Esik State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve

The Esik State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve was established in 2010 on the site where, in 1970, the burial mound of a Saka prince was discovered. The museum was founded within the framework of the «Cultural Heritage» National Strategic Project, initiated by the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, in accordance with Government Resolution No. 43 dated January 30, 2010.

Located along the Great Silk Road, the Esik State Museum-Reserve is one of the key strategic sites contributing to the development of cultural tourism in Kazakhstan. On August 9, 2013, by Resolution No. 21-133 of the Almaty Regional Maslikhat, a protected zone of 422.7 hectares was designated for the museum-reserve. Today, in accordance with Resolution No. 372 of the Almaty Regional Administration dated December 17, 2024, regarding the approval of protection zones, construction regulation areas, and protected natural landscapes in Enbekshikazakh District, this territory includes 112 burial mounds belonging to the «Esik I» necropolis and the Rahat archaeological complex.

On June 26, 2018, by Resolution N06-330 of the Talgar District Administration, the territory of the Medieval Talgar settlement (20.8 hectares), which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, was transferred to the permanent management of the museum-reserve.

The museum’s core mission includes organizing research, cultural-educational, and tourism activities aimed at preserving and promoting historical and cultural heritage. Since 2011, with funding from the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the museum-reserve has implemented several scientific, technical, and applied research projects. In addition, it regularly hosts thematic lectures, seminars, expeditions, the International Scientific-Practical Conference «Esik Readings» and various other museum events.

The Esik Museum-Reserve houses four permanent exhibition halls: «History and Culture of the Saka,» «Discovery of the Golden Man,» «Hall Dedicated to K. Akishev,» and «Temporary Exhibitions Hall.» There is also a memorial room dedicated to archaeologist Bekmukhambet Nurmukhanbetov, one of the first researchers who uncovered the Golden Man.

In 2023, the museum-reserve received scientific accreditation for the third time and has held an archaeological excavation license since 2011. It maintains active partnerships with numerous cultural and scientific institutions both in Kazakhstan and abroad.

Visitors are welcome every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. While touring the museum-reserve, guests are required to follow the established guidelines: maintain cleanliness and silence, keep a safe distance from display cases, avoid touching artifacts, and minimize the use of flash when taking photographs.

Excursion Services (for groups up to 10 people)

In Kazakh and Russian: 1500 KZT

In foreign languages: 3000 KZT

For schoolchildren (Kazakh, Russian, English): 800 KZT

Thematic excursion: 1000-1500 KZT

Exhibition hosting: 10,000 KZT

Thematic lecture: 5000 KZT

Photo and video shooting: 15,000-30,000 KZT

For foreign citizens from CIS countries: 1500 KZT
For foreign citizens from other countries: 2000 KZT