many endangered species. The combination of fresh and saltwater in the watersheds contributes to a unique wetland ecosystem and incredible biodiversity across the steppe.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, in the town of Yasi, now Turkestan, was built at the time of Timur (Tamerlane), from 1389 to 1405. In this partly unfinished building, Persian master builders experimented with architectural and structural solutions later used in the construction of Samarkand, the capital of the Timurid Empire. Today, it is one of the largest and best-preserved constructions of the Timurid period.<\/p>

Built between 1389 and 1405, by order of Timur, the ruler of Central Asia at the time, it replaced a smaller 12th century mausoleum. Construction of the building was halted in 1405, with the death of Timur, and was never completed. The property, burials and remains of the old town offer significant testimony to the history of Central Asia. The mausoleum is closely associated with the diffusion of Islam in this region with the help of Sufi orders, and with the political ideology of Timur.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Turkistan\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Petroglyphs of the Archaeological Landscape of Tanbaly <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Set around the lush Tanbaly<\/a> Gorge, amidst the vast, arid Chu-Ili mountains, is a remarkable concentration of some 5 000 petroglyphs (rock carvings) dating from the second half of the second millennium BC to the beginning of the 20th century. Distributed among 48 complexes with associated settlements and burial grounds, they are testimonies to the husbandry, social organization and rituals of pastoral peoples. Human settlements in the site are often multilayered and show occupation through the ages. A huge number of ancient tombs are also to be found including stone enclosures with boxes and cists (middle and late Bronze Age), and mounds (kurgans) of stone and earth (early Iron Age to the present). The central canyon contains the densest concentration of engravings and what are believed to be altars, suggesting that these places were used for sacrificial offerings. Tanbaly petroglyphs site visit can be included to a tour visiting the Altyn Emel national park with the famous singing dune.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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UNESCO sites in Tajikistan<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Proto-urban Site of Sarazm<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sarazm, which means \u201cwhere the land begins\u201d, is an archaeological site bearing testimony to the development of human settlements in Central Asia, from the 4th millennium BCE to the end of the 3rd millennium BCE near the current Panjakent<\/a>. The ruins demonstrate the early development of proto-urbanization in this region. This centre of settlement, one of the oldest in Central Asia, is situated between a mountainous region suitable for cattle rearing by nomadic pastoralists in the Zerafshan river valley, and a large valley conducive to the development of agriculture and irrigation by the first settled populations in the region. Sarazm also demonstrates the existence of commercial and cultural exchanges and trade relations with peoples over an extensive geographical area, extending from the steppes of Central Asia and Turkmenistan, to the Iranian plateau, the Indus valley and as far as the Indian Ocean. Sarazm is also easily visited while trekking in Fann mountains<\/a> or from Samarkand<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs)<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Tajikistan National Park covers more than 2,5 million hectares in the east of the country, at the centre of the so-called \u201cPamir<\/a> Knot\u201d, a meeting point of the highest mountain ranges on the Eurasian continent. It consists of high plateaus in the east and, to the west, rugged peaks, some of them over 7 000 meters high, and features extreme seasonal variations of temperature. The longest valley glacier outside the Polar region called Fedchenko Glacier<\/a> is located among the 1 085 glaciers inventoried in the site, which also numbers 170 rivers and more than 400 lakes.\u00a0<\/p>

Rich flora species of both the south-western and central Asian floristic regions grow in the Park which shelters nationally rare and threatened birds and mammals (Marco Polo Argali sheep, Snow Leopards and Siberian Ibex and more). Subject to frequent strong earthquakes, the Park is sparsely inhabited, and virtually unaffected by agriculture and permanent human settlements. It offers a unique opportunity for the study of plate tectonics and subduction phenomena.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Tigrovaya Balka nature reserve<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Tigrovaya Balka<\/a> is the first nature reserve in Tajikistan established on November 4, 1938. It is one of the few places in the world where Tugay forests have been preserved. Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve is located in the Vakhsh River valley not far from Amu Darya<\/a>. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were tugay forests here that resembled a real jungle of turanga (poplar) with oleaster, various shrubs, tall grasses, lianas, and meadows.<\/p>\n

