Silk Road Legacies: 18 UNESCO Gems
Once vital hubs on the ancient Silk Road, the five Central Asian countries\u0000\u0000Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan\u0000\u0000boast 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites: 13 cultural properties celebrating millennia of art, architecture and trade, complemented by 5 natural reserves showcasing mountain ranges, deserts and unique ecosystems.
Transboundary Treasures
In 2014, UNESCO inscribed "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor" as a World Cultural Heritage site. This living monument spans China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, weaving together 2,000 years of cross-continental exchange from Chang'an (modern-day Xi'an) in Shaanxi Province on the Chinese mainland to Tianshan peaks.
Summits Driving Cultural Diplomacy
The inaugural China-Central Asia Summit took place in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province on the Chinese mainland from May 18 to 19, 2023, setting a fresh agenda for tourism, heritage conservation and sustainable development. Mark your calendars: the second summit arrives in Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 16 to 18, 2025.
Which UNESCO site in Central Asia is on your bucket list? Share your pick and join the conversation on cultural discovery!
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Graphics: Central Asia's UNESCO-inscribed cultural, natural treasures
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