Kyrgyzstan and China Launch Joint Initiative to Preserve Ancient Silk Road City

Kyrgyzstan and China have launched a joint initiative to preserve the Ak-Beshim archaeological site, the ruins of the ancient city of Suyab, which was a major Silk Road settlement in the Chui Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan.

This project marks a significant step in cultural cooperation between the two countries, focused on preserving shared heritage along one of history’s most storied trade routes, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.

The Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan and China’s Dunhuang Research Academy have established a joint laboratory for cultural heritage preservation, which will lead conservation efforts at Ak-Beshim.

Located 7 kilometers southwest of Tokmok, the site of Suyab was a prominent cultural and commercial center from the 5th to 8th centuries. It served as the capital of the Western Turkic Kaganate and a key hub for Sogdian merchants along the Chang’an-Tian Shan Corridor, an ancient Silk Road route currently nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Chinese sources suggest that Tang dynasty poet Li Bo (701-762/763) may have been born in Suyab. Archaeologists have also uncovered what is believed to be the oldest Christian structure found in Kyrgyzstan: a Nestorian church dating to the 7th or 8th century.

Preliminary fieldwork has already been conducted, and a conservation plan for Ak-Beshim has been drafted. The new lab is expected to serve as a regional center for cultural heritage protection, promoting research and conservation at other Silk Road sites across Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries.

Suyab declined in the 11th century with the rise of Balasagun, another historic city in the Chui Valley near the famed Burana Tower. Nevertheless, its historical significance continues to attract scholarly and public interest as Kyrgyzstan deepens its commitment to preserving regional cultural landmarks.

Officials from both countries emphasized that the project supports broader goals of cultural diplomacy and historical preservation, creating a bridge between ancient civilizations and contemporary international collaboration.