Currently, the total area of the reserve is about 50 thousand hectares. It covers extensive tugay ecosystems along the Vakhsh River, sections of the sandy Kashka-Kum desert, the Buritau peak, as well as the lowlands of the southern spurs of the Aruktau range called the Hodja-Kaziyon Mountains. The <\/span>only similar protected area is the Zaravshan Nature Reserve in Uzbekistan but is significantly smaller compared to Tigrovaya Balka. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rare animals in the reserve include the Bactrian deer, goitered gazelle, striped hyena, and leopard (included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Fish species include the small Amu-Darya shovelnose sturgeon, Amu-Darya sturgeon, pike asp, Aral and Bulatmai barbel among others. There are also several rare reptile and mammal species, such as Central Asian steppe tortoise, several species of geckos, toad-headed agamas, Eremias, desert sand boa, little Indian viper, Turan blunt-nosed viper, Et<\/span>ruscan shrew, weasel, marbled polecat, jungle cat, Indian crested porcupine, long-clawed ground squirrel and birds like the white stork, Eurasian stone-curlew, MacQueen\u2019s bustard, black-bellied sandgrouse, Egyptian vulture and Eurasian griffon vulture. There are also several brackish water lakes in Tigrovaya Balka that are extremely important migrating and wintering areas for birds.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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UNESCO sites in Turkmenistan<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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All the UNESCO site of Turkmenistan are included at least in some of our Turkmenistan Tours<\/a>. Nisa and Merv are conveniently located in the proximity of Ashgabat, but to venture to Konye Urgench, requires somewhat more time but can be combined with visiting the Darwaza burning crater<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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State Historical and Cultural Park \u201cAncient Merv\u201d<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The State Historical and Cultural Park called the \u201cAncient Merv\u201d is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near the current city of Mary. It is the oldest and most completely preserved of the oasis cities along the Silk Roads in Central Asia and in the Karakum desert<\/a>.<\/p>

The remains in this vast oasis span 4000 years of human history. A number of monuments are still visible, particularly from the last two millennia. The site includes also older remains of Bronze Age\u00a0(2500-1200 BC)\u00a0<\/span>and Iron age\u00a0<\/span>(1200-300 BC)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>dwellings and the the historic urban center and the post-medieval city called Abdullah Khan Kala.<\/span><\/p>

The historic urban center of Merv<\/a> consists of a series of adjacent walled cities: Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala and the medieval Sultan Kala or Marv al-Shahijan. The Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar (1118-57) is one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the Seljuk period.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Merv was a major Persian city in Central Asia, on the historical Silk Road, near today\u2019s Mary, Turkmenistan. It was the capital city of several polities throughout its history. In the beginning of the 9th century, Merv was the seat of the caliph al-Ma\u2019mun and the capital of the entire Islamic caliphate. It served later as the seat of the Tahirid governors of Khorasan. In the 11th\u201312th centuries, Merv was the capital of the Great Seljuk Empire and remained so until the latter\u2019s ultimate fall.<\/p>

Today, Merv\u2019s glory shines once again thanks to the efforts of the Turkmenistan government, dedicated academics, and UNESCO, which declared Ancient Merv a World Heritage Site in 1993.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Kunya-Urgench<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Kunya-Urgench<\/a> is located in the territory of Dashoguz velayat of Turkmenistan by the left bank of the Amu-Daria<\/a> River. Urgench was the capital of the Khorezm region, which was part of the Achaemenid Empire.\u00a0The old town area contains series of Central Asian Islamic monuments mainly from the 11th to 16th centuries. This area has remained a vast deserted land with some remains of ancient fortified settlements, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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There are constructions from adobe and burned bricks, plain unicameral dome constructions up-going to ancient chartak and buildings with complicated compositions, sometimes with \u0430 long history of development, repair and reconstruction. These monuments also demonstrate the evolution of methods of treatment of inner surface of domes from cellular sails to stalactite those times called \u201cmuqarnas\u201d and brought to the highest perfection by local masters. The best monuments of this city are distinguished by high degree of decorativeness. They provide prominent examples of classical arabesques in monochrome terra-cotta and bright colorfulness of enamel.<\/p>

The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India. The Islamic sacred objects concentrated in this city are exceptionally popular places for pilgrims and serve attractive objects for the international tourism.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Parthian Fortresses of Nisa<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Parthian Fortresses of Nisa<\/a> consist of Old and New Nisa, indicating the site of one of the earliest and most important cities of the Parthian Empire, a major power from the mid 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. They conserve the mostly unexcavated remains of an ancient civilization which skilfully combined their own traditional cultural elements with those of the Hellenistic and Roman west.\u00a0<\/p>

Archaeological excavations in two parts of the site have revealed richly decorated architecture, illustrative of domestic, state and religious functions. Situated at the crossroads of important commercial and strategic axes, this powerful empire formed a barrier to Roman expansion while serving as an important communication and trading centre between east and west, north and south.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Central Asian multi country UNESCO sites<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Western Tien Shan<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This transnational property is located in the Tien-Shan mountain system, one of the largest mountain ranges in the world. Western Tien-Shan ranges in altitude from 700 to 4503 m. It features diverse landscapes, which are home to exceptionally rich biodiversity. It is of global importance as a centre of origin for a number of cultivated fruit crops and is home to a great diversity of forest types and unique plant community\u00a0associations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The Western Tien Shan UNESCO site consists of the following entities:
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