Silk Roads: Fergana-Syr Darya Corridor

No.	Name of the Site	Address	Site category	Coordinates
1	Kulbeskhan settlement	Chatkal district of Jalal-Abad region	Monument of republican significance under No. 505	N41°53'7.60" E71°17'31.49"
2	Historical and cultural complex Safid-Bulan (Shakh-Fazil)	The village of Safid-Bulan, Ala-Buka district, Jalal-Abad region	Monument of republican significance under No. 447 and No. 454	N41°25'42.82" E71°39'32.77"
3	Uzgen archaeological and architectural complex			N40°46'06.71" E73°17'53.66"
3.1	Three Shakhristans and a citadel	Uzgen city, Osh region	Monument of republican significance
3.2	Three mausoleums with a minare	Uzgen city, Osh region	Monument of republican significance under No. 407
3.3	Ancient canal Uzgen-Aryk	Kara-Kulzha and Uzgen districts and the city of Uzgen, Osh region	Monument of republican significance under No. 408
4	Settlement Shoro - Bashat	Village Shoro-Bashat Uzgen district, Osh region	Monument of republican significance under No. 398	N40°50'04.24" E73°14'41.63"
5	Rock carvings of Surottuu-Tash (Ayrymach-Too) – the main sanctuary dedicated to the “Davan” horses	Village Kyzyl-Kyshtak Kara-Suu district Osh region (at a distance of 9 km northwest of the city of Osh), included in the buffer zone of the Sulaiman- Too complex	Monument of republican significance under No. 381	N40°34'55.21" E72°44'18.42"
6	Burial ground Kara-Bulak	Kara-Bulak village, Batken district Batken region	Monument of republican significance under No. 410 and No. 411	39°56'0.45"N 70°55'11.21"B

The Great Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan is represented by various significant sections, which are well expressed and marked by original historical and cultural monuments that have their differences. The natural environment and human adaptation to existence in certain climatic conditions have formed the specificity of a particular segment. Kyrgyzstan is one of the countries included in the early contact zone, both in the north and south of its territory.

For the ancient era, the Northern (Fergana) road was of particular importance, along which active contacts were carried out in early Han times, especially with Davan, a significant part of the territory of which was located within the modern administrative borders of the southern part of the country, occupying the foothills of the eastern, southeastern, southwestern and northwestern Fergana. The route went in the following direction: from Kashgar through the Terek-Davan pass, along the Alai valley, through the tributaries of the Gulcha and the Gulcha itself, to Tara, then to the Kara-Darya, and to Uzgen, where the easternmost city of Davani-Yu-chen is usually located, then turned to the Osh oasis, and then went west (to the capital city of Ershi) and north (Kangyuy). Most researchers believe that Zhang Jiang took this road in 128 BC. This section of the road is well marked with monuments, especially for Muslim times, when it is described in road guides as the main route with two branches: a) through Osh - Medva (Mada) to the south to Alai and further through Terek-Davan to Kashgar; b) from Osh to Uzgen, further through mountain passes, into the valleys of the internal Tien Shan and in the At-Bashi region, it was divided into two branches, the first of which, through the Tash-Rabat and Torugart passes, went to the Kashgar region, and the second to the southern the coast of Issyk-Kul, through the Bedel pass to Aksuu. Local sections of this route served other regions of Fergana, in particular, the northeast of the valley, from where, through the Chanach pass in the Chatkal ridge and the Kara-Buura pass in the Talas Ala-Too, it connected with routes along Talas and Chuy valleys. Moreover, it is believed that through this route in ancient times, there were intensive contacts with Semirechye (Dzhetysuu), in particular with the Issyk-Kul region and the Chu-Talas valley. All experts agree that in the 2nd–4th AD, the road through the Bedel Pass and the southern Issyk-Kul region was already in regular operation. 

This route became especially active in the early Middle Ages, when, due to the civil strife reigning in Fergana, caravans began to prefer this route to the Fergana one. In addition, a significant factor in its favor was the location in Semirechye (Zhetysuu) of the headquarters of the Turkic Khagans, who were the main consumers of various prestigious goods and at the same time patronized trade in the Central Asian section of the GSR. It is with this era that a number of medieval settlements in the Chui and Talas valleys and the Issyk-Kul region are associated, for the genesis and functioning of which the factor of GSR played an important role.

In Muslim times, the entire territory of Kyrgyzstan was practically penetrated by various sections of individual branches of the GSR.  In the north of the country, the Semirechye-South Kazakhstan segment is still actively operating, the Inner Tien Shan has entered the orbit of the GSR, and the Fergana branch is functioning no less intensively. Thus, the priority for Kyrgyzstan is precisely these segments of the GSR, which also represent three chronological positions - antiquity, early and developed Middle Ages. In the context of political, military and economic events of the 13th century the functioning of the above-described segments of the GSP is significantly reduced; a certain revival occurs in connection with the political and military activities of Timur and his descendants. However, the use of routes on various sections of the GSR continued until modern times inclusive.

