Kyzylorda: Nature, Cultural Heritage and Space Exploration

• The Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve was established on December 10, 1939, on Barsakelmes Island, which at the time lay almost in the central part of the Aral Sea.
• The “Delta” section of the reserve covers 2,300 hectares and lies at the mouth of the Syr Darya, where it flows into the Small Aral Sea.
• Historical attractions include the Oghuz city of Zhankent, Silk Road sites and the Korkyt Ata Memorial Complex.

Guided tours are offered at the cosmodrome. Visitors can watch crewed and uncrewed spacecraft launches and see Launch Pad 1, known as “Gagarin’s Start.” The Baikonur Museum Complex preserves authentic rocket engines, spacesuits, spacecraft onboard equipment and cosmonauts’ personal belongings. The information provided therefore covers both a guided tour at the cosmodrome and specific exhibits from the history of space exploration.

The Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve was established on Barsakelmes Island on December 10, 1939. At the time, the island lay almost in the central part of the Aral Sea.

Since July 29, 2020, the “Delta” section has been part of the reserve. It covers 2,300 hectares and is located at the mouth of the Syr Darya, where it flows into the Small Aral Sea. The delta is known for its unique biodiversity. The Barsakelmes Biosphere Reserve was added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016. Both the specific size and location of the Delta section and its biosphere reserve status are relevant to understanding the area.

Zhankent, also known as Yangikent, was located in the lower reaches of the Syr Darya. From the 9th to the 11th century, the ancient city was one of the capitals of the Oghuz state and an important administrative and trading center. Today, it has official status as a cultural heritage site of national significance.

The Silk Road is also connected with several of the sites described here. Chirik-Rabat was an ancient trading center on the Silk Road, where crafts and agriculture developed. Its fortifications had a moat 40 meters wide and 4.5 meters deep. In 2012, the monuments of the Zhetyasar oasis were added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List as part of the serial transnational nomination “Silk Road.”

The Sauysqandyq petroglyph complex contains several thousand petroglyphs on both banks of the Sauysqandyq River. They are spread along a seven-kilometer stretch of the river. Balandy-2 is considered one of the oldest domed temple complexes in Kazakhstan. The Korkyt Ata Memorial Complex is one of Kazakhstan’s sacred sites and an important cultural tourism destination. These places appeal to a range of cultural and historical interests, from rock art and temple architecture to trade history and commemorative culture.

Other specific cultural landmarks include the Kamystybas railway station building, a historical and cultural monument of local significance and part of the railway complex, as well as the ancient trading settlement of Syganak. Syganak was described as an important trading center and caravan route hub, and was known as the “Port of the Kipchak Steppe.”

The Kambash recreation area on Lake Kambash offers motorboats, inflatable boats, catamarans and jet skis.

Linked districts include Zhalagash District and Syrdariya District. More destinations: Karaganda, Pavlodar, Zhangeldi District, Mangystau, Kostanay and South Kazakhstan.

What should I know before visiting the Baikonur complex?

Due to its special legal status, a permit and access system applies. Obtaining entry permits can take some time, so planning well in advance is recommended.

Which natural site in Kyzylorda is described in particular detail?

Since July 29, 2020, the Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve has also included the 2,300-hectare “Delta” section at the mouth of the Syr Darya, where it flows into the Small Aral Sea. The biosphere reserve was added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.

Which historic sites are suitable for visitors interested in culture?

The sites described include Zhankent (Yangikent), Chirik-Rabat, the monuments of the Zhetyasar oasis, the Sauysqandyq petroglyph complex, Balandy-2 and the Korkyt Ata Memorial Complex.

Is Zhetyasar a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

In 2012, the monuments of the Zhetyasar oasis were added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List as part of the serial transnational nomination “Silk Road.”

For the broader travel overview: Kazakhstan.