Kyrgyzstan sits astride some of the routes that made up what Richthoffen was later to call “The Great Silk Road” and in it served as a crossroads where many different peoples, religions and cultures met.  Along the shores of Lake Issyk Kul, both Genghiz Khan and Temerlane had residences.  Many of the world’s religions were once celebrated here, especially: Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.     
The Ruh-Ordo Tashkul-Ata Cultural Centre, on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul was commissioned in 2002 as a cultural “theme park” to commemorate and celebrate the historical heritage of the region – as a modern-day meeting place for peoples of all nationalities, faiths and cultures.  In Kyrgyz, the name means “spiritual place” and the large, attractive, parkland incorporates Buddhist Christian and Islamic places of worship. 
There is also a large concert hall (for which the lake makes a spectacular backdrop), large meeting rooms decorated with works of art and sculptures are found throughout the grounds – including monuments to artists and statesmen, (including Boris Yeltsin, the first president of the Russian Federation, who was a frequent visitor to Issyk Kul), and a number of balbals (statuettes which were probably grave markers erected by ancient nomads). 
The centre organizes cultural events such as traditional horse games and folklore shows.
The complex is still being developed with more facilities planned for the future.