Western Tien Shan
Our country boasts a wealth of breathtaking sights and key landmarks recognized by UNESCO. One of the most unique among them is the Western Tien Shan mountain range.
This site was inscribed as a natural property on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 17, 2016, during the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee in Istanbul. Several ridges of this range are located within the Turkistan and Zhambyl regions.
The spurs of the Western Tien Shan extend beyond Kazakhstan into the territories of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The site forms part of the majestic Tien Shan system—one of the seven largest mountain ranges in the world, located in Central Asia. Elevations across the area range from 700 meters to 4,503 meters above sea level.
The Kazakhstani sector of the Western Tien Shan encompasses the Karatau Nature Reserve, the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, and the Sayram-Ugam National Park. These areas exhibit exceptionally high biodiversity in flora and fauna, with populations of rare plant and animal species steadily growing each year. Furthermore, the region serves as a crucial origin point where the wild ancestors of cultivated crops (particularly fruit trees) evolved and thrived.