This corridor of the Silk Roads includes six further component cultural sites:

1. Medieval settlement of Kulbeskhan; N41°53'7.60" E71°17'31.49"
2. Historical and cultural complex Safid-Bulan (Shah-Fazil); N41°25'42.82" E71°39'32.77"
3. Uzgen archaeological and architectural complex; N 40°46'06,71" E 73°17'53,66"
4. Ancient settlement Shoro-Bashat; N40°50'04,24" E73°14'41,63"
5. Petroglyphs of Airymach-Too (Surotuu-Tash); N40°34'55.21" E72°44'18.42"
6. Kara-Bulak burial ground; N39°56'0.45" E70°55'11.21"

Silk Roads – was the outstanding way of facilitating the integration, exchange and dialogue between such region as China on the east, the Mediterranean on the west, and Indian on the south-west and contributing to the common prosperity of human civilizations of the region during almost two thousand years. It starts to function during the II century BC and continue to create conditions for the intercontinental trade until the end of the XV.

The Kyrgyzstan segment of the Fergana-Syr Darya Corridor reflects uninterrupted use of the Silk Roads over three major historical periods: antiquity, the early Middle Ages, and the Islamic era. In the ancient era, this corridor served as a pivotal artery for contacts between the Han Empire and the region of Davan (ancient Fergana), facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies. Zhang Qian's historic journey in 128 BCE along this route demonstrates its strategic importance in early Silk Road history.

The corridor’s role expanded in the early Middle Ages due to the patronage of the Turkic Khagans. During this period, trade along the route intensified, establishing connections with the the broader Central Asian region. The later Islamic period saw further flourishing of trade and cultural exchange, as the region became deeply integrated into the transcontinental Silk Road network.

This corridor is marked by an extraordinary density of archaeological and cultural sites that bear witness to the Silk Roads’ influence. Sites and settlements along this route, such as those in the Alai Valley, Osh, Uzgen illustrate the profound impact of the Silk Roads on urban development, architecture, and cultural practices: blending of local traditions with influences from distant civilizations, reflecting the dynamic and multi-layered cultural landscape of the region.

Criterion (ii): The vastness of the Fergana-Syrdarya Corridor of the Silk Roads, the extremely long period of its functioning, the diversity of the heritage sites and the forms of cultural exchange, the variety of the geographical environments are its components, clearly demonstrates numerous extensive interactions along the Silk Roads, especially between the nomadic steppe region on the north and north-east and agricultural/oasis/pastoral region on the south and south-west. As a result, this corridor of the Silk Roads enabled the dissemination of agricultural practices, artistic styles, and technological innovations across civilizations of the central part of the Eurasian Continent.

Criterion (iii): The corridor is an exceptional testimony to the cultural and economic systems that developed along the Silk Roads. It highlights the complex and enduring interactions between nomadic and sedentary cultures in Central Asia. The network of routes and settlements illustrates the evolution of trade, cultural exchange, and diplomacy across millennia. Key ancient cities and caravanserais bear witness to the logistical and architectural ingenuity that facilitated transcontinental trade. The integration of these settlements into the broader Silk Road network demonstrates their essential role in sustaining the flow of goods, ideas, and innovations.

Criterion (v): The Fergana-Syr Darya Corridor represents a remarkable example of traditional human settlement and land use shaped by the demands of the Silk Roads. The network of routes traverses challenging terrains, including mountain passes, and connects fertile river valleys, urban centers, and remote outposts. This demonstrates the innovative adaptation of human societies to their environment to sustain trade and cultural exchange. The strategic use of passes and valleys reflects a sophisticated understanding of the natural landscape.

The Fergana-Syr Darya Corridor contributed significantly to the exchange of goods, knowledge, and culture. It connected key economic and political centers such as Kashgar, Fergana, Semirechye, and beyond facilitating the trade of silk, precious metals, and other goods, while also fostering the spread of religions, scientific advancements, and artistic traditions.

Authenticity

All the proposed components of the Fergana-Syrdarya Corridor of the Silk Roads are the objects of the active archaeological research activities that have proven the good state of the authenticity of all components. The natural factors that could have the negative impact of the site are the climate changes, erosion and out-washing of the soil, temperature drops. As for the anthropogenic factors, the main risks are related to the economic exploitation of the territory inside and around the nominated components, modern constructions and uncontrolled tourism and visiting of the sites. As far as the authorized state institutions provide the adequate management and monitoring of the state of conservation of the nominated sites, the property will correspond to the factor of authenticity.

Integrity

The Silk Roads: Fergana-Syr Darya Corridor within Kyrgyzstan exhibits a high degree of integrity, encompassing a network of interconnected routes, settlements, and archaeological sites that collectively demonstrate the historical, cultural, and economic significance of this vital segment of the Silk Roads. The corridor includes key elements such as ancient urban centers, caravanserais, and associated cultural landscapes, all of which authentically reflect its role as a conduit for transcontinental trade, cultural exchange, and human interaction over millennia.

The physical remains along the corridor—fortifications, urban layouts, and infrastructure—remain largely intact and provide a coherent picture of its historical function and significance. These sites demonstrate the technical ingenuity and cultural diversity that characterized the Silk Roads, maintaining their original form and spatial relationships. The network also retains its geographic and topographic context. Certain vulnerabilities, including modern infrastructure development, urbanization, and environmental changes, pose potential risks to some sections of the corridor. To address these challenges, ongoing efforts to document, preserve, and manage the corridor’s cultural and natural assets are essential to safeguarding its integrity.