Museums in Zhetysu region -
Jeep tour from Almaty to Shanghai -
Shokan Valikhanov Memorial Museum is located in the village of Shanghai in the Zhetysu region. The museum was opened in 1985, it is a place where the memory of the great Kazakh scientist, traveler and educator Shokan Genghisovich Valikhanov (1835-1865) is kept. Although Shanghai village is small, the museum here plays an important role in preserving Valikhanov's legacy. The exhibition is dedicated to the life and work of Shokan Valikhanov: his childhood, education, famous trip to Kashgaria (1858-1859), scientific works on the history, ethnography and culture of the Turkic peoples. Among the exhibits are personal belongings, copies of manuscripts, maps, ethnographic sketches, as well as materials about his friendship with the Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky. The museum is often visited by schoolchildren, students and tourists interested in the history of Kazakhstan and the Great Silk Road. There is a monument to Shokan Valikhanov next to the museum and the grave of Chokan Valikhanov is located near the village.
How to get there and visit -
Shokan Valikhanov Museum is located 241 kilometers from the city of Almaty in the village of Shanghai, Zhetysu region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 44°14'40"N 78°14'45"E
Architecture -
The architecture of the Shokan Ualikhanov Museum is not just a building, but a deeply symbolic space inspired by the motifs of the Kazakh folk epic and the traditions of memorial structures like mazars. Her image is imbued with ancient cosmological concepts: the clearly defined corners of the building are associated with the four sides of the universe, a symbol of harmony and stability of the world in Kazakh mythology.
Each corner of the architectural composition is unique in size, creating a sense of vibrant, dynamic form. In the center of the building, massive wooden beams rush to the ceiling, converging into the so–called "knot of happiness" - a bizarre interweaving of colored cords, reminiscent of a cosmic center, where, according to popular beliefs, all levels of existence are connected. This image refers to the ancient idea of the center of the world, where heaven, earth and the underworld merge together.
The floor of the museum is designed as terraces, symbolizing the "seven layers of the earth" — the mythological structure of the cosmos. Climbing along a spiral trajectory around the central axis, the visitor seems to be climbing, immersing himself in the history, culture and spiritual world of the Kazakh people.
The interior of the museum resembles a yurt, a traditional nomadic dwelling that embodies harmony with nature and the cosmos. The color palette of the interior is designed in accordance with folk aesthetics:
- Red walls refer to the color of traditional dwellings,
- The black and red floor symbolizes the underworld,
- The white alabaster ceiling, floating at different heights, conveys the spirit of ancient decorative art and creates a feeling of lightness and light.
The lighting system is thought out to the smallest detail: it provides even, diffused light regardless of the time of day, allowing you to maximize the use of the entire space for exposure.
The facade of the museum is lined with soft pink limestone from Mangyshlak, a stone that gives the building warmth and nobility. The artistic design of the exhibition was carried out by the masters of the creative workshop "Kazmuseyrestavration", who combined scientific accuracy and artistic vision.
The museum includes an exhibition and lecture halls, as well as a storage facility. The total area of the exhibition is 454 square meters. Its creation involved archival and museum materials from Moscow, Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Omsk, Bishkek and Almaty, which underlines the scale of scientific and cultural cooperation.
Of particular value are the collections of traditional culture and everyday life of the Kazakhs, provided by the State Hermitage Museum and the State Museum of Ethnography of the Peoples of the USSR — these are real treasures that preserve the spirit of nomadic civilization.
Information -
Shokan Valikhanov was the first Kazakh scientist to receive a European education, and his work became a bridge between the cultures of East and West. His journey to Kashgaria (disguised as a merchant) was a feat – he collected unique data on the geography, politics and culture of the region, which was then closed to foreigners.
The Shokan Valikhanov Museum building in Shanghai village is a combination of a traditional Kazakh dwelling and elements of 19th-century manor architecture. The atmosphere of the era when Shokan lived and worked has been preserved here. The exposition is rich in rare materials – manuscripts, maps, copies of scientific papers, photographs, personal belongings of the scientist. Special attention is paid to his research on the way of life, customs and culture of the peoples of Central Asia, as well as his contribution to the development of ethnography and historical science. The museum is not just a place of memory, but also a center of cultural heritage. Guided tours, thematic exhibitions, and meetings dedicated to science and culture are held here. The territory around the museum is well maintained, next to it there is a monument to Shokan Valikhanov, which reminds of his importance for the history of Kazakhstan. Visiting this museum allows you to touch the legacy of the great son of the Kazakh people, to better understand his role in world science and to feel the connection of times. This place has become a point of attraction not only for tourists, but also for researchers, students and anyone interested in the history and culture of Kazakhstan.
Attractions nearby:
Zhongar-Alatau National Park
Taldykorgan city
Burkhan-Bulak Waterfall
Kora Gorge
Kora River
Kapal River
Karatal River
Koksu River
Tamshybulak Spring
Sievers Apple tree in Zhongar-Alatau Park
Semenov-Tyan-Shansky Peak
Dzungarian Alatau (Zhetysu)
Tekeli Stupa (suburgan)
Lake Miketovo
Kalakai Sanctuary
Bayan Zhurek settlement
Uygentas kurgan (stone hill)
Medieval town of Almalyk
Talapty Settlement
Maly Koytas settlement
Tasbas Settlement
Balpyk Bi Mausoleum
Kapal village
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