Ordabasy National Historical and Cultural Reserve

The Ordabasy Reserve was established in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, N. A. Nazarbayev, dated May 26, 1993, No. 1213, «On the Establishment of the Ordabasy National Historical, Cultural, and Natural Reserve», based on the historical events that took place in Ordabasy and the region’s historical and cultural monuments.

Ordabasy is a historical, cultural, and spiritual treasure of the Kazakh people - a sacred land where decisions that shaped the nation’s destiny were made. In the spring of 1726, by the will of the wise Kazakh biys Tole, Kazybek, and Aiteke, a Grand Assembly was held on Mount Ordabasy. At this gathering, a collective decision was reached to unite the people and launch a national liberation struggle against the Dzungar invaders. At the same assembly, upon the proposal of Kazybek Bi, Abulkhair Khan of the Junior Zhuz was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Kazakh army, and Kanzhyghaly Bogenbai Batyr raised the battle banner.

As a result of this unity, in 1727 the Kazakh forces inflicted a crushing defeat on the Kalmyk army near the Bulanty and Bileuti rivers, at a site known as «Kara Sıyır.» This place later entered history under the name «Kalmakkyrylg’an» («The Slaughter of the Kalmyks»).

Inspired by this victory, the Kazakh army went on to defeat the Dzungar forces in 1729 at the Battle of Anyrakay, near Lake Balkhash, thereby preserving the independence of the Kazakh land. The total area of the Ordabasy Reserve covers 1,134 hectares.

Within this territory, there are 28 historical and cultural monuments, including 10 of republican significance, as well as 140 burial mounds. The museum collection preserves nearly 1,000 artifacts. Today, Ordabasy - regarded as the spiritual Kaaba of the Kazakh people - attracts growing interest from historians and travelers from around the world each year.

In this regard, the «Ordabasy Visitor Center», constructed within the reserve-museum complex, provides high-quality services for visiting tourists. Our primary goal is to preserve and pass on the invaluable heritage that reflects the deep history and culture of the Ordabasy region to future generations